We’re launching Issue No. 14 of The Bitter Southerner and it’s chock full of stories for anyone and everyone who wants better for these United States of America. On our cover, a stunning circa 1826 painting by American artist Thomas Cole — an immigrant from England. The painting is called “The Tempest”. Perfect for this moment, right? The High Museum of Art in Atlanta reveals a new American floor this year and Cole’s painting is among the work featured there — and in this issue. Also inside these covers, writers like Roxane Gay, Lauren Collins, Katie Mitchell, Ocean Vuong, Fabienne Toback, Hirishikesh Hirway, Skye Perryman, Marcie Cohen Ferris, Shane Mitchell, Caleb Gale, Lisa Donovan and Beryl Gilothwest contribute stories covering topics like a coup detat on American soil, the future of journalism, poll workers preparing for the midterms, growing up with food in America, magical thinking on a coastal island, summer reading, AI, shit and hell. (Yeah, you read that right.)