Maine has always been steeped in ingenuity and boldness. Perhaps it is the mix of granite coast and balsam breezes that gives rise to this inspiration but whatever it is the state has long held an abundance of worldclass writers and artists. Honoring this deep tradition of great writing The Maine Standard is an annual journal celebrating the uniqueness of Maine the unusual and the unexpected. Perhaps our founder Duane Doolittle said it best ampldquoWe donamprsquot pretend that we can define this evocative term Down East . . . All that we can honestly say is that we are tuned to this particular parcel of land and that we like its music.amprdquo The Maine Standard publishes standout writing that captures the true character of Maine writing that sings