| |
I feel like repeating I'm myself as this issue is yet again late. Everything was set to allow us to catch up all our delays with this issue. Of course, there are always some unexpected factors that ruin all our plans. In this case, it was some recurring episodes of flu (I am writing this with my box of tissue on one side and the trashcan on the other). When both staff members have a nasty flu (with heavy congestion, headache and muscular pains all over) that never seems to end, it reduces dynamism and seriously affects production. The fluctuating weather and temperature is to blame, though they said it was a bug coming from Asia, which just goes to show that the Pacific Rim is not bringing only good things, like our beloved Japanese animation (in this case it was suspended animation).
Despite the pain and the sickness, we bravely fought against our deadline and resisted the temptation to cut corners. We have even put more care than usual to make this issue overflowing of detailed information (you will note that there is more news and a section dedicated to models news). We also took some time to start a couple of new projects that we hope to be able to announce soon. We may be late, but it is not because we have been lazy!
Producing a magazine like PA could be a lot of fun but, with such a small staff, it is also very difficult. That's why we are accepting all the help we can get (particularly if we want to eventually become monthly). This year could not be a better time to contribute to the magazine with your own articles since we are now paying for the contributions. We will still continue to accept reviews, news blurbs, opinion articles, and letters on a voluntary basis only, but we will pay $0.01 per word for all "Anime & Manga World" articles (Convention reports, interviews, side stories, article on Japanese culture) and $0.03 per word (about $20 per page, an average page containing about 600 words) for all main features (presentation of an animation with general overview, character & mecha files, synopses, review, etc.) or "Anime Story" articles (one-page overview/review). All contributors will also receive proper credits in the magazine and a free copy of the issue where their articles is published. I agree that it is not much, but it is a beginning and the amount paid will be raised each year. To know more about our terms and conditions, ask for our "Contributor Guidelines".
This issue offers another TV special. First, with a TV series that is likely to eventually make it to our TV set (MAGIC KNIGHT RAYEARTH) and, second, with a series that has already successfully reached it (DRAGON BALL Z). There is also plenty of news and reviews to keep you busy for a while and might make you spend more money on anime goods. Most of the titles we are reviewing in this issue are very good.
I hope you will enjoy this issue, don't forget to give us some feedback Ñ and don't worry: we will be there again in about two months!
Claude J. Pelletier
NEXT ISSUE
PA #45 will features spotlights on the fighting animation of the year, BATTLE ARENA TOSHINDEN and STREET FIGHTER II V, a feature on THE ROSE OF VERSAILLES, our usual news & reviews and the results of our poll. Don't miss it! Available in May...