This summer BR was delighted to be joined by Amanda Schoenberg, an intern from Smith College in the U.S. Amanda had just finished a year of study in Seville and joined us for the months of June and July. Apart from reading countless submissions - most oft comment "cheesy," so future submitters beware - Amanda undertook the project of investigating the Catalan poetry scene. This came about in response to the many e-mails we’ve received asking about what’s happening in poetry here. Allen Ginsberg asked the same question on his last visit to Barcelona in 1994. So, approaching the subject as an outsider and a non-Catalan speaker, Amanda met with seven poets from the local avant-garde and in two separate round-table discussions and one individual meeting, conducted in Spanish, she delved for some answers and uncovered a range of opinions on such topics as the Catalan language, the lack of criticism here in Catalunya, the scarcity of women poets, etc. Accompanying the interview we have RealAudio readings from the poets in their native Catalan, a "musical" treat for poets everywhere.

And here’s a scoop: BR editor Marcia Morgado managed to catch up with Ernesto Mestre, Cuban-American author of the recently released and critically acclaimed The Lazarus Rumba. In this candid and lively interview he speaks of his new novel, his Cuban roots, politics and religion, literature, and his homosexuality. It’s hot - don’t miss it.

In celebration of the Nabokov centenary, BR presents a Nabokov Quiz to test your knowledge of the man and his works. Nothing too obscure, so jump in and give it a try. The winner will receive a book of choice of any of Nabokov’s works or any book of Nabokov criticism or biography We will continue to receive answers until October 15th. If there is more than one correct submission, the winner will be selected from a draw. All winners’ names will be listed. This is our third BR literary quiz and due to the popular response we’ve received it will now be a regular feature. [Next issue:  Beckett Quiz]

Check out the book reviews and our Back Issues. We’d like to bring your attention each issue to a "Pick from Past Issues" in case you missed out. In keeping with our two futuristic stories this issue, we’ve picked Michael Faber’s "Fish" and Lenny T’s " Music As Weapon, " both from Issue 9.

That’s it! Read and enjoy . . . we’ll be back around mid-October.

Jill Adams, editor