Meet the Editors
by Blake Harrsch
Editor in Chief of Barnstorm Journal
Dear Readers,
It is my great delight to introduce you to the newest energy harnessers: my troupe of barnstormers, and your editors of Volume 18!
We’ve only just come around to calling ourselves second-years, meaning we’re in the second and final year of the MFA program at UNH, and now we have another great shock to contend with—week after week, we get to review your impressive submissions and welcome new contributors to the journal. How lucky are we!
And the best part? Delivering this wonderful writing and artwork straight to your screens in a hassle-free, no-subscription-needed, online issue! Watch out, Bezos.
Of course, there’s a whole team behind every journal, and I’d like you to meet ours. And because its my first letter to you, I thought I’d offer a special peek behind the curtain—or, better yet, through the barn doors—to introduce the Barnstorm staff!
Alongside valuable writing advice, each editor has shared a fun fact inspired by their role, giving you a chance to get to know the people behind our pages.
From September 2026 through May 2027, we’ll be leading Barnstorm, and we’re thrilled to officially launch Volume 18.
We hope you enjoy reading Issue 1 as much as we enjoyed putting it together.
I know I couldn’t be more excited for our year of barnstorming ahead!
(though I do need to brush up on my aviation skills…)
With gratitude,
Blake Harrsch
Editor in Chief