Site News

There has been a noteable increase in the site traffic the last few days, now that I fixed the major bug that didn't allow sections to be editted. There should be some really cool upgrades coming up in the next week or so. The comment bug that Laurie has been dealing with should be fixed, and there should be a third option for editor.

To fix line breaks, the best way is to use 'line breaks' rather than hitting return. What that means is "Shift Return" that gives you the 'tight' lines. rather than the paragraphs.

By cutting and pasting into FCKEditor you should find that that holds the linebreaks rather than changing them to paragraphs (the wider line spacing that no one likes) 

You can switch between editors using the little drop down at the bottom of the text entry form. Right now it says "TinyMC Editor"

The messenger system is not currently functional, actually due to the fact that it's quite different than what we've been using elsewhere.

The good news is, this will offer fields so you may share you messenger info for AIM, Yahoo and MSN -- that should really be helpful. Also, messages here will be delivered to regular email, which may or may not be preferred, we'll have to see how that pans out, I'm just not sure yet.

Hopefully in the next couple of days i'll get the bugs worked out.

 THANK YOU
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Let me start first with the most important thing of all, the thank you:

After many talks with Tracey about her, the biggest thank you this week goes to Laurie Blum. If you have never had the pleasure of chatting with Laurie, you should go out of your way to make a point to do so. Not only is she a fantastic writer, she is also one of the kindest, smartest, funniest people you will ever meet, As nice as all that is, that is not why Leanne, Tracey and I begged her to be a member of the Monkey Staff, Laurie is the most competent, professional, detail oriented passionate people on the planet. Neither Tracey or I can believe how instantly once Laurie started administrating the magazine, suddenly everything started to fall together.

Leanne Hanson said it best I think, “Laurie is the clarity of focus that brings our cloud gazing down to earth. She is the right hand, left hand, both feet and very sexy brain of Shakespeare's Monkey Revue -- tolerant and understanding, Laurie is the glue that binds these flighty pages into the best monkey magazine in primate history.”

So as you look at the magazine, please remember that it doesn’t happen without Laurie, and maybe offer her a thank you.


ANNOUNCEMENTS
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Submissions Deadlines for the Conflict issue is June 2
Simian Award #4 deadline is May 9th.
Advertising Deadline for the Family issue is coming up this week. If you have an ad you’d like to place, please let me know before February 27th.
Future Themes will be announced on site Monday.


Please join me as I welcome our new members Sgueho and Tsarnelson. I am thrilled to see the community continue to grow and become more active and diverse. It’s a great pleasure to have both of you join the site.

I am always glad when people realize that this isn’t a site purely for the great and polished poets, it is for everyone. There is no one who can read that is unqualified to have an opinion about a posted work on our site. We cherish your thoughts, and need your support. If you don’t know how, why or what something is, just ask. You aren’t stupid. No one is going to tease or belittle. The opposite is true, we are honored that you care enough to join the conversation.

At times the site can be slow, and there are certainly some bugs. I would like to offer special thank you to member RWS for his patience with the comment bug in IE 6, we are working on getting that one fixed as quickly as possible. If you know of a bug, email me with as much detail as you can, including your browser, operating system, and the URL of the page you found the bug on.

It is a constant struggle to balance usability and features, and I think at times the site is quite overwhelming. That is the drawback to being able to do just about anything you can wish for with your personal spaces. I realize many of you do not have, or do not use your personal spaces, which is perfectly fine. However if it’s because you’re confused or overwhelmed please feel free to contact us at editorial@shakespearesmonkeys.com or Stephan@shakespearesmonkeys.com and I’ll make sure you get the help you need to get started, whether that’s the initial section set up, or explanations of how things work.

I would like everyone to know that Leanne has come up with a fantastic idea that I will be implementing starting today. I am going to be creating a site directory for links to all of our contributors, along with their bio-blurbs. We feel that our biggest mission with both the site and the magazine is to promote great writing and great writers, and this seems like an important step toward that goal.

In keeping with those goals, I want to also announce several new initiatives that give every member a chance to spread the words and enjoy the words of Shakespeare’s Monkeys. If you have any questions about any of these items I invite you to contact me at Stephan@shakespearesmonkeys.com or the editors at editorial@shakespearesmonkeys.com

First, I’m starting a new Monthly Magazine Give-away. Every month we’ll choose a member whose comments best embody the spirit of camaraderie and support Shakespeare’s Monkeys is trying to create, and they will receive a free copy of the magazine. If they’ve already bought the magazine, they will choose anyone they’d like and we’ll send them a copy.

Next, we are inviting letters regarding the magazine which can be sent to letters@shakespearesmonkeys.com These letters can be up to 1000 words, about any piece in the magazine, the theme of the magazine, or thoughts about the Revue in general.

I’d also like to invite every member to suggest a teacher, professor or influence in their writing life that they feel would appreciate Shakespeare’s Monkey Revue, and email me up to 250 words whey they should get a copy of the magazine. The most inspiring will receive a year subscription.

Because we firmly believe in the importance of educating our youth to love and appreciate literature, Shakespeare’s Monkeys now offers an educational discount for any professor or teacher that would like to use the Revue in the classroom. If you know any teachers that might be interested, please pass along the following link: http://www.shakespearesmonkeys...cation-discount

Finally, last announcement, I just wanted to let all members know that I’m doing some housecleaning, and members who haven’t logged in in more than a year are at risk of being deleted. Other than logging in, no action is required, that will let me know that you’re still active and participating in the community.

Ok, now for my PERSONAL recommendations on what to check out this week:

Shanon McEwan’s poem “The Constant Need to Pee” is awesome. It moved me so deeply I can’t even tell you. And, it has the additional fun of being an announcement of her impending joy. Congratulations Shannon! The world needs more of your Monkey Business!
http://www.shakespearesmonkeys...ant-need-to-pee

Another Important Shannon, the raw and beautiful Shannon V has some hilarious comments, as does the deliciously goofy Jasmine in the thread regarding overrated writers. The thread is serious, and their points are great, as our Alcuin’s, Derma’s, Leanne’s and Ryan’s. It’s a great little thread you don’t want to miss. http://www.shakespearesmonkeys...mporary-writers

Which brings me to Ryan’s very educational and helpful post regarding poetic techniques. Check it out, you’ll be glad you did: http://www.shakespearesmonkeys...cle-7485-tropes

This is somewhat of an aside, but someone on the site that I really don’t want to be overlookd by supposedly serious writers is Jen Ragan. Jen is a children’s writer and her work is magnificently sweet, funny, gross and children LOVE it. So many people disrespect how difficult it is to be a children’s writer, don’t make that mistake. Check out what she is doing and realize how difficult it is. She is an absolute genius and a member that constantly reminds me how important it is what we’re trying to do.
http://www.shakespearesmonkeys...al-space-of-jen

Finally, La-Shout’s poem “The Word on the Water” is very good. I’d like to point it out for two reasons, first because it’s a really good poem, but second because I thought the discussion it led to and her graciousness was wonderful. I think you’ll really enjoy:
http://www.shakespearesmonkeys...rd-on-the-water

Ok, Enough for now. In a little bit you’ll receive the announcement on the winner of the contest!

Hope to see you soon! Keep on monkeying with the words folks, it’s important.

Fondly,
Stephan

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

Hey folks,

Oh, you're probably wondering where the monkeys are...

Here's the big secret ... shh, don't tell anyone except everyone you know … the latest copy of Shakespeare’s Monkey Revue is fresh off the press. That's right, the third issue comes out tomorrow, and for a paltry $5 you can have a copy!

BUT WAIT there's MORE

We're accepting Submissions, prose (up to 3000 words) or poetry, now for our next issue with the theme "Conflict" - I expect every single one of you to submit something, because here's something new -- if your work is published in the Revue-- you earn cash. Yes, I'm serious. Not just copies. $10 cash. Ok, it's not much, but it's something. How often do you get paid to write poetry? It's a start.

How will I afford to pay for this? Well, it's funny you should ask! The next contest is open for entries now. And guess what, MORE prizes than ever before, due to a generous and mysterious benefactor, I'm now able to double the prize money. Now, the winner receives $125, AND there's a 2nd prize of $50 and a third prize of $25. So your chances of winning cash have tripled. The winner is also eligible for the grand simian award next year which will be and other $200 & a feature in a future issue of Shakespeare's Monkey Revue.

And just as important, if you really want to help me pay people for their work, buy a copy of Shakespeare's Monkey Revue . Buy a copy for yourself. Buy a copy for a friend. I have 500 copies to sell, and 200 members on the site. If each of you buy a copy, I’m also halfway there. So spread the word, tell everyone about the contest, and to buy the magazine and post this information anywhere people might be interested. Word of mouth is the most effective advertising of all.

I am not begging. I’m not demanding. I’m just sayin’ If you really are serious about great writing, then support it with your money. Buy poetry. Read poetry. Don’t just write poetry.

Entering the contest and buying the Revue helps me offer opportunities for publication, and to give cash for people’s work. The more you all support these endeavors, the more I can eventually pay, it’s that simple. Today, I’m offering $10 upon publication. Maybe by next year, it could be $100. I promise you this, any money above expenses, is going to go to the contributors and contest prizes.


OTHER NOTES:

The email seems to be working on the site now. So that’s good. The last major bug seems to be that IE 6 users have some problems making comments. The only solution now seems to be firefox or upgrading to IE 7.

DISCUSSIONS
Check out Emeya’s poem Behemia, it’s snazzy.
http://shakespearesmonkeys.com...le-8075-bohemia

Can you see Jesus in Julie’s Chocolate Milk?
http://shakespearesmonkeys.com...-chocolate-milk

Also, we have a problem child on the site, her name is Calooh, and while she’s an amazing poet – she’s a KNOWN rebel. Check out her avatar. Yes, You’ll see immediately that it isn’t a monkey. It is, in fact, a lemur. I expect each of you to post a poem or prose explaining to Calooh just how horrifying it is to have the wrong primate as your avatar on a site so clearly marked ‘monkey’
http://shakespearesmonkeys.com/user-153-callooh


WELCOME
Last but not least, I’d love to welcome all the new people who’ve signed up lately. The site has been so finicky lately, I can’t express how appreciative I am for all their patience. Ri, , Ari, TerryG, Fondulac, Tinhearts, Bubo and Unwritten – welcome you each to the Monkeyverse.


Fondly,
stephan

Well, I have found that it'll be VERY easy to apply different layouts to our different sections, and that includes your spaces. I'm very excited about that.

Right now there's really only one choice, but I'm hoping that within a week or two, i'll have 5-6 layouts to choose between. I'm also slowly working on the navigation and such, i'm hoping to have that hashed out in the next few days.

Maybe you noticed that Recent Work, Forums, and Personal Spaces are now all options in the navigation. It's my hope that it helps you all find eachother's work.