'Each issue of Island is a privilege to produce and is a testament to a community of talented creatives who can transform ideas into actions and onto the pages in front of you. In this issue, in addition to our usual complement of great new fiction, nonfiction, poetry and arts features, I’m delighted to see the first fruits emerging from two special projects curated by long-time Island advocates: ‘Island Conversations’ curated by Danielle Wood (see Danielle’s introduction on p96), and Island’s ‘Graphic Narratives’ project curated by Joshua Santospirito. Both projects will extend across the three print issues of 2023, so you can expect plenty more great writing and art in Island 167, 168 and 169. Consider taking out a subscription so that you can enjoy the journey with us. Sadly, this is Ben Walter’s last issue as our Fiction Editor. Ben has brought so much to the team, also having been our inaugural Online Editor and curating Island’s nature writing project. We will miss him.' (Editorial introduction)