I want to give you all an explanation on why Issue 9 still hasn't been released, and to apologize.

I know you all have heard it a thousand times before, but I am sorry that the issue is late. This time I can't even point to some life crisis to blame it on, it's just been my lack of motivation. 100% my fault and it does feel like I've failed those few staff that are still with me. To those staff, I'm truly sorry and please don't run off on me!

As you may have heard we are extremely short-staffed here at dA Zine. This next issue will have some blank spots and other spots that would have been blank have been filled with my desperate attempts at journalistic writing. I promise I won't be offended if none of you read them!

That lack of consistency of staffing takes it's toll on those few of us who have been here since the beginning. It is extremely difficult mentally to get yourself to complete an issue when you know that the next issue will be at least as difficult to gather content for. There is a lot of disappointment involved that often outweigh the joy of another good issue. Working full time as a graphic designer doesn't help when the last thing I want to do after a day of design is to come home and design some more. On top of that, my fellow founders have started college and can no longer assist me as they have in the past. It is because of these reasons that I've debated back and forth with myself over the past month on if Issue 9 should be the last or not.

I have decided that I will keep going with dA Zine however on a far less formal basis. The structure will partially revert back to previous structures in that articles will be included on an as-submitted basis. Features will remain the same, as will the critiques and parting shots. Deadlines will be much less structured (not that we ever managed to observe them anyway!) but hopefully not having so many 'rules' to follow for our staff and myself should make them easier to meet. And hockey season starts in 2 weeks for me so my free time will be extremely limited.

We do what we can with the hand we are given. Thank you for reading this far and I hope I can get Issue 9 to you in the coming weeks.
-Jessie
( =GoaliGrlTilDeath )