As everyone in our corner of the SFF scene knows, Scalpel Magazine has been undergoing some problems.
Initially these problems were technical as Gabe's host server couldn't cope with an updated version of the Wordpress software and the entire thing collapsed in on itself like a decaying star. Then came the wait. The hours stretched to days and the days to weeks and we're now two issues and two weeks overdue. Meanwhile, I heard nothing from Gabe.
I have just finished talking to Gabe and I now have a better idea of where we stand. Evidently Gabe has had some personal problems that have prompted him to move to a place without internet connection. This internet connection problem is compounded by some financial difficulties that make the internet connection problem an open ended one. However, Gabe assures me that he has found a way of getting on the internet and that he will upload the content on Wednesday.
Even though I have not been an editor for long, I am intensely distressed by our continued failure to live up to the responsibilities we have not only to Scalpel's readers but also the people who wrote for us and gave us review copies in good faith that we would feature them in our magazine. As a result, I have decided that if Scalpel is not operational by the end of the week then I will no longer be one of the magazine's editors. As to what this might mean for the future of Scalpel I will leave up to Gabe.
Chouinard, unreliable? I am shocked, shocked!
Posted by: Burned Once | June 21, 2007 at 02:36 PM
So, what's the verdict? Still no update.
I provided a review that was supposed to be in the second 'issue' and I'm tempted just post it on my blog and be done with it - thoughts?
Posted by: Neth | June 21, 2007 at 03:29 PM
Well, as of now I've heard nothing. Gabe swore blind that he'd get something up on Wednesday and didn't do it but he did find time to pass an interview he did for Scalpel to a different site.
I was tempted to give him till the end of the week but pulling content and giving it to someone else without telling me when he could easily have just put the fucking thing up on the website is really beyond the pale and my patience is essentially gone.
I'll write to all of the contributors (you included) and thank them for their time and effort and instruct people to make of their offerings what they want.
Posted by: Jonathan McCalmont | June 21, 2007 at 03:35 PM
Thanks Jonathan - it's unfortunate that it turned out this way. To say the least, I've been disappointed and frustrated.
Posted by: Neth | June 21, 2007 at 04:13 PM
It is unfortunate and I agree, it's been disappointing and frustrating. I had such high hopes and I'm still really enthusiastic about the idea of running an online magazine but at this point it would be ludicrous to keep the thing running.
I am really really sorry, I should have taken a more active part in the running of the site and insisted upon neutral hosting and domain ownership, but I didn't.
Posted by: Jonathan McCalmont | June 21, 2007 at 04:25 PM
I am terribly disappointed.
Posted by: Terry | June 21, 2007 at 05:12 PM
I am sorry Terry.
I'm sorry for everyone concerned but I don't think that at this point there was any other option. If Gabe is publishing his stuff elsewhere then I think everyone else concerned should do the same. Don't you?
Posted by: Jonathan McCalmont | June 21, 2007 at 05:19 PM
Oh, absolutely, Jonathan. You've undoubtedly made the right decision. I'm just sorry that Gabe made the decisions *he* made, that's all.
Posted by: Terry | June 21, 2007 at 08:37 PM
Oh, absolutely, Jonathan. You've undoubtedly made the right decision. I'm just sorry that Gabe made the decisions *he* made, that's all.
Posted by: Terry | June 21, 2007 at 08:37 PM