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Letter from the Editors
In every issue since its inception in 1972, genesis has provided a window 
into the minds and hearts of  its contributors. Flipping through its pages 
gives insight into what IUPUI students are thinking about, what is 
angering or exciting them, and what gives them hope.  

This semester, we sent out a special call for submissions across the U.S.—a 
first for genesis—in search of  writing and art inspired by the work of  Ray 
Bradbury, the prolific American Midwestern-born author whose books 
such as Fahrenheit 451 and The Martian Chronicles have captivated the 
imagination of  people throughout the world. Bradbury’s work contains key 
elements that are relevant now more than ever: exploration of  what we do 
not yet understand in the universe, pursuit of  life’s wonders, advocacy for 
intellectual and creative freedom, and an overall love for the written word. 

Appropriately enough for this special issue, the work in this collection (both 
from students and from contributors across the U.S.) also shares in this 
fascination with what it means to be human and to inhabit this world while 
also dreaming of  other worlds. In Bradbury’s book Zen in the Art of  Writing, 
he wrote, “We are cups, constantly and quietly being filled. The trick is 
knowing how to tip ourselves over and let the beautiful stuff out.” This 
collection of  work reflects this idea. We each contain multitudes. We are 
filled with grief, anger, the desire to know the truth shielded from us, the 
love of  those gone too soon, and questions about aging and how it affects 
our identity, self-image, and relationships with those closest to us. Out of  
that complex fullness, life spills over—terrible and wonderful—and gives 
way to something remarkable.  

We would like to give special thanks to the Ray Bradbury Center team 
for collaborating with us on this project. We are so grateful for everyone 
who made this issue possible, from our staff to our faculty advisor, Sarah 
Layden, to the writers and artists who poured themselves out onto these 
pages. These contributors have all let some beautiful things out. We are 
honored to be the ones who collect and present them to you. 

Shannon Kucaj and Monica Simmons 
Managing Editors