A year ago today, we released what we thought would be the first (of many) issues of our creative journal. We were so excited to put this beautiful collection of visual art and words out into the world, and to give our lesbian community’s creativity a new platform.
That first issue was a resounding success, and we are PROUD of it. There was great enthusiasm and support for this project, and we are grateful to ALL of our contributors and readers.
Sadly, at least for now, the journal is on hold. It’s not dead, but it is definitely on life support. My co-publisher has had a change in life circumstances and has had to step away from this endeavor. That affects the bottom line, but MORE importantly this was never meant to be a solo project. I do not wish to carry the entire weight – financially, creatively, energetically – on my own.
The success of our first issue may have been due to an already existing community of lesbians in the San Francisco Bay Area (more specifically, Walnut Creek’s Rossmoor 55+ community), who were thrilled to contribute to and support our journal. The creativity that emerged from (mostly) this community, was awesome indeed. But our mission from the start was to reach a larger and more diverse lesbian community in terms of age, ethnicity and geography.
As we attempted to sift through submissions for a second issue, we realized we had not attracted the diversity we’d hoped for. Admittedly, some of that was lack of skill in promoting/marketing our project to a wider audience. We wondered whether we had simply created a “one hit wonder” – although I don’t really believe that; I think there’s a hunger for what our journal offers.
SO…
I’m looking for a partner, someone who is willing to invest financially, as well as someone who has that marketing skill set I lack. If you think you are that person (or you know of someone who might be) please contact me. justabunchoflesbians@gmail.com.
In the meantime, for those of you who have submitted work for what was going to be our spring (and then fall) issue, please feel free to submit your work elsewhere. We’ve held onto your work long enough, and want you to find a place for it to “live” beyond your imagination.
The digital version of our inaugural issue is still available for purchase HERE.
I hope this is not “goodbye.” – Celenia Delsol, Publisher
