I broke the news to the contributors yesterday that The F-Bomb is shutting down after the 10th issue comes out. I got the response that I thought I would: Hardly anyone said anything, save for the three other people that ran zines. Karley (The Filth), Keith (Every Reason), and Deirdree (Gag Me With A...) were pretty much the only one that gave a rat's ass. Not a peep from anyone else except for Ben who has been helping me copy-edit for a long time and Jon Kulczar who does the Wicket & Imp comic. It was just as I suspected, though. If people can't even care enough to be bothered to contribute (even after they promise a contribution or whine about getting their way on something and then I give it to them) why would they care if the one thing I've been the most passionate about in my life was shutting down?
I cited the fact that I didn't have the money to print them up anymore as the reason why it all had to come to an end. That's only partially true. One of the main reasons I don't want to do it anymore is because of all the half-assed submissions I keep getting from actual friends that I can't turn away because of friendship politics. Submissions I hated but had to use my own money to print up...it really just killed me. It came to the point that I only liked a few pieces in a 44 page zine and that's when I decided I'd had enough. It was time to for change.
It was also the fact that my main type of submission was fiction. Fiction is fine, don't get me wrong, but when 75% of what you're getting is fiction and you've always had a soft spot in your heart for creative non-fiction, well...it just gets tough.
Also the bad poetry. OH MY GOD. The poetry I have gotten. Jesus. It was like every stanza of every poem caused me to cringe. That's a lot of cringing.
All in all, I am sad that The F-Bomb has grabbed so many fans and attention from places and now that has to come to an end and be all for nothing. I do plan on another collaborative project...after I weed out all the bullshit contributors from The F-Bomb. No more open calls for submissions. I am definitely going to hand-pick the people that I want for this next venture.
And it's going to be awesome. Trust me.
I know what you mean about bad submissions (especially terrible poetry). It gets very frustrating at times. I really am sorry The F-Bomb had to meet her demise, but I am anxious to see what you do next!
ReplyDeletePeace,
Keith
Oh, there will definitely be a next. For sure. I will absolutely keep you informed, Keith! You are one of like, two people I know that writes great poetry!
DeleteThree, counting me. If I do say so myself, which I do. ;) Because I know you know another really really excellent poet—whom we both know.
ReplyDeleteI love it that you say you have a soft spot for creative nonfiction. That is definitely the thing I gravitate toward, too. Sometimes I don't have the patience to read a novel, but creative nonfiction and essays just grab me and pull me in. I think they're more intimate and more informative, which I like. I like learning.* (*Say it in a slightly high-pitched monotone in your mind as you read it.)
Also, sorry about the F-Bomb. It was a door to new and better things, I'm sure. Creativity is growth.
ReplyDelete