“All our times have come
Here but now they’re gone
Seasons don’t fear The Reaper…”
--- Blue Oyster Cult

For those of you who follow this ‘Zine you just might have noticed something downright
peculiar last month. In fact, considering all the messages I have received I am certain
there is a fair bit of consternation that our favourite Art-Lit free-zine missed its first
deadline. I feel it appropriate at this time to set the record straight.

You see it all started with a 40 oz bottle of Tequila, an 8-Ball and a hooker.

Well, that’s one of the crazy theories anyway. Some folks have wondered if I’d just up
and abandoned the ole’ information super-highway. Others, while communicating with
my wife, volunteered to ‘chip in’ to cover any necessary ransom fees in case Bolivian
guerrillas were holding me in an attempt to raise capital for the next revolution.

The truth is far more mundane than all that.

Life got complicated. My wife lost her job which led to no small amount of turmoil
inside Casa Paré. And then the real whammy hit – I got the big – bad H1N1 FLU bug.
For a few weeks, there were days I could barely get out of bed. This sick germ would
leave me sapped of energy and just wanting to crawl somewhere, close my eyes and
wonder which gods I had defied and how best could I plead for mercy.

The good news is I am back in the swing of things and hope everyone enjoys this issue –
compiled from October submissions and celebrating Hallowe’en throughout with a
variety of pictures from RKYV folks, clearly having a costumed blast!

Regular columnists Tom Rossini, Larissa Gula, Brad Bellmore & Pauline Paré are here
again to share their thoughts, opinions, incite & wit. RKYV ONLINE is fortunate to have
their continued support and it is a privilege to share their columns with all of you. I am
also pleased to present a creepy, fun, & new short story from contributor Patrick J. Nestor
Jr. entitled “Silent.” Hopefully you get as much of a kick out of it as I did.

Our featured artist of the month is Roger A. Wilbanks, check out his addictive Web Comic “The
Portland Express” – ya just might get hooked!

http://theportlandexpress.smackjeeve...

This issue we are once again fortunate to be able to share a variety of art & poetry from
our contributors – if you particularly enjoy a certain piece don’t hesitate to let them
know!

It is my intent to get production back on schedule… so the next issue of RKYV should be
released in about one week [since most of the submissions have still been sent in, despite
my regrettable lateness]. RKYV # 30 will predominantly focus on November submissions… but if you have something you’d really like to include in that ish please let me know and send it in ASAP. After that we should be back on schedule for the Christmas Special – to be released in the 1st week of January, 2010. Whew…

Enough of my blabbering, on to the good stuff!

“I suppose I should collect my books
And go back to school.”
--- Rod Stewart

The summer ends and with it the time for idle days at the beach. For our children,
moaning and groaning it is time to head on back fer some more of that fancy book
learning. For ourselves it can be an opportunity to devote extra time to our never ending
back-log of projects.

Whether it is a leaky roof that needs fixing before winter or some creative time to
express yourself… we all have stuff that piles up.

Here at RKYV ONLINE we’ve, lately, devoted more energy to showcasing
bigger names and talents as a means of sharing with you – our readers, contributors and
developing artists – what is possible when you truly invest in your own creativity. These
pros got where they are today through hard work and commitment to their crafts and I
encourage you all to take something away from that.

I hope you enjoy the interviews with Allen Freeman & Jimmy Palmiotti and
perhaps find some insight into what it takes to be a professional.

We’ve got loads of goodies for you as well, this month… so I’ll keep this brief.
Read on and enjoy the Art – Lit ‘mash up’ brought to you by…. RKYV ONLINE.

To every thing there is a season,
and a time to every purpose under heaven
Ecclesiastes 3:1

Welcome to RKYV ONLINE.
For new readers, I would like to take a moment and explain what this mag is all about. Each and every month RKYV receives submissions of poetry, art, photography, opinions and short
stories. We do have our regular contributors, however, anyone is welcome to participate.
These submissions are gathered and published over the web in e-book and PDF formats.

We also take the time each month to interview a chosen artist and highlight their work on our
cover and in a feature article. This month is no different. We are pleased to feature Elisa Féliz, an up and coming comic artist and graphic designer. As you’ve already seen a glimpse of her dynamic work on this month’s cover, you can tell this is a talented young woman.

Check out her feature article for more of Elisa’s work, her background and links
to even more of her incredibly cool stuff.

I’d like to digress for a moment if I may and speak about, what has been called, by some,
“The Summer that NEVER was…” – LOL. Okay, so here in Canada at least, folks have
been moaning about this past summer and lost opportunities to go to the beach, etc etc.
But ya know what? It happens… use this time as a chance to get caught up on other
projects.

Have you been meaning to clean the gutters or repair some shingles on the roof?
Well that can be a drag in 90° + weather, now that things have been cooler it’s not so bad
doing such chores.

Maybe you have a farm or even just a small garden and you always want your plants / crops to thrive and receive enough water? Well, this summer certainly provided enough rain.

Maybe ya just wish you could have watched more pretty girls walk by scantily clad in the summer heat… well, I guess you were screwed on that one.

Anyhow, for me it was a chance to do more writing, some painting [having some fun with acrylics] and devote a little more time to hanging out with the kids [a writer’s block is easily cured by a living room floor tickle fight].

Has this been your experience as well? Has the summer of 2009 been a productive one
for you, creatively?

Well, in that case I invite you to share the fruits of your imagination with the rest of us here at RKYV ONLINE! You can post your creations on anyone of a number of online sites [Facebook, Xanga, Bebo, Blogger, Google Groups] or you can email me directly and I will make sure your submission gets included in an upcoming issue for everyone to enjoy.

This month we received some wonderful poetry from a variety of contributors; one short
story from regular columnist Larissa Gula and a second from yours truly that will be
published in a series of installments. We’re also happy to direct our readers to some interesting and thought provoking columns from Jon Biermann & Brad Bellmore as well
as some entertaining reviews from Brad, Larissa and my lovely wife Pauline Paré.

Food columnist Christina Marchetti embarks on the 1st of a series of articles exploring
Japanese Cuisine, its culture and traditions. I don’t know about you, but mouth is
watering and my chopsticks are ready!

Many thanks, of course, to the continued support and participation of numerous artists
who are individually credited throughout this issue. I am awed by the visual inventions of
our contributors and inspired to try, in turn, to reach new heights of creativity myself.

I suppose that’s quite enough of my blabbering on and on for another 30 days.

Take care and don’t be ashamed to daydream.

r. j. pare
EIC RKYV ONLINE e-Zine