This morning the automated system emailed to let me know that my roundtable conversation with John Joseph Adams about working at Nightmare, reading and editing horror, and other fun stuff went live at the magazine. First I got excited, because we had a great time working on this interview and I’m really excited to share it with people.

And then I got teary.

If you know me at all, you’re not surprised. I tear up for anything touching, sweet, or more emotionally stimulating than a Hallmark card (and let’s face it, some Hallmark cards are dangerously touching). And this interview is all of those things. To me, it’s like that moment in a relay race where one runner hands off the baton to the next.

I’ve been working with John Joseph Adams for more than a decade, on and off. Before I ever became his editorial assistant, I was a fan of his work, so working for him was pretty intimidating. Honestly, sometimes it’s still sometimes a little intimidating! John has such a fine mind and great instincts, and they’ve made him one of the best in the business. I’ve learned so much working with him over the years. I admire him so much.

It’s scary to think that next week it’ll be my name on the cover of Nightmare–scary because JJA has built a tremendous publication that thousands of readers know and love. I don’t want to let them–or him!–down.

But it’s also incredibly exciting. I am SO PROUD of my first issue! I love the stories and the poem, our first ever (well, first in regular issues–we included poetry in the Queers Destroy Horror! special issue). The cover artwork (art directed by Grace Legault) is rad. “The H Word” column is thought-provoking, and the interview is with the delightful Hailey Piper.

So yes, this week I’m tearing up for JJA’s last issue. Next week? I’ll be tearing up for my first. I hope you’ll check it out!