The Litterbox

 Hello Victoria:

Thanks for Issue #9. It arrived like a hand grenade: no acceptance slip, no preparation, just mailbox hipshake fallout, dripping with Winans, Lifshin, Alice Olds, and all those Detroit coffee grounds. Great issue. Now onward . . . .

- Lawrence Welsh (El Paso, TX)
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Dear Victoria:

Thanks for your wonderful letter. I was definitely NOT trying to bribe you with the five dollar bill I sent last time (I'm sure you would come far more expensive than five bucks!). No I was guilt tripping because I know it costs $$ to send the magazine to England. Did I ever tell you how much I enjoy it? . . . .

- Mike Hoy (Sheffield, UK)
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Victoria,

If I knew what you looked like I would paint a picture of you as the patron pagan goddess, but since I don't I will write you a quick note as I sip on raspberry wheat ale . . . .

Hey hey hey. Howz things been? Sorry you ain't heard from me in a bit, no real excuses other than the usual ones: lack of time & sanity, too many hangovers, too many hours at the job, blah, blah . . . .

- William Taylor, Jr. (Santa Cruz, CA)
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Hello Victoria;

Gawd, it's beautiful here now . . . gloomy overcast sky, quiet, alone, beer and whiskey on the premises, cigarettes humming in smokey tones, no woman yakking, no child(ren) eating my brain waves . . . just me and a cool breeze through an open window at my right side. It's almost enough for all things to come together, maybe even make sense for once, for a second or two . . . Well, I guess I'll clamp it off here . . . .

Hey, send a photo if you get a chance. Life is dull up here . . . I almost forget what big city gals look like.

Peace whenever it happens,
Mark Senkus (Sault Ste. Marie, MI)
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Dear Yoo-hoo Girl:

[First letter]
I'm enclosing one hard-earned buck for Issue #1. I'd like to know more about you and De'Pressed. You know, Tim Scott should warn us about De'Pressed, if he's going to send us your way!

[Second letter]
. . . I've never encountered someone so elated over receiving a fucking dollar before! I can't help but wonder what ten would reap! It leaves a lot to the imagination, lover girl . . . .

‘Look forward to harassing you again. [But] I don't think Victoria's got any secrets left.

- Walter Zimmerle (Madison, OH)
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Hey, Girlfriend!

[First letter]
Your latest issue arrived with the warm, toasty aroma of the most potent espresso, dear . . . I'm not sure what it is, but the coffee shop issue has a slightly calmer, less manic vibe than previous issues . . . it really suits the mood I'm in right now . . . But, given the subject matter of De'Pressed #10 (hedonism), I suppose I'd better prepare myself for some rollercoaster thrills, yes?! Y'know, there must be something, somewhere in my psyche that'll fit your next issue . . . Maybe I can scam my therapist's notes and see what she's got written down . . .

[Second letter]
In response to my apprehension about my ability to do web design that rocks, he says: Let me start by saying that I think you're full of shit, Victoria! Whenever you get the inspiration (and the hardware!) cyberspace will welcome you with open arms and legs . . .

- Robin Wylie (Ann Arbor, MI)
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V.:

[First letter]
I'm getting plenty of stuff published elsewhere, but I always like to know you're out there and printing my sordid little scratchings . . . I think I'm starting to get used to your aloof style of publication. I thrive on feminine rejection. Live for it, actually.

[Second letter]
I was needing a dose of D.I. real bad when #9 got here. I've been pulling nothing but bad news outta that old mailbox for the last two weeks. That issue was just what I needed to get my mind off myself for a while. Bills, ‘n work, ‘n rejections from lit mags have been keeping me up at night. It was nice to see a real friend show up.

- Denworthy (Fort Worth, TX)
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Dear Victoria:

So, you're going to the Internet? Tell me you'll still be doing a paper version! Living out here in the styx with no computer, I'm always a bit disappointed when a zine going strictly Internet!

- Gary Jurechka (Dixon, IL)
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Victoria!!

Hot rag you got, babe!! Thanx 4 considering my(nude) photo for cover (of coffeehouse issue)—centerfold would've been okay, too. You've got great layout, graphics and a sense of attitude—yes! I agree with what you wrote about Alice O-E. She's really good, but over done.

- Paul Weinman (Albany, NY)
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Victoria . . .

Thank you for send Issue #8! It was great to see an article by Ian Stewart in your mag. He's great! Also, just who is this John Sweet? I swear I'm falling quickly in love! He's such a wonderful poet! . . . .

- Hyacinthe Raven (Cleveland, OH)
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Victoria:

Very cool seeing #9 show up in my mailbox. Excellent stuff in there. Thanx for including "Landscape". It's good to hear you have at least one reader who likes what I'm doing.

Rough start this year. Rejection letters that read "we like your social conscience and violence and lyricism—lose the social conscience and violence, and we'd like to print some of your work." Had one guy publish a few of my things, then one day write to tell me my work is too dark, and I should read the Bible to help me see the light. He was kind enough to list several passages he thought might be particularly enlightening. What a strange little person. Oh well . . . .

- John Sweet (Endicott, NY)
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