We here at Mad Swirl are turn-turn-turning, mix-mix-mixing things up and keeping this swirlin' whirlin' into 2012... and beyond!
The first turn we're turning is on our editorial staff. Gordon Hilgers, our former Short Story Editor, is now Mad Swirl's Resident Critic. If you know Gordon, you'll understand why we felt his talents are best suited for this role. Come MadSwirl.com 2.0 time (see below), Gordon's role will play a significant part by adding in his spiciness to the content through his commentary, critiques and sharings'o'links. We're looking forward to seeing what he stirs up!
With that being said...
Please welcome aboard the newest member to Mad Swirl's editorial staff, Short Story Editor Tyler Malone. Tyler is a longtime contributor to our Poetry Forum and Short Story library as well as our stand-in Poetry Editor when MH Clay is off globetrotting. Tyler was asked and tasked with the job of filling the very large editorial shoes of Gordon. Why Tyler? We have several reasons. Just to name a few... 1) Tyler is a very talented writer himself. 2) Tyler's voice will be a great addition to the harmonizing ditty we sing here at the Swirl AND 3) Tyler sends us homemade chocolate chip cookies every week! (OK, he doesn't, but maybe he'll take the hint) We know you'll agree with us on our reasoning behind our selection.
But wait, we're not stopping there... there's more!
Another yearnin' for the turnin' comes swirlin' thru our monthly Open Mic. As some of you know, we've been stirrin' up madness at Absinthe Lounge for over 7 years now. That's like 84 in open mic years! It's time to switch things up a bit, wouldn't you say? We say yes! Mad Swirl will still do the 1st Wednesday poetically musical voodoo that we do do but starting in March we will bring back feature sets, streamline our list, and do 2 bigger shows this year in the same vein of our past Swirl-a-bout and Blue Note events. Stay tuned fo' mo'!
Getting dizzy yet? Yeah, we too...
Did someone say Mad Swirl Anthology? Yep, we did... this time last year. We planned on doing a print anthology in 2011. But as John Lennon sang, "Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans" Life happened to us. But luckily, life goes on and so do our plans and promises! We are in the process of gathering the best of the "best of" poetry, short stories and artwork featured in 2011. If you were a part of our online community of mad ones you just might make our biggest print issue yet! We got a goal and doggone it we're gonna do our darndest to get it all between a front and back cover and into your hands by the time the trees start filling in with leaves.
Feel those winds a'changin'? How refreshing!
Speaking of refreshing, Mad Swirl plans on unveiling the new, and improved MadSwirl.com 2.0! Yes, it's been teased before but we never unveiled this latest phase of our creative evolution. The new design will allow for direct commentary from you, our fellow mad ones! Yes, Facebook is great for that too. With our 2.0 version you can intermingle with both MadSwirl.com and Facebook! We will also be able to post more rapidly meaning less time in the review queue for you! And with the RSS feed capabilities, you'll know exactly when, what and who we post the minute we post. Look for this turn this summer!
"A time to be born, a time to die / A time to plant, a time to reap" We couldn't agree more with the Byrds. It is time. Change isn't a comin', change is here! We're ready. We're willing. We're able.
Mad Swirl-fully Yours,
Johnny O
Editor-in-Chief
