Dear Fools,
We know that this time is unprecedented, overwhelming, and confusing. We’ve been working diligently to provide an altered member experience in the face of the new obstacles caused by COVID-19. Even despite the new challenges, it remains our firm belief that every dues-paying member and contributor deserves a printed issue of volume 8. We are therefore working towards a slightly adjusted production schedule that will ensure the distribution of Fools merchandise and magazines, and to celebrate the launch of this semester’s work: a beautiful culmination of your collaborative creative efforts.
Our new release date has been moved back one week, to Friday, May 8th. Mark your calendars now, and be ready for a web-based launch on foolsmag.com where we are working to cultivate an exciting experience that allows us to present art and literature side-by-side in new and innovative ways. While physical magazines will not be in the hands of our members or contributors by this date, all content that has been accepted for volume 8 will be officially published online (as we usually do) and made available to the public. Read below to see what we need from you.
CONTRIBUTORS:
Author/Artist Bios – Please email us a brief 3rd-person bio that can be paired with your headshot no later than Thursday, April 16th. Writers, email your bios to either foolsmagwritingassistant@gmail.com (Natalie) or foolsmagazinewritingassistant@gmail.com (Melissa). Artists, email your bios to photofoolsmag@gmail.com (Hayley). These should be brief, around 3 sentences. (For example: Sammy is a junior at the University of Iowa studying cinema and studio art. Her work has been previously published in Ink Lit Mag, earthwords, and Fools Magazine. Find her Twitter/Facebook/Instagram at ____).
Recorded Readings – We will be providing an audio component to each of your pieces. This includes all written pieces AND any written work appearing alongside art (like artist statements). Along with your author bio, feel free to include the names (and contact information if possible) of potential readers for your piece, whom we will then reach out to. Otherwise, we will plan to select someone from the community. We are most interested in other artists from the University of Iowa and Iowa City community, influential professors/mentors, etc. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out.
DUES-PAYERS & CONTRIBUTORS:
Magazine & Merchandise – We believe you deserve a physical copy of volume 8 and any accompanying merchandise you paid dues for. We are working diligently with the university to come up with safe options for distribution. Please fill out this Google form by MAY 1ST regarding our options for distribution and we will get a magazine and/or merchandise to you!
UPDATED SCHEDULE:
April 16: artist and writer bios due via email
April 22: preview of the magazine for all contributors and members via Zoom
April 23: guest reader recordings due
April 24: issue’s marketing launch
May 1: shipping information due for merch and magazine delivery
May 8: RELEASE DAY
All decisions we make going forth will be the result of careful consideration of your feedback & best interest. At this time, we are unable to begin operations for shipping magazines to the public–we have made the decision to prioritize our members and contributors. However, as soon as it is safe to distribute volume 8 in and around Iowa City for the public (in places like like Prairie Lights, Java House, Chauncey Filmscene, UI campus buildings, and more), we will do so.
During this time, we are reminded how thankful we are for our members and contributors, and the work you continue to offer Fools. We have faith that, even in the face of adversity, each and every one of you will continue to be powerful and influential creators. It is a beautiful thing to be an artist in times of stress; indeed, we hope you are able to find solace in any ability to read, write, or create right now. Art has been responding to crises throughout its history.
If you have concerns about our updated process, any questions, or are simply looking for someone to lean on at the moment, we are here for you. The Fools family is in this together. All editors can be reached by email and are more than happy to make themselves available to you as we go forth into the rest of the semester and volume 8.
Wishing you peace, safety, and good health,
The Fools Magazine team
CONTACT FOOLSMAG@GMAIL.COM, OR YOUR RESPECTIVE EDITOR IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS.
Ellie Zupancic, Editor-in-Chief: eicfoolsmag@gmail.com
Anna Nelson, EIC Assistant: foolseicassistant@gmail.com
Grace Oeth, Managing Editor: managingfoolsmag@gmail.com
Vivian Le, Creative Director: creativefoolsmag@gmail.com
Seth Moffitt, Treasurer: foolsmagtreasurer@gmail.com
Gabbie Meis, Web Editor: webfoolsmag@gmail.com
Katie Sailer, Design Editor: designfoolsmag@gmail.com
Hayley Anderson, Photo Editor: photofoolsmag@gmail.com
Skyler Barnes, Writing Editor: foolsmagskyler@gmail.com
Hannah Gulick, Writing Editor: foolsmaghannah@gmail.com
Nicole Pagliari, Writing Editor: foolsmagnicole@gmail.com
Header image by Sage Anderson