Rosebud Magazine

09/29/2026

EDITOR UPDATE:
Dear readers:
You will be happy to hear that Rosebud #73 goes to press this week with hopes for a quick turnaround and distribution. Fingers crossed. It is a beautiful and unique issue, and all that is to the good. With that, there is some bad news. Tragically, two of our contributing associates on this issue di ed during production, the artist for this issue, my old friend and distinguished Art Historian Tom Christensen, and longtime Rosebud Associate and former publisher, John E. Smelcer.

Such grief has no order of importance, but I will mention John First, since he died of cancer the day before yesterday. John is and Ahtna Indian native who grew up in the extensive Ahtna lands in Alaska and is the author of at least 23 books, which have been distributed internationally, and translated into many languages. I was the editor of his first novel, The Trap, and had the chance to watch his career as a novelist, mostly in the category of young adult novels unfold over time. Before the publication of The Trap, he was also a nationally recognized poet known here and abroad. For a full picture of this remarkable person and author, go to Johnsmelcer.com .

Tom Christensen was a lifelong friend of mine, and one of the last still breathing. We went through high school in Madison, Wisconsin, together, as well as undergraduate studies at the University of Wisconsin in Madison, where I also came to know his wife, who died unexpectedly in her sleep shortly after Tom did—to the consternation of friends and family. Just out of high school, in 1966, Tom and I collaborated on a somewhat forgettable literary magazine called Albatross. Much later, Tom was the author of 17 wonderful art history books , including my favorites, River of Ink , Like Water for Chocolate, and 1616. He and Carol were also the translators of multiple works by distinguished Latin American authors. For more on the remarkable books of Tom Christensen, search on the web for:
Books by Tom Christensen (Goodreads).

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09/29/2026

EDITOR UPDATE:
Dear readers:
You will be happy to hear that Rosebud #73 goes to press this week with hopes for a quick turnaround and distribution. Fingers crossed. It is a beautiful and unique issue, and all that is to the good.

With that, we have some bad news. Tragically, two of our contributing associates on this issue di ed during production, the artist for this issue, my old friend and distinguished Art Historian Tom Christensen, and longtime Rosebud Associate and former publisher, John E. Smelcer.
Such grief has no order of importance, but I will mention John First, since he died of cancer the day before yesterday. John was an Ahtna Indian native who grew up in the extensive Ahtna lands in Alaska and is the author of at least 23 books, which have been distributed internationally, and translated into many languages. I was the editor of his first novel, The Trap, and had the chance to watch his career as a novelist, mostly in the category of young adult novels, unfold over time. Before the publication of The Trap, he was also a nationally recognized poet known here and abroad. For a full picture of this remarkable rson author, go to Johnsmelcer.com .

Tom Christensen was a lifelong friend of mine, and one of the last still breathing. We went through high school in Madison, Wisconsin together, as well as undergraduate studies at the University of Wisconsin in Madison, where I also came to know his wife, who died unexpectedly in her sleep shortly after Tom did—to the consternation of friends and family. Just out of high school, in 1966, Tom and I collaborated on a somewhat forgettable literary magazine called Albatross. Much later, Tom was the author of 17 wonderful art history and literary history books , including my favorites, River of Ink, Like Water for Chocolate, and 1616. He and Carol were also the translators of multiple works by distinguished Latin American authors. For more on the books of Tom Christensen, search on the web for:
Books by Tom Christensen (Goodreads).

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06/01/2026

Rosebud Editor's Note:

Things have sure changed since we were launched in the fall of 1993. I am the last charter member actively involved. The upcoming issue, #73, due out later this summer, was edited and concieved in Wisconsin, and will be designed (and illustrated) in California--and printed in Minnesota. It will appear on the shelves of more than a hundred B&N stores plus many indepencents, and will go out to subscribers sprinkled across every state but ALabama, and I believe Mississippi.

We are not a big magazine, but I like to think we have had a small but important impact on how people think about reading and writing in America. I hope we have helped to champion the idea that; by reading and writing, by threading the words in and out our our brains, we are shaping meaning for ourselves and for those around us, helping to nuture a population that thinks for itself rather than just grabbing meaning off the commercial, political and religious assembly lines of our times that lure us into a hive mind subserviant to the powers that be.

We believe in exploring the intricacies of the realities that surround us, not just conforming to the conventional versions available. We have been going for 33 years now, and we still have a few years left in us--if gods is willing.

Thank you, readers and writers that sustain us. Without you, we could not have survived. WIthout you, we could not survive in the future. Because of you, ROSEBUD lives!

Roderick Clark, ED/PUB
ROSEBUD
608-423-9780Rosebud

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05/27/2026

Date of release of #73 a bit uncertain. The money, the content and the people are in place, and design is finally moving forward. A summer issue for sure. Late June or early July? A summer issue for sure. No one wants to see it out more than me! Stay tuned. It's going to be a wonderful issue! --Ed.

04/05/2026

EDITOR UPDATE:
Rosebud #73 is in the process of being designed in California, and will hopefully go to the printerr in Minnesota in May. It is a unique and collectible issue We believe many of you will enjoy. Stay tuned.

03/28/2026

editor update:
Beautiful ROSEBUD #73 is now in the design phase, and will go to press sometime in May of this year. Please stay tuned. I think you are going to love this issue!
RC/ROSEBUD

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