As we head into the final month of 2023, I find myself reflecting on the progress we made this year with a mixture of disbelief, awe, and immense gratitude. Although from the outside it may look like things have been relatively quiet over here, we've actually done a ton of work this year behind the scenes, and we are now SO much closer to being ready to publish.
Summary of What We Did in 2023
Decided to publish Issue 1: Visions from a Gender-Inclusive Future as a zine rather than a full-length magazine. (If interested, you can read more about that decision here.)
Got the zine (Issue 1) fully funded!
Secured the pieces we'd already published on our website for the print and ebook zine.
Put out a second call for submissions based on the gaps we wanted to fill and chose more pieces for publication.
Made crucial decisions about paper weight and type and got a quote for printing.
Made huge strides in the layout design for the interior, thanks to Manth's efforts.
I am actually amazed at how much we accomplished this year... and how much closer we are to being ready to publish! Issue 1 has lived in our heads for roughly five years now, and the prospect of it becoming a real, tangible object (in addition to an e-book, of course) seems surreal.
In the New Year
2024 is looking like a big year for Inclusive Future Magazine! Of course the main event will be the publication of Issue 1: Visions from a Gender-Inclusive Future. Though we've done a lot of work in the last year and the magazine is almost ready for publication, there's still plenty that needs doing before it can go to print. We still need to:
finish editing a few stories,
write the Letter from the Editors,
get final bios from all the contributors and compile a list of all the generous people who contributed financially to the project,
finalize the interior's design and layout,
and there remains one piece we want: a story to accompany the cover illustration. (Although we don't officially have an open call for subs, if you or someone you know has a story that would work - or wants to write one - we would love an email from you!)
I admit, I'm also already thinking about Issue 2 and am eager to work with my co-editors to choose the theme and start looking for guest editors. If you haven't yet voted on the theme for Issue 2 - or if you have guest editor recommendations - we invite you to fill out our brief survey.
And if you haven't yet subscribed to our newsletter so you can get the latest updates on the project delivered to your email inbox, you can subscribe here.
Immense Gratitude
Before I wrap up this post, I want to acknowledge that none of this would be possible without my two amazing co-editors, Lydia and Manth, or without the financial and emotional support we've received from so many people throughout the year. I feel so grateful to everyone who has reached out with kind and encouraging words and to all those who donated to the project via our Ko-fi or other means. Thank you.
Lastly but certainly not least, a huge shout-out to the hardworking writers and artists who submitted to the zine and to those who have worked with us toward publication. We are nothing without you.
Inclusive Future Magazine wishes you the best holiday season and a Happy New Year. See you in 2024!