Featuring Kate Knibbs’s “What It Takes,” an essay on the rags-to-riches story behind Flamin’ Hot Cheetos, reading self-help books with her family, and the corn syrupy dream of a “new and improved you.”

Plus: Short stories by Jess Taylor, Aurora Stewart de Peña, and Cian Cruise. An essay on Facebook addiction by Jacob Wren. A play by Ryan F. Hughes. A portfolio by Brendan George Ko. Photographs by Charles Yao and Elissa Pearl Matthews. A photo essay by Angela Lewis.