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!

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!