Editor's Note
Greetings, friends! We’re thrilled to bring you issue 51—an open-themed collection of thirty exceptional works spanning fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, photography, translation, and comics. Each piece was chosen with care by our editorial team, and together they form a vivid, surprising, and heartfelt tapestry of voices.
This issue marks a new look for carte blanche: after many conversations about whether to have thumbnails accompanying each piece on our digital platform, we decided to deepen our connection with the visual arts community by soliciting a work from a Canadian artist. We are pleased to feature Angeline Simon’s photographic collage work, “kong kong II,” in this new space. We hope the mosaic of rafters and foliage and weathered paper encourage you to discover the fantastic pieces behind them, as well as Simon’s full work. Special thank you to photography editor, Shaney Herrmann, for going the extra mile to make this issue as beautiful as it is.
Curated by Liana Cusmano, the fiction section features five compelling stories. In “Misty” by Rachel Mattingly, a missing dog deepens the fractures within an already strained family, while “Free Range” by Amber Nuyens follows Jaime as she navigates the anxious thrill of stepping into a gay bar for the first time
Cate McNeil, selected four thoughtful works of creative nonfiction for this issue, including “Why She Sings” by Eve Krakow - a reflection on the author’s lifelong connection to choir singing, and how that bond was tested and reshaped during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Shaney Herrmann, our photography editor, has curated four evocative visual pieces - among them a work by Angeline Simon, whose layered imagery sets the tone for our cover.
From seasoned voices to emerging talents, poetry editor Veronique Synott brings together ten striking poems, including “Bildungsproprietor” by celebrated Montreal poet D.M. Bradford and “home when you return” by 13-year-old Mazzy Sleep.
The translation section, curated by Nicola Danby, showcases three thoughtful French-to-English renderings that highlight the art of interpretation - including “less and less” by Neil Smith, a graceful translation of work by Jean-Christophe Réhel.
Comics editor, Gabrielle Cole, brings us four standout pieces, including “Video Store” by Kaya Davies—a wistful trip back to childhood VHS aisles—and “playing worms” by Josie Levin, where two curious worms meet and things get delightfully weird.
As always, we’re deeply grateful to our outstanding contributors for trusting us with their work. A special thanks to our managing editor, Jade Palmer, whose steady hand guides the production of carte blanche, and to our stellar editorial team, who shape each issue with care and creativity.
As I type this on a summery, cool evening, I find myself eager for the full warmth of the season to arrive. Wherever you are, I hope the weather is kind and the hours gentle—perfect conditions for diving into this issue. Happy reading, and may these words and works linger.
Greg Santos
Editor-in-Chief
carte blanche magazine
Tiohtià:ke/Montréal, June 2025