As those of you who read this blog probably know, The Willows is struggling a bit right now. As I've also explained, I'm still doing my best to meet the needs of everyone who has subscribed. If I haven't made this clear already, you will still be receiving any issues you paid for. I am shipping issues as quickly as I can, given the financial straits we're in right now. But I have never taken any orders we can't fill. It's just going to take a little time, that's all.
And many subscribers have been most sympathetic and kind about the situation; I'd like to call a bit of attention to Lucien Spelman (who may be a tad embarrassed at the spotlight). As soon as he heard of our troubles, he began sending me encouraging emails:
I can identify! I used to run BBT Magazine (www.bbtmagazine.com) solely out of my own pocket like you are. It's horribly difficult... Don't worry about sending my contributor copy. I know every dime helps, so use it to help keep the mag alive. I have paid for a copy and would like that, but hang on to the contributor copy.
Verbal support like this has actually been a big help. I'm not sure, Lucien, if you know just how much.
Now, several of you have emailed me saying "I'm missing an issue; do you know what's become of it?" Of course I'm happy to track down your issue, and make sure you receive it posthaste. Yes, it does happen occasionally, but we're able to resolve it. So you email us, and we do. We've just been two adults who perceived a problem, and cooperated to deal with it in a sensible manner.
Others, howe'er, have not been so understanding. One purchaser wrote to tell me that she was "furious" with me (yes, with me personally) because she had not received her order yet. When I explained that a) other orders were ahead of hers in the queue, and b) one of the issues she'd requested was an out-of-print special that took extra time to have ordered, she steadfastly refused to believe me about that either (some of you have ordered back issues before; as you might know, they're $2 more and take an extra trip to the print shop, which adds a week or two to the shipping time). But despite all that, I'd specially packed her order--I even told her I was ready to make an exception and ship it today, bumping her in front of other paying subscribers--when she sent me another email saying that even that wasn't good enough!
As she told me in no uncertain terms--and with a liberal scattering of suggestions that I wasn't running a very professional operation here-- she would rather have a full refund than wait three more days to receive the package I had already prepared for her, because I really ought to have shipped it much sooner anyway. That is, she should have the right to jump ahead of other subscribers in the shipping queue.
Oh, and she wanted me to know that it was entirely my fault that a back issue takes extra time to order and pick up, and that she was enraged I would even suggest I was doing her a favor by selling it to her below its usual cost. So I issued the refund, and gladly, but the point is that she could have received what she'd paid for if she'd simply waited three more days for it to arrive. Like I said, I had the package sealed and ready to ship today!
I am unable to understand the thought process here; I truly am. What explanation, what more apology, did she want? I told her the truth; that's all I have to tell.
And, let me tell you, this person's rage--for it was rage, expressed clearly and directed solely at the person of Ben, all while I did my honest and polite best to take responsibility for the problem and resolve her dispute--was hurtful to me. It hurt me as an editor who always strives to do his best; to satisfy every customer with personal attention to detail. It made me lose just a little more faith in humanity, to do my best to honestly explain the situation, and receive "I am furious" as a response. It just didn't seem worth it, somehow...for that much anger to be generated by a six-week delay on a special order of magazines.
I'm not much of a businessman, I suppose, saying things like this, but if a bunch of scraps of paper are really that infuriating for you, let me ask you here and now to please refrain from ever ordering The Willows. Rant and froth at me all you want, but don't bring money into it, I beg you. I'm tired of answering peoples' rancor with punctilious apologies, only to get still more rancor in return. Aren't we all adults? Can't we resolve our debates as equals, without lobbing rage bombs at one another?
If, by chance, you read this post and relate to the indictor, or see what I've written as a criticism of something you've said or wanted to say...well, then perhaps it is just that. And I stand by it, because I believe what I've written here. If someone is trying to help you, to get your issue resolved, they deserve some respect, kindness, and patience in return, even if it's not going well. I would think that's just common courtesy, but clearly it isn't.
If, on the other hand, you read this post and relate to being stepped all over, maybe you could do with a little speaking up for yourself. Seems to've helped me.
Wednesday, February 04, 2009
Monday, January 26, 2009
Still More Willows Updates
Well, it's 2009, and things haven't gotten much easier at the offices of The Willows. While Jade did finish up the issue, it was several weeks late...and that isn't the only problem.
For those of you who don't know, I pay for 90% of The Willows out of my own pocket; always have. Some advertisers sweeten the deal now and then, and my supply costs are (somewhat) covered by subscribers, but by and large, I buy stories and new features as I can afford them, and feel they're justified. And I've always been rewarded by your loyal readership; I have no complaints on that score.
But this year opens on a rather underfunded Willows, which means we're going to have to print and ship as we are able to afford it. Some of you have already received your December issues, and let me go on record as saying I feel humiliated that the rest of you have not, when it is almost February. I can only express my profoundest frustration.
Not an hour...hardly a moment... goes by, that I don't think of that next shipment, and the next issue after this one. We now have a new Art Director, Nikki, who is exhibiting a great deal of enthusiasm and self-motivation at the job. Along with her, I'll be developing our next issue, which will be printed and shipped as financial restrictions allow.
So, in summation: I have been forced to slow things down just a tad. I want to humbly express my gratitude to all of you for your patience, and assure you that I exist in a constant state of nervous near-panic, shrouded by the thought that my funds are stretched to their limits, and my faithful subscribers are still in wait. I cannot rest until my task is complete!
For those of you who don't know, I pay for 90% of The Willows out of my own pocket; always have. Some advertisers sweeten the deal now and then, and my supply costs are (somewhat) covered by subscribers, but by and large, I buy stories and new features as I can afford them, and feel they're justified. And I've always been rewarded by your loyal readership; I have no complaints on that score.
But this year opens on a rather underfunded Willows, which means we're going to have to print and ship as we are able to afford it. Some of you have already received your December issues, and let me go on record as saying I feel humiliated that the rest of you have not, when it is almost February. I can only express my profoundest frustration.
Not an hour...hardly a moment... goes by, that I don't think of that next shipment, and the next issue after this one. We now have a new Art Director, Nikki, who is exhibiting a great deal of enthusiasm and self-motivation at the job. Along with her, I'll be developing our next issue, which will be printed and shipped as financial restrictions allow.
So, in summation: I have been forced to slow things down just a tad. I want to humbly express my gratitude to all of you for your patience, and assure you that I exist in a constant state of nervous near-panic, shrouded by the thought that my funds are stretched to their limits, and my faithful subscribers are still in wait. I cannot rest until my task is complete!
Thursday, January 08, 2009
Questions Answered
For those of you who posted comments on the last update, thank you for speaking your mind!
To any other subscribers who may read this, thank you for bearing with us. I picked up the first print draft of the belated December issue from the printers today (the cover is a real stunner!), and if Jade can get the last few revisions cleaned up by tomorrow or so, we should be shipping next week.
Now, on to the comments. We do, in fact, have a list of all tales we've published; thanks to Skadi, who volunteered to type it up last year. It's been sort of hidden at the bottom of the "About Us" page; here's a direct link.
If anyone would like to order a PDF copy of an earlier issue (or several), if they would be so kind as to email the editor; I would be more than happy to accommodate.
And just to let you all know, we've already got the full slate of splendidly gruesome tales for the February/March issue lined up!
To any other subscribers who may read this, thank you for bearing with us. I picked up the first print draft of the belated December issue from the printers today (the cover is a real stunner!), and if Jade can get the last few revisions cleaned up by tomorrow or so, we should be shipping next week.
Now, on to the comments. We do, in fact, have a list of all tales we've published; thanks to Skadi, who volunteered to type it up last year. It's been sort of hidden at the bottom of the "About Us" page; here's a direct link.
If anyone would like to order a PDF copy of an earlier issue (or several), if they would be so kind as to email the editor; I would be more than happy to accommodate.
And just to let you all know, we've already got the full slate of splendidly gruesome tales for the February/March issue lined up!
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Frantic Pre-Christmas Post
Hello there (if anyone is)!
Just wanted to make two quick announcements:
1) The December issue of The Willows is completely finished
edit-wise. I am currently working with our brand-new art director, Jade Gordon, getting her all up to speed on our exacting standards for design. Thus, the issue may be delayed a tad beyond Christmas (to howls of rage and despair, I am sure). But! All issues henceforth will be much more efficiently created and shipped, once Jade's got her feet under her.
2) The Willows is, I'll be frank, severely lacking advertisers these days. I don't know if you can help with that or not; if not, thanks for reading! If you might, please know that while advertisers may seem relatively unimportant (or even downright intrusive, though we do our best to avoid this) to the reader, it is they who pay for special guest authors like Sarah Monette, lovely cover art like Joanna's and Paul's, and all the other folks who don't (or can't) work pro bono, like most of the Willows staff do. So while I frequently say that the driving force behind the magazine is its readers, advertisers are like a maintenance crew: they keep the power-sucking engines of magazine literature in motion.
Thank you for your patience; we'll be there oh so soon! A Merry Christmas to all!
Just wanted to make two quick announcements:
1) The December issue of The Willows is completely finished
edit-wise. I am currently working with our brand-new art director, Jade Gordon, getting her all up to speed on our exacting standards for design. Thus, the issue may be delayed a tad beyond Christmas (to howls of rage and despair, I am sure). But! All issues henceforth will be much more efficiently created and shipped, once Jade's got her feet under her.2) The Willows is, I'll be frank, severely lacking advertisers these days. I don't know if you can help with that or not; if not, thanks for reading! If you might, please know that while advertisers may seem relatively unimportant (or even downright intrusive, though we do our best to avoid this) to the reader, it is they who pay for special guest authors like Sarah Monette, lovely cover art like Joanna's and Paul's, and all the other folks who don't (or can't) work pro bono, like most of the Willows staff do. So while I frequently say that the driving force behind the magazine is its readers, advertisers are like a maintenance crew: they keep the power-sucking engines of magazine literature in motion.
Thank you for your patience; we'll be there oh so soon! A Merry Christmas to all!
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Just a Heads-Up
For anyone who hasn't noticed, the latest issue of The Willows features Sarah Monette's new supernatural suspense story The Replacement.
And while I wish this post was just for the sake of good news, it seems some early print runs included a typographical error at the end of page 52. The text there should read:
I found that I could not turn my back on the mirror, which made matters nearly impossible at first, until in desperation, I grabbed Colter Harriman's copy of Presteign's Darkest Africa and Her Denizens and stared fixedly at the frontispiece portrait of the author with a dead rhinoceros. Compared to the dead woman reflected in the mirror, it was queerly soothing.
At any rate, perhaps that will make you curious to read the story!
And while I wish this post was just for the sake of good news, it seems some early print runs included a typographical error at the end of page 52. The text there should read:
I found that I could not turn my back on the mirror, which made matters nearly impossible at first, until in desperation, I grabbed Colter Harriman's copy of Presteign's Darkest Africa and Her Denizens and stared fixedly at the frontispiece portrait of the author with a dead rhinoceros. Compared to the dead woman reflected in the mirror, it was queerly soothing.
At any rate, perhaps that will make you curious to read the story!
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Inbox Follies
Hello dear readers! While I have no genre-related meditations to offer you today, I can make an announcement: the August issue of The Willows will be on sale this coming week! Featuring an interview with Sarah Monette, another installment by G. D. Falksen, and loads of new art, it's going to be quite the worthwhile purchase, if I do say so myself!
But now, I must share something that I can almost guarantee will make you all guffaw (though this story particularly makes me think of Skadi's wry humor): a little exchange I had with someone who contacted The Willows, ostensibly seeking advertising. Most of our advertisers, like Kaja Foglio and Brigid Ashwood, are an absolute dream to work with, so I let loose a surprised little chuckle when I saw this in my inbox:
So, feeling a bit giddy this morning, I fired off a rather playful reply:
Grondo, however, either did not read his own email, or failed to get a simple joke. Grondo, also, has forgotten where his capslock key is located:
Yes, that was indeed the entirety of Grondo's email. So, to recap:
By the way, that photo at the top is what I discovered when I did a Google image search for "Grondo," so perhaps some insight into Grondo's frustrated psychology could be gained by discussing this action figure with him; it certainly is possible. Sometimes it is helpful to be reminded what a gentleman is, by being reminded of what one is not.
I promise with the whole of my blood-pumping organ, dear readers, that these next few issues of The Willows will be well worth the dearth of coherent posts here.
But now, I must share something that I can almost guarantee will make you all guffaw (though this story particularly makes me think of Skadi's wry humor): a little exchange I had with someone who contacted The Willows, ostensibly seeking advertising. Most of our advertisers, like Kaja Foglio and Brigid Ashwood, are an absolute dream to work with, so I let loose a surprised little chuckle when I saw this in my inbox:
Dear Sirs, I request a media kit of your advertising rates and pertainent [sic] details. Please do not respond in any other fashion.
Thank You,
Mr. Grondo
So, feeling a bit giddy this morning, I fired off a rather playful reply:
Hello Grondo,
Our media kit may be found here: http://www.thewillowsmagazine.com/advertisers.htm
Please do not respond in any fashion other than to purchase space with us.
Yours most truly,
The Willows Editorial Staff
Grondo, however, either did not read his own email, or failed to get a simple joke. Grondo, also, has forgotten where his capslock key is located:
NO THANKS, DON'T CARE FOR YOUR UNPROFESSIONAL MANNER
Yes, that was indeed the entirety of Grondo's email. So, to recap:
Grondo: "Please do not respond in any other fashion."And so, there we have it. Beware of Grondos. Or laugh at them, as I did; it's really your choice.
Professional? According to Grondo, apparently.
Me (obviously joking): "Please do not respond in any fashion other than to purchase space with us."
Unprofessional? According to Grondo, yes!
Grondo: "NO THANKS, DON'T CARE FOR YOUR UNPROFESSIONAL MANNER"
Professional? According to Grondo, yes!
By the way, that photo at the top is what I discovered when I did a Google image search for "Grondo," so perhaps some insight into Grondo's frustrated psychology could be gained by discussing this action figure with him; it certainly is possible. Sometimes it is helpful to be reminded what a gentleman is, by being reminded of what one is not.
I promise with the whole of my blood-pumping organ, dear readers, that these next few issues of The Willows will be well worth the dearth of coherent posts here.
Friday, March 14, 2008
Hot Cthulhu Pix!
So, I doubt if any of you remember my having me mentioned this, but a story of mine called "The Menagerie" is being published in a wonderful little anthology titled "Cthulhu Unbound," from Permuted Press. The general idea is that Mythos creatures are placed into unorthodox genres and settings; Renaissance Italy, in the case of my own tale.Anyway, I finally received the cover mockups this week, and now I'm excited to see the finished product. Click 'em to the left and right there (I'm not sure which volume my story is in).
I don't have a purchase link for the anthology yet, but I'll be sure to post it when I do. I think this will be quite a special treat for HPL Mythos enthusiasts; the editors' passion for their subgenre is quite evident. Like me, they're more interested in having fun with its conventions than in laboring under them.
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