This month, Paul Halas interviewed the well-known illustrator David Melling, famous for his children’s books and based in Abingdon. But David Melling has a dark side—and we explore it in this issue.

Tina Bexson, a veteran and heroic journalist, laid up in hospital with her hands bandaged somewhere in the Sinai Peninsula, sent us a slick, polished, and disturbing vignette titled The Mosque of Timna. Really, it should have been published by The New Yorker—but we were lucky enough to get hold of it first.

Ulises Paniagua Olivares is a force of nature. His Spanish vocabulary astounds even native speakers, and he possesses what we call poder de convocatoria—the power to convene. This marks the fifth iteration of the International Colloquium of Poetry and Philosophy, which he organized. Among the great poets who took part was José Pulido, a journalist and prolific writer respected throughout Latin America but not widely known elsewhere. We hope this interview and selection of poems will give you a taste of his remarkable work.

Amal Chattarjee, a strategist, divides his time between several European countries and universities. He is a Senior Course Tutor for the University of Oxford’s MSt (Master’s Programme) in Creative Writing and has contributed several stories to Ars Notoria. This latest one is particularly well-constructed and fascinating, touching on art, love, change, and time in a way only a highly accomplished writer can.

One of Ars Notoria’s star writers is Arun Kapil, the punk food poet, who continually opens new horizons for us. His latest article is an experiment in creative fusion, issuing us a “licence to create”—with a few provisos. Try making the recipe he’s shared this week: a walnut and celery leaf risotto with asafoetida swagger. An open-minded Italian might just enjoy it. Brilliant, as usual.

Norman B. Schwartz opens our eyes to Hollywood history, this time exploring the relationship between Alfred Hitchcock and David O. Selznick. Schwartz provides background on both men and shows how they came together to make award-winning films like Rebecca.

Lucy Hall has written a moving story about twin brothers separated by bereavement. A young but seasoned and talented writer, Lucy is moving to New York to pursue a postgraduate degree in creative writing.

We also feature an article on Morris dancing—a subject that should adorn every literary-cultural magazine. David Rees discusses its wilder, more macho side.

From Karl Rutledge and Roger Murphy, we have two moving and sombre poems on separate subjects. Previously published together as The New Malden Poets, their collaboration is in danger of becoming a movement. One poem is titled Evensong, the other Psalm for Today.

James Tweedie, a journalist who has worked for many well-known publications (including a stint as international editor of The Morning Star), explains the war between Israel and Iran, with the USA looming in the background. The title is self-explanatory: ‘The 12-Day War of Lies’.

Phil Hall, taking advantage of his position as executive editor, has written two articles: one on the dangers of legalising euthanasia, the other on the advantages of sousveillance. Go figure.

Finally, Pete Field has contributed a cartoon on the subject weighing heavily on all our minds—one driving the world mad with grief: the Israeli death machine.

While they ban rappers for opposing it, the Israeli Defence Force lays out food, only to kill those who come to take it—like rats. Let’s not fool ourselves: your government and mine are supporting that regime. Shame on us.