September 17, 2007 Dedicated Carve Readers, I have a confession to make. When I took the reins of Carve Magazine in January of this year, my biggest fear was that within six months I would become too overwhelmed and have too little free time to keep the magazine going strong; that is, I wouldn't be able to increase the subscriber base and continue to uphold Carve's reputation as the one of the finest online literary magazines. The prospect of reading hundreds of submissions and hosting an annual contest seemed daunting and draining. And as any writer, editor, or small-press publisher knows--there's not a lot of money to made in this business. But nine months and three new issues later, none of that matters. My work on this magazine has transformed from a small hobby to a daily desire. I can't stop talking about the magazine, to my friends, my family, my full-time coworkers (who certainly know nothing about literary fiction). I tell them about the stories I'm reading, how many talented writers are out there just waiting to be discovered, and how this magazine is someday going to be not just my hobby, but my way of life. The stories are a pleasure to read. The contest exceeded my expectations. And the subscriber list continues to grow. So what's next? I want Carve Magazine to become a top-tier magazine, a respected name, and a veritable collection of talent from which tomorrow's writers begin their journey toward widespread recognition. But I can't do any of this without you. I need you to continue submitting (especially if you're female...there is far too great a shortage of submissions by women!), keep checking in with the site, and most of all, I need you to read the stories. Many people wonder why I only select three to five stories per issue, rather than ten to twelve like the previous editor. My reasoning is this: if I've only selected a few stories, you can be sure that they are well worth reading. Thank you, readers, for keeping Carve Magazine an exciting adventure. Continue sending me emails and let me know what you think--of the stories, of the site design, of what the meaning of life is. Hearing from my audience usually makes my day a good one. I'm only hoping to return the favor for both new and returning readers alike. Sincerely, Matthew L. Archived Letters From the Editor |
