I'd like to thank everyone for their interest and enthusiasm concerning RoF's new column, and an additional thanks to the many wonderful candidates who took the time to express their interest in the position.  There were a number of excellent candidates, any number of which I'm sure would have done excellent work.  They made my decision very difficult.

However, that decision has been made as of today, and I'm quite thrilled in announcing that our new columnist is Elizabeth Bear.

Elizabeth struck me as a wonderful fit for this column for a number of reasons.  First, she has review experience with some impressive venues.  And in reading her reviews, I found that she has an extremely engaging reviewer voice, something that is often hard to come by.  She also provided me some critical essays on various works of speculative literature that demonstrated an understanding of storytelling techniques that was quite impressive.  She has a number of novels to her credit, is an active member of the speculative community, and has received some of the most impressive awards in our genre for her writing.  She also has deep ties to short fiction and has even had a short story appear in RoF.  These last tidbits aren't necessary to do her job, of course, but it's good to know she cares about short fiction as well.  So basically, she was everything I was looking for in a candidate and more.

Anyway, as I mentioned before, the first edition of the urban fantasy/paranormal romance column is scheduled to appear in RoF's June 2010 issue.  Here's hoping you enjoy the direction we take this column, and that you are as excited as I am about Bear handling the reviews for this column.  I'm quite sure she's going to do us proud.

In case you're curious, the response to and interest in RoF's forthcoming column has been and continues to be absolutely awesome.  I already have more good applicants than I know what to do with.  I have a very difficult decision waiting for me when I get back from the World Fantasy Convention.

But being as I'm a glutton for punishment, I'm going to let the applications roll in a little longer.  I'm getting back on the morning of November 3rd and hope to make a decision for the column soon after I'm back.  So let it be known that the last day to let me know you're interested in the gig is November 2nd.  Anything sent in after this time will not be considered.

Thanks. 

So I'm happy to announce that RoF is going to be launching a new column within its pages.  If all goes as planned, starting with the June 2010 issue, RoF will be including a book column that will focus on reviewing paranormal romance, urban fantasy, romantic fantasy, and related areas of fantasy literature.  This is a large, important, and still growing area of fantasy literature, and Warren and I are in agreement that it deserves its own column.

Of course, any column is only as good as its columnist.  And being as we're launching this column, it means one good columnist is needed.  When I've needed new columnists in the past, I haven't went public like this in my search.  But in those cases the column was already in place, so it was somewhat easier to find the right columnist.  This time we're starting from scratch, so I've decided to open things up and let all interested parties know that we're seeking one paranormal romance book reviewer.

Realms of Fantasy is a bimonthly magazine, so you would be responsible for six columns a year.  The column itself will run 1000 words, and you will be asked to review a minimum of four books each column (so obviously we're seeking quick reviews of each book).  You will be paid for your work.  If you're interested, please don't respond on the blog.  Instead, please email me at slushmaster@gmail.com.  Please outline your interest in the genre and the position.  Be certain to mention any relevant experience.  Please enclose at least one review sample via attachment.  It is important that I read some of your writing, and that you demonstrate your ability to offer intelligent analysis of a work of literature in these sub-genres.

I will be going out of town on October 28th and won't be back until the early morning of November 3rd.  I don't anticipate making  a decision on the position until I get back but would like to do so soon after I do.  If you have any questions, please feel free to ask under comments.

Thanks.      
      

Hi Folks,

I wanted to share the latest developments in the nonfiction department.  Until now, Jeff Vandermeer has been our graphic novel columnist.  Alas, Jeff has stepped down from this role.  It was an amicable parting, so I wish him well in his future endeavors.  There will be no graphic novel column in the October issue, but it will return in the December 2009 issue, under our new columnist, Andy Wheeler.

Andy was Jeff's recommendation for a replacement, and I couldn't be happier with our new columnist.  Some of you might recognize Andy's name, since for many year he was an editor at the Science Fiction Book Club.  More relevent to his new gig, I should also point out that he was a judge for the 2008 Eisner Awards.

And perhaps most importantly, the man's blog indicates he's a hornswaggler!  And I ask you, how can you not want at least one hornswaggler on your staff?  How?!

Welcome aboard, Andy!

So I'm going to announce it each time a columnist hands an article in, but I did want to mention that the other day I received the first article for our second issue back.  I currently have nonfiction deadlines out for the second and third issues back, so I'd say once the first issue back comes out (getting close!), the nonfiction department will be in full swing.

Didn't have a chance yesterday to mention that Shawna handed in her editorial for the first issue back.  The last time we ran an editorial in RoF was back in April 2002 issue.  It was a goodbye editorial from Rebecca McCabe, RoF's first assistant editor.  Just to clarify, it was Rebecca saying goodbye to the magazine, not to the editorials.  This just happened to be the last editorial!  Shawna's last editorial was in the February 2002 issue, when she wrote about the events surrounding 9/11.

When Warren bought the magazine and Shawna and I learned we were coming back, that very first day I mentioned to Shawna that it would be cool if she did an editorial our first issue back under a new publisher.  Her response?  "I've already started outlining it."  So while I'm fairly certain Shawna's editorial column will not be making a permanent return (alas), it is pretty cool to have it back for at least an issue.

I now have copies of all the columns for the first issue back.  Much thanks to my wonderful columnists for delivering everything on time.

So we have a few pieces in inventory, but yesterday I received the first newly written nonfiction column from one of our columnists for the July issue.  Fun stuff!

I have asked the columnists for pitches and given them deadlines for the July issue.  There are still some things to attend to, but the most pressing concerns for this department have now been handled.

I'm happy to announce that all of our columnists for RoF are now in place.  Even better, just about all of them are returning.  Along with Kristen McDermott, Ari Berk will be returning to helm the Folkroots Column.  Resa Nelson will once more be at work on the Movie/TV Column.  Karen Haber and Mia Nutick will be returning to handle the Artist Gallery.  Paul Witcover and Matt Staggs will be returning as our adult book reviewers, Michael Jones will be returning to YA books, and Jeff VanderMeer is returning to graphic novels.

The only change will be in our Gaming Column.  Longtime reviewer Eric T. Baker was offered his old position back, but he has gracefully declined.  He says he was planning on stepping down this year anyway.  We at RoF would like to thank him for his years of work on the magazine and we wish him well in his future endeavors.  In his place, Matt Staggs will be taking over the column.  Matt is an avid fan of tabletop RPGs and video games, and is excited to be bringing you the reviews about all of the latest fantasy games.  I hired Matt for a number of reasons, chief among them his knowledge of the field, his passion for RoF, and I believe having someone in-house take over the column will provide a measure of continuity to the magazine going forward.  At this time, I am uncertain if we have any paid-for pieces from Eric in our inventory that we'll be publishing first.  My intitial concern with our nonfiction department has been making sure we had all the proper columnists in place.  With this taken care of, I can now begin focusing on other areas of the department, including what we have and what we need in inventory.  Regardless, you can expect to see Matt's reviews of the latest games in the not-too-distant future.

You might also notice that based on this announcement it can be rightly guessed that all the old columns will be back.  I'm thrilled that so many of our columnists have chosen to return, and their enthusiasm has only made me that much excited to be working with them.

There is a lot of work left to do before this department is where it needs to be, but this is a major step.  I'm happy to have taken care of it in under a week.  I will now allow myself one relieved breath before rolling up my sleeves and getting back to work.  Columnists, you shall hear from me soon ...    

   

Hi Folks,

I know that a number of you have been curious as to how things would shake out with the nonfiction and art departments.  I have some news for you.  As some of you know, Laura Cleveland was in charge of these departments when RoF was still with Sovereign Media.  As I kind of figured would be the case, Laura will be remaining with Sovereign Media.  I'd like to thank her for the fine work and attention she put into this magazine for many years.  She helped build it into what it is.

So what happens now?

Well, I just got off the phone with Warren Lapine a little while ago.  Warren has offered me a promotion, asking if I'd be interested in becoming editor for the nonfiction, and also if I'd like to be the Art Director.  I've accepted both positions.  I will also be continuing in my duties as Assistant Editor regarding the fiction.

I'm sure all the art and nonfiction people are now bubbling with questions.  I can't blame you but I don't have answers for you just yet.  I just accepted this position a few minutes and will be putting together a list of questions to discuss with Warren.  Please be patient with me.  I'll get answers for you ASAP.

ETA: It is my understanding that Warren doesn't really want to change the nonfiction departments.  So if you were working with us before, then I think I can safely say that if you're still interested in your old gig, you will be working with us again.  To those of you I know, I'm looking forward to working with you.  To those I don't know, I'm looking forward to getting to you know you.  I know I have big shoes to fill.  I'll do my best.