Monkey Business 02/09/08

It's been an exciting few weeks here at Shakespeare's Monkeys. The new magazine coming out, the contest finishing up, the last submissions coming in for the next issue, and a revitalized energy that is coursing through everything we do.

Right now, in a dark cloak of secrecy, Tracey, Leanne, Fred and Jim are finalizing the line-up for the next issue while Julie madly creating galleys to share with the contributors and finishing up the cover and inside artwork. Obviously, I’m doing nothing, that’s what publishers do, but we do it loudly so people think we’re very important. Today, I’m going to loudly do nothing at the Winterfest in downtown Lowell. I’ll be reading a few wintry poems and probably eating a lot of soup. (Does one really eat soup, or drink it?)

I'd like to thank all of your for your continued support. It wouldn't be worth doing if it weren't for you. To those that have purchased the magazine and entered the contest, thank you. To those of you who have not, I would like to ask you to really consider it, as doing so is a tremendous support to our mission to discover and promote great new writing and art.

That said, I want to fill you in on a goal of mine which I hope you’ll help me with. I want to pay all contributors, and increase but the size number of prizes in the contest. I don’t think it’s realistic to expect this goal for the next issue or even two, but soon, with your help, I think we could do it. So here is my promise: If we can get to 50% participation for members in the contest and subscriptions, I will pay $10 (to start) for each contribution to the magazine, and add a $25 prize to the runner up in the contest. I’d also like to say, as we hit milestones, I have every intention of continuing to raise those numbers. To do that, I need your support.

On Monday, you’ll find a flyer on the site with information about subscribing and buying the magazine and entering the contest. If each of you could print a few copies and spread them around to any place you think might be receptive, that would be a huge support as well.

I feel that I've been a bit lax in my greetings lately, so I'd like to welcome our newest Members. La-shout, Aphasic, Zen, Emeya, Miadora, Jeckk, Poemmaker. Already they've been making an impact, with some wonderful critiques, posts, and discussions. It's great seeing the community slowly blossom.

Finally, I want to invite you all back to the site, as it has changed a lot in the last few weeks since many of you logged in. While at times it can be still slow, the performance is improving gradually, but what is rapidly becoming apparent is that the level of conversation regarding writing and art is a notch above.

I highly recommend that every member check out Aphasic’s critique of Aesthetic Psychosis’ poem “The Futility of Turtles”
http://www.shakespearesmonkeys...lity-of-turtles

Leanne Hanson’s poem “The Artist” and the conversation that ensued due to it:
http://www.shakespearesmonkeys...7366/the-artist

The “What are you Reading” discussion which has lead me to at least 3 different books I might not otherwise have found
http://www.shakespearesmonkeys...are-you-reading

And finally the new Resource Center which I’m trying to develop
http://www.shakespearesmonkeys...resource-center If you have any thoughts or questions that I could add to the FAQ’s send them along. I’ll answer and add them. Particular interest to me would be questions about site usage, the contest or the magazine, but I’m open to anything!

May this cyberneticly tossed monkey-poo stick to the walls of your mind!

Fondly yours,
Stephan Anstey
Shakespeare’s Monkeys