Growth is perhaps one of our most multi-faceted themes to date. Personally, this theme calls to mind the best and worst of what it means to edit an e-zine. When I started this project several years ago it was a very different undertaking than it is now. As a broad-based humanities publication we struggled to keep the momentum going as we were covering so many different topics, I was a crazy woman and the writers burned out.
Now that we focus exclusively on our collective first love, things are smoother. It's easier to get material, easier to come up with themes, easier in every way, really.
That's not to say that we don't hit bumps every now and then. I'm sure I can speak for myself along with the majority of the writers in saying, projects like this are a labor of love. As with any labor of love, life often gets in the way. Personally, I teach college writing courses at two schools (one full-time, one part-time), I squeeze in writing for pay, I attempt to maintain a family and social life, and I think about this 'zine every step of the way.
It's tough to keep going sometimes, and that's especially true as Spring has sprung, the school year is winding down, there's a garden to tend, plants to grow, students to conference with, meals to cook, a house to clean, a puppy pulling at my pant leg, and creativity to nurture. It makes me tired just thinking about it.
However, along with all the busy schedules and headaches, I feel a growing and renewed fervor for what Heather and the writers and I do here at Estella's Revenge. As we grow in our reading and writing, so do the challenges before us, the changes that need to be made, and the responsibility to keep this publication alive and flourishing.
With growth in mind, keep an eye out in coming months for some changes here at Estella's Revenge. You can expect some differences in the look of the place, some additions to our sidebar, and maybe even some Estella's Revenge merchandise. It would be great to continue growing, gain additional credibility in the book blogging world, and even maybe pay our writers a little something for all the hard work they do. It's with your continued support that we can mold Estella's Revenge into a continually legitimate and informative e-zine.
I have to admit, I was a little concerned when we began gathering pieces for this month's issue as the submissions seemed at an all time low...a trickle at best. However, with one e-mail asking for material and a lot of creativity on the writers' part, I actually think this might be the very best issue we've ever turned out.
Thanks to you readers and all the writers for everything. You make my days brighter.
Andi
Table of Contents
Author Interview: A.J. Jacobs, author of The Year of Living Biblically
Feature Articles:
- Going Green? Anyone? Yes!, by Heather F.
- Growing Pains, by Andi Miller
- Voice of Dissent: The Book Thief, by Melissa
- Personal Growth: Tackling the Self-Help Universe, by Lisa Guidarini
- Booklover...Will Travel, by S.A. Harris
- Growing Up in the Secret Garden, by April D. Boland
- Growth of a Fanboy, by Chris Buchner
Book Reviews:
4 comments:
Once again, I love the visual changes. And that tree collage is stunning!
Love the new issue but just wondering what happened to the column I sent you this month...
Powells is a great book store.
This is the first time I've checked out your ezine, and I wish you all the best in success.
If you keep writing, people will keep reading!
I'll have to check out your submission guidelines. :)
Cheryl Kaye Tardif, freelance book, tv and film critic, journalist and bestselling author of The River, Divine Intervention and Whale Song
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