Grim Portents 1 sent to contributors, soon public; suggest a theme for issue 2

Grim Portents 1 sent to contributors, soon public; suggest a theme for issue 2

Grim Portents 1 sent to contributors, soon public; suggest a theme for issue 2

Hi folks,

Issue 2

We need a theme! Post your suggestions here or email me (sanglorian@gmail.com)

Issue 1

Issue 1 of Grim Portents has been completed and advance (electronic) copies sent to every contributor. After they’ve had it for a few days, I’ll share it with the rest of the world (if you want an advance copy, I’ll send it to you if you promise to write a review of it).

Reflections on the Process

As you might know, I’d originally planned to release issue 1 in the last weeks of January. Part of the delays were unavoidable – laptop breaking, unexpected full time employment, etc – but the problem was exacerbated by my deciding to do the layout myself, my micromanaging of the feedback stage of the process and the need to develop templates for contributions.

Having learned from that, for issue 2 I’ll be managing the feedback stage differently and asking the community for people keen to do layout (I had a few offers to do this for issue 1, so I’m sure we’ll get a response). I’ll also update the Grim Portents Submission Guide and include templates that people can work off of.

There was a suggestion that we charge for the magazine, either to pay contributors or to donate to charity. I won’t be doing this for issue 2, but I’d like to set up an optional donation button – with contributions going to commissioning an artwork or two.

The Process

2 APR: Open suggestions for the theme of issue 2; alert people that it’s coming.

5, 6, or 7 APR: Release issue 1 to the public; formally open submissions for issue 2; formally request feedback-providers for issue 2.

As people make submissions, they’ll be connected with a feedback-provider who’ll work with them to improve the submission. When the submitter is happy with the submission, they’ll pass it along to me.

I’ll do the basic formatting of the articles (e.g. standardise the styles used in the contribution).

When artists approach me, I’ll suggest articles that they can illustrate.

Around 22 APR: Written submissions will close for issue 2. All those who have already submitted will be asked to submit a final version of their contribution by 29 APR.

Around 29 APR: All articles will be passed on to the layout person. Artists will be asked to submit at least a sketch/outline of their work at this time, and then they’ll have a couple of weeks to complete the final work while the layout person is doing the layout.

When the layout person and the artists are finished, the issue will be released to contributors. 

24 thoughts on “Grim Portents 1 sent to contributors, soon public; suggest a theme for issue 2”

  5. The Edge of Civilization, deep dark forests, rolling plains, the great unknown…protecting the steadings from the monsters that lurk therein.

  24. Thanks for all the suggestions, folks – from various sources I got a total of 24 themes. You can see the one I chose for this issue in the new post up the top — I thought for issue 3 I might hold a vote for the theme.

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