Six months have passed since François Bereaud and I collected 21 pieces together for the first Roi Fainéant Press special issue. Summer brought us heat in all its forms—fire, revenge, lust, blazing suns—and it also had some sweetness to it, reminiscent of summer fruit and happy times. But the warmth and lazy days of summer only last so long. Soon after we closed out that issue, I told François I wanted to do another with a theme of Cold if the Press Roi team would agree to have us back.
Thanks to the original team, Tiff Storrs, Kellie Scott-Reed and Marianne Bartesky-Peterson, as well as our fellow “new lazy king” Margot Stillings for agreeing to let François and I take the helm for one winter issue.
I joked in a tweet that we wanted literal, figurative, metaphorical, metaphysical and astronomical cold. And I think we can say we’ve got it all. These 35 pieces represent half a dozen genres and evoke even more emotions. It is an overall darker collection than the summer Heat issue, but with glimmers of light and hope.
I want to thank the overwhelming number of writers—double that of Heat—who sent in work to us, at a busy time of year. I found something to admire in every piece I read. Saying no to beautiful pieces, writing we know people have dedicated their time and heart to, remains the hardest part of this gig. I hope everyone who received a no continues to send in work to Roi Fainéant and other journals.
Lastly, I want to say I am so grateful to have met François, who is an excellent writer, a thoughtful reader, and a gracious and humble co-editor who was willing to work with me on this special issue even if it meant zooming during winter break. Whatever the season, whatever the temperature, he’s a wonderful writer friend and partner.
I look forward to many more collaborations with him and the rest of the RF team, whatever form they might take!
--Melissa Flores Anderson
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In the summer of 1998, I spent one of the coldest nights of my life in perhaps the hottest place I’d ever been, Lagos, Nigeria. The air conditioning in my western hotel room was set to freezing and I shivered under a thin blanket anticipating and fearing an unplanned cross-country bus ride the next day. I’d read both The Heart of Darkness and Things Fall Apart in preparation for the trip and neither helped me as I tossed and turned, wondering why I’d left my family to take this solo journey.
In this issue, extraordinary writers, from across the country and globe, take us on beautifully rendered Cold journeys in expected and unexpected places. It was a privilege to curate these tales and a heartache to decline so many fine pieces of writing. We had an outpouring of submissions and you’ll find familiar names alongside first timers to the press.
This issue would never have occurred without the determination, organization, and literary passion of my exceptional co-editor, Melissa. She kept us on track, working both fast and slow to select the exceptional pieces here. If you haven’t read her writing, do so.
It’s a privilege to be part of the Roi Fainéant community. I’m so appreciative of the support and inclusivity in all aspects of the press. Much love to the team that makes this happen every two weeks.
Enough from me, you have a lot to read. Whether your favorite part of the sundae is the cold ice cream or the warm hot fudge sauce, take your time, you’re in for a treat.
Francois