[Tim Murphy]

I'm sure many of us will receive an email today announcing that Umbrella and Tilt-a-Whirl are finishing their distinguished runs. I think I only submitted once, and Kate did a superb job of editing portions of two chapters from my unpublished prosimetrum into a compelling account in prose and verse of alcoholism and redemption. Thank you, Kate.

[Susan d.S.]

Yes, thank you, Kate. The journals shall be greatly missed.

[Michael Cantor]

Thanks, Kate, for all the pubs and all the love and energy you brought to the task - and for some nifty edits.

Now what do I do with my drawers of sestinas? And if you find a villanelle - maybe a sack of villanelles - on your doorstep one morning...well...er...

[Janice D. Soderling]

Kate is another of the editors who took me under her Umbrella when I started my second life of writing in English. As an editor she has encouraged, suggested, and sometimes made me feel I am smarter than I am.

So of course from that relationship has grown a feeling that I "know" her as though we had met face to face.

I have no end of praise for the editors who give of their time and services to create showcases for other writers. Many of these showcases have closed shop during the past few years and now Umbrella will, and shortly thereafter Tilt-a-Whirl. Both remarkable ventures and outstanding venues, which I will miss reading.

But the reverse side of the coin must be that this will free Kate to concentrate on her own excellent writing, and maybe even she will find time to mingle with us more on Eratosphere where (before my time) she once ably served as moderator.

Thank you, Kate, for your labor of love, for everything you have done for the po-world in general and me in particular.

A fourfold huzzah for Kate!

[Maryann Corbett]

I am deeply in debt to Kate and Umbrella. Thanks for everything, Kate, and all success in whatever comes next.

[R. Nemo Hill]

I'll raise my glass as well.

Nemo

[Roger Slater]

I will miss it a lot, especially Bumbershoot, which I think was unique. I do hope that this turns out to be a mere hiatus and that a year or two down the line Kate decides it is time to return.

[Jayne Osborn]

I never really knew Umbrella, Tilt-a-Whirl or Bumbershoot but I'm very lucky in that I do know Kate, having spent some time in her marvellous company at West Chester this year.

I thought I might even get off my backside and submit some stuff to her sometime...

Oh well, it's too late for that but it's never too late to say "Hi" and "I hope you're OK" to a lovely friend. See you again in a few months' time, Kate, all being well!

Jayne

[Susan McLean]

Both journals will be missed. They were attractive, interesting, and unique.

Susan

[David Rosenthal]

I am sad to see Umbrella go -- one of my favs. And T-a-W is a great place to send students wanting to see examples of good quality repeaters. I hope the archives stay up indefinitely.

Thanks Kate for the invaluable contribution to the poetry community.

David R.