Celebrating Ten Editions!

Greetings dear reader!

     Welcome to our happy milestone issue of confetti—ten remarkable editions over five years of literary exploration and artistic expression. Ten-and-a-half, if you include our sensational science fiction summer special, which expanded our creative reach. What began as a shared vision has blossomed into a vibrant platform celebrating diverse voices.

     Our editorial team extends profound gratitude to every contributor and reader who has been part of this remarkable journey.

Fall Features and Highlights—Testaments of Enduring Love

     Our featured writer in this edition is Marilyn Pellini. Her prolific work as contributor to several newspapers and journals showcases her homespun, sensible, and sentimental style. We share excerpts from her Dear Al,: A Widow’s Struggles and Remembrances. Though dubbed a “grief book,” Pellini’s work is touching and inspiring—a testament to enduring love. She takes readers through the stages of healing, rather than the stages of grief, after the tragic loss of her beloved husband Al.

     Our second feature is a moving and heartfelt celebration of the life and poetry of Mary Coughlin. We dedicate her In Memoriam page to the remembrance of her work and the enduring love of her husband, Bud Coughlin.

     The theme of enduring love can be found in many of the stories and poems, and this issue also sees the return of a few confetti regulars. Nick Romeo and Micheal Brockley’s eclectic poetry are exhibited alongside the works of Don Reilly, B.C. Nance, and newcomer Jubilant Lemon. A. Kahn shares another potent poem, and Craig Kirchner delivers thoughtful and surprising verse.

     We are excited to share cover art contributed by Italian artist Mario Loprete whose “Italians Do It Better” plays in the etymology of confetti. Creations of concrete in contrasting monochromatic, these “frozen treats” and their stark gray-and-white motif elevates our colorful logo, making it pop!

     The word “confetti” has Italian roots reaching back to 1815 and meant “small pellets made of lime or soft plaster,” used in Italy during carnival by revelers for pelting one another in the streets. It originates from the Italian plural of confetto, or “sweetmeat,” and from Latin confectum, confectus. We couldn’t help but see stone and confectionary connections to the history of the word confetti and our cover artist’s work.

     Our back cover, “Midtown East Glitter” by Manfred Hauben, is another play in contrasts—capturing the sprinkling of sparkling confetti-esque lights on a dark city backdrop transitioning to the colorful movement of taillights.

     Under our About tab on our main menu, we’ve added a Promotions page where you can download our logo, flyers, or even our QR code for your website, emails, social media, or other ways to share confetti. And as always, please encourage your readers and fans to leave comments at the bottom of the works. Everyone loves good feedback!

     Finally, we’d like to welcome margie marek to our editorial team. Her enthusiasm and diligence are felt throughout this edition, both in her contributions and work behind the scenes.

     From all our editors and selectors, our quick and quintessential webmaster, and on behalf of Westchester Writers Workshop and the Somers Library, I would like to thank you for your submissions, your readership, and your support.

Enjoy confetti and keep on reading!

~Gabriel Sebastian
Editor-in-chief, confetti
November 2025