Looking Ahead

Daniel K. Appelquist

I've got a lot of nerve to sit here and think that you'd bother to read an editor's column; hell, I certainly don't in other magazines. But just in case you happen to be reading, I do have some news for y'inz (That's a Pittsburghism -- more evidence of my inevitable mental decline.)

Topping the bill, it seems that as `The Net' continues to expand, the number of net fiction magazines expands with it. A new magazine, `Core', has sprung up, or is in the process of springing up. Core's editor is Rita Rouvalis (rita@eff.org), and while I don't know very much more about it, I wish her good luck. More info on Core is provided at the end of this issue, along with `ad's' for other network magazines.

I was pleased to see that InterText came out with its second issue this month. Originally, we were going to plan it so that our magazines did not come out at the same time, but I'm afraid delays and erratic schedules on both sides have ruined this rather neat plan. Oh well, those of you subscribed to both magazines will just have more to read this month...

Magazines like InterText, Core, and Quanta are important for a reason: creativity. The greatest gift of man is to be able to create, to come up with new ideas, new visions. This creativity is the stuff of life. That is one of the reasons why I edit and produce Quanta -- I'd like to think that I am doing my part to engender this process of creativity. Of course, I say this knowing full well that I have none of my own, at least not for this column.

This is the tenth issue of Quanta yet produced, and it's a really good one. We have for you, something old, something new, some original viewpoints and some familiar voices. I think you'll find it interesting. Hopefully you'll find it as enjoyable to read as it was time-consuming to edit! I really enjoyed editing this issue. I think that, perhaps, after almost two years of this, I'm finally getting the hang of it.

On that topic, I'm still combing the Net for submissions. I urge any writers or potential writers out there to come forward with stories and/or articles. I'm not as desperate as I was this past April (not by a long-shot) but I can always use more submissions, especially from authors who are new to Quanta.

Also, I again want to thank all those people who sent in contributions -- Slowly, but surely, the ability for Quanta to become self-sufficient is being facilitated. We still need more, however. If you haven't contributed yet, remember that you are the only chance that Quanta has to survive. If Quanta can't start to support its own production, then I soon won't be able to produce it any more. Sad, but true. I encourage you, if you have the money, to send in $5 to the address on the contents page of this issue. I'll get off my soap-box now...

One more item of note in this issue: Jesse Allen's `Earth as an Example,' a three part series, starts this issue. Unlike Jim Vassilakos's `The Harrison Chapters' which is also featured this issue, `Earth as an Example' is not an open-ended series. You're guaranteed to see its conclusion within this calendar year.

I have been so busy recently that I hardly had time to produce this issue. And this is the summer! I'm supposed to be on vacation! Ah well, I'll soon be headed off to Aspen for a needed vacation from my vacation, so life isn't all bad. I'll see you all in two months (October) when Quanta will celebrate it's SECOND birthday.

I want to leave off with a rather sad note. I recently learned of the untimely death of Gary Frank, one of the first contributors to Quanta. I never knew Gary, except as an email correspondent, but I have heard that he was an extrordinaty person. `Aware', a story he wrote for the October 1989 issue, certainly shows that he had more than just a flair for the tragic, as well as a caustic sense of humor. This issue is dedicated to his memory.

Quanta is Copyright(c)1994 Daniel K. Appelquist.
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