How We Were in 2024
The stories and collaborations on Juke made it all worthwhile...
I don’t know about you, but I’ve had a rough year. Beautiful in a lot of ways, but rough. And, though I’m normally not a big one for optimism, I am tentatively looking forward to 2025. I know this upcoming year will have its own surprises to handle and trials to bear, but it’s hard to imagine any year feeling quite as tumultuous as the past one.
The one thing that has been a touchstone for me, even as I’ve worried and lost sleep over everything else this year, has been Juke. This page continues to be a place of friendship and fruitful collaboration, and every relationship I’ve developed through its creation has been a pure joy. For that, I can only credit the astonishingly gifted group of writers/artists/musicians who agree to publish with me. And, also, I have to credit every single one of you. Every reader who has joined us has played a part, just by granting us your time and your attention. You’ve really made this a lovely place to be.
To honor this past year of work, I’d like to revisit a few of the pieces you especially enjoyed and highlight the incredible variety of voices we’ve shared here. I hope this list reminds you of a few of your own favorites, or else introduces you to something special you might have missed the first time. Looking back through the year’s work, I was bowled over by how many great pieces we published.
I cannot thank each of you enough for being a part of our community. My hopes and warmest wishes are with you right now. And I’m glad to have you with me as we discover what the new year will bring…
Now, a few highlights from 2024…
*Note: If your email cuts off this post before the end, just click the title of the piece to read the whole thing on our site.
A couple favorites from Damon Falke…
Briefer Than Shadows
From Paul Vlachos…
Motel 9000
Gas Stations at Night
Poetry and new music from Ned Mudd…
My own essays…
Pescadero
The End of Everything: Part One
New works from poet Matt Layne…
Meat & Three
On Grief
From artist Tabby Ivy…
From poet Sue Cauhape…
In the Midst of Weeds
From Anthony Head…
Fran Gardner’s new series of Creative Prompts…
From poet Jodie Meyn…
This poem has a hole in it
A new contributor, the writer and collage artist Abigail Frankfurt…
Saved from drowning
And another new voice, Patrick McCarty…
Tejon Pass
And lastly, it was a great year of collaborations. Here are a few of my favorites…
And the day ends...
Before we send out 2024, we have one last piece publishing before the new year. Look forward to Monday, when you’ll read a new piece from Damon Falke.
Thank you again for all you do.
Your friend,
Tonya M
Tonya Morton is, among other things, the publisher of Juke.
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What an amazing crew. Thank you for including one of my poems in this list.
I'm overwhelmed. Thank you for all you do to encourage writers.