The Summer issue brings with it a few new things for M-E: we have our first contest sponsor. Dinner and A Murder. This wonderful outfit is sponsoring our Fall contest (winners in the Winter issue)-- see the contest page for details. Prize winners will get gift certificates.

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The Contest is also a little different -- instead of a theme, we're giving you a first sentence. I'm sure there are as many avenues to follow from that starter as there are writers.

Mysterical-E also welcomes two new additions to our staff:
Tim Matson, you all know because he's placed in two of our contests. We had to do something to get him out of the way so that other writers had a chance to win. So we kicked him upstairs and put him on staff where his talents and creativity will make Mysterical-E a better place to spend some time.
BJ Bourg is also a familiar name to many of you -- he's a talented writer and works in law enforcement. What more could we ask? BJ will be running a column but he will also do some editing work. Try and argue with him over edits he makes. He's the guy with the gun. You'll change that paragraph without an argument, right?

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Gin, our fabulous, wonderful, talented AD has done it again. Summer is a lot steamier because of the cover she's cooked up for us. I know beads of sweat are trickling right down my.... oh, excuse me. Sorry. Anyway... the illustrations for this issue are particularly good; the artists Gin has assembled are terrific.

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Congratulations to the winners of the Beefcake, Babes, and Blood Contest -- there were a number of entries that made the choice a difficult one. And a hearty thanks to the judges.

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For those of you interested in mystery flicks, the 12th Philadelphia Gay and Lesbian Film Festival is premiering the second in the Donald Strachey mystery series. A Shock to the System follows a successful production of the film of Richard Stevenson's book Third Man Out, the first of the Donald Strachey mysteries. Produced for Here! TV a cable network, these movies (the first is on DVD) are worth a look and the books are certainly worth your time.

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Enjoy the Summer issue.