The Detroit Artists Workshop presents:

WORK/6 (a Workbook of Generations)

           Since January 2008, the WORK/6 edition has taken shape in a very exciting way. Two general themes have emerged: the mentoring aspect, as well as a broad sense of social consciousness. Both of these motifs are evident in the groundbreaking lecture / essay "Writing, Social Change & Revolution" by Ed Sanders, the featured author of this issue. Sanders is a nationally-acclaimed poet and long-time cultural activist; see "The Scholar-Activist" and other topics in Sanders' essay.

           Then, if you think Sanders is a hard act to follow, we offer an excerpt from the travel journal of Mr. Ambassador of Konsciousness himself, John Sinclair, bringing you a report of New Orleans and his attendance at Indian practice. Afterward, there's more societal-savvy themes in store, from ML Liebler, Donna Vinstra, Wardell Montgomery, Janet Anderson, and James Semark. Brita Brookes provides an incredible journal of the Longest Walk, a Native American sacred journey that is virtually unknown outside the First Nation community at this time. Finally, for variation, we give you the lyrical and inspiring song-poetry of Robin Eichele.

SECRET MYTHOLOGY OF WORK/6: Meet me at the Handa Wanda. Have you been there?

          Meanwhile, back on the planet, the list of writers continues to expand. We've asked folks to give us writing with threads similar to those that have emerged so far. Lately, we're reading manuscripts from a younger generation, a generation that is as concerned about the whales and Darfur as they are their own streetcorner and backyard. The younger generation is preparing to leave their study halls and classrooms, and to walk out into the world, a world that is very chaotic, very dysfunctional, and very polluted -- and they are full of anxiety about the planet. To them, we extend our hand in solidarity.

          We're still collecting ms. (poems, narratives, plays, essays) and we're taking our time -- even if we need to extend the submission deadline again. But good news! The pace has picked up since January, mainly due to our ability to provide everyone with examples of where WORK/6 is going. As a result, people have a better understanding of what we're accomplishing, and we look forward to your WORK, and for our WORK getting in your hands as soon as possible!

          Also, FYI, the Active Anthologies of WORK/1 and WORK/2 are online for your surfing enjoyment. The genius and intensity of writing in that era was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

          -- Yours, James Semark and Robin Eichele, WORK/6 editors

Ed Sanders, John Sinclair, Andrei Codrescu, Robin Eichele, James Semark , ML Liebler, Janet Anderson, Wardell Montgomery, Donna Vinstra, Christopher Harter, Brita Brookes, Professor ARTURO