On the surface the “People who died in 1983” stories are simple. They are stories about people who died in 1983. People who died in other years will just have to wait until the Best American Series puts out a book in their year. Still, people have asked, “Why 1983?” That’s a little more complicated, but if I want to make it as simple as possible I’ll just be honest and say it came down to me having a pretty big ego.

You see I was born in the last days of 1983. I was one of its last creations. After a year of heartache and deaths it seemed like 1983 could care less about the trouble of another human. I came out a half finished product on the 343^rd day of 1983. I should have been a model of perfection, but after a long life ‘83 was burnt out and just wanted to move on to what was next. And twelve days later just like all the other years, except those odd years who wait an extra day, ’83 quietly blew itself out and gave way to new year.

So, as much as it is about the people who died in ’83 and about the people writing about those deaths, it is also a little about me. You could say I’m curious. I’ve wondering vaguely about reincarnation over the years and I’ve come to the conclusion that if it exists it will take place in the following fashion, a person dies then a few days, weeks, months later they are brought back to life in a new birth. Not a profound thought by any means, but one that you can’t help wonder about.

Before I ramble on too long, let me just say there’s bound to be a lot of good writing taking place on the topic of 1983 from a wide variety of people. I hope I haven’t ruined anything with my confessions. I made them with the best intentions in mind. I will now step aside and hopefully let you enjoy all the writings that will take place.

-Mark Baumer