Welcome to the first issue of C21 Literature from its new home as part of the Open Library of the Humanities. There has been an undeniable and unavoidable gap between Issues Three and Four of our journal due to a change of publishers. The contemporary publishing industry is struggling to keep up with the changes engendered by digital dissemination, and academic publishing is no exception. As a result, it can be no surprise that many smaller academic presses are facing real challenges in terms of viability and future-fit, while bigger journal presses and mainstream publishers are re-modelling their catalogues and lists in an attempt to tackle the fluid and fast-paced demands of a twenty-first century intellectual readership.
Moving publisher is a profoundly positive development for C21 Literature. The journal was founded to examine the genres, forms of publication and circulation of 21st-century writing, so being part of an organisation that is committed to pushing the boundaries of contemporary academic publishing is a real marriage of minds. The editorial board is supportive of the ethos and agenda of the OLH remit (which will allow the journal to become fully open access but with no author fees), and excited by the new possibilities our collaboration will bring. We thank the OLH, the board and the authors in this issue, for their patience during the transition process, and look forward to more frequent issues and special issues forthcoming. We also continue to invite expressions of interest for special issues and creative/critical interventions going forward.
Issue Four has been a long time in the making, and responds to a diversity of contemporary concerns, issues and themes in writing. Coupling creative responsive, reflective practice, original academic writing, reviews, reports and more, the issue offers another important point of dialogue and consideration for writers and readers active in the contemporary period. It also functions as an important reminder of the challenges faced by academic journals in the new millennium, and the tenacity and adaptability of contemporary creative and critical practice.