Editor’s Edge - Magazine Updates

WELL, HERE WE ARE—FINALLY! The latest edition of the Permaculture Design Magazine has arrived in your inbox or mailbox (hopefully both, but let’s not jinx it). And as much as I’d love to start this letter with a charming anecdote about how the content of this issue is going to change your life, I’m afraid the most pressing thing I need to address is the delayed delivery. Yes, you read that right: it’s late (that’s an understatement, right?). And, trust me, I’ve been agonizing over it as much as you’ve been waiting for it.

So, before you give up on me and begin questioning your decision to subscribe to a publication that clearly doesn’t know the meaning of “on time,” allow me to explain what happened. And as it turns out, the reason this issue is late is less about lack of effort and more about the fact that, well...I’m new..

That’s right. I’m the new publisher and editor of this fine magazine, and while I may have some experience with words, content, and the occasional caffeine binge, what I lack in

experience, I make up for in sheer enthusiasm. But, as they say, enthusiasm is no match for a steep learning curve. And friends, I’ve been climbing that curve like a mountaineer who forgot to pack a lunch. And, thanks to our previous publisher, John Wages, I would never have gotten to base camp on this climb without his patient guidance and tutelage.

Cover for Issue #133

The New Editor’s Journey: More Climbing Than I Thought

When I took on the role of Editor, I was full of dreams. I envisioned myself expertly curating the best content, designing beautiful layouts, and hitting those all-important deadlines like

a magazine ninja. I imagined a life where my biggest problem was picking the perfect shade of green for the cover font. Simple, right?

Turns out, being the editor of a magazine is a bit more like being the lone captain of a ship stuck in a foggy, stormy sea. And by ship, I mean one that occasionally needs a complete overhaul. And by fog, I mean deadlines that seem to creep up faster than I can say “oh no, not another formatting issue.” And those storms? Well, let’s just say that a big part of this experience has been learning how to dodge them. Slowly. Very slowly.

In theory, I was supposed to be able to do this whole “find great content and format it perfectly” thing without breaking a sweat. But in reality? Well, let’s just say I’ve spent far too many hours staring at my screen wondering why the text box won’t align properly and how to find content that will make this edition worthy of the tradition of the magazine for the last several decades.

The Trials and Tribulations of Finding Content

Let’s talk about content. This is where I thought I could easily shine. After all, I have more ideas than a Pinterest board filled with DIY projects, right? And content is supposed to just flow. “Throw some ideas in the air, pick the best ones, and boom!”, I thought. Easy. But oh, how wrong I was.

Finding the right content—content that is timely, relevant, exciting, and will make readers say “Wow, this is the best magazine I’ve ever read!—is no small task. Sure, I could write

something myself, but let’s face it, no one wants an issue with more than 60 pages of “editor’s thoughts” on the use of swales or the books I’ve read, no matter how passionately I can describe them.

Speaking of content, I’d love to hear from you about your experiences with permaculture design and practices. You must have some thoughts that you can share with other readers about challenges you’ve overcome, tips on tools you’ve used, those pitfalls to avoid as a new designer. You don’t have to write a fancy thesis, just write like you’re talking to a friend about Permaculture.

Formatting: The Unseen Beast

Now, let’s talk about formatting. If you’re imagining me sitting at my desk, sipping iced tea while a perfectly arranged magazine magically appears on the screen, you’re mistaken. No.

Formatting is more like playing Tetris. But the pieces don’t fit. And you’re the one who has to make them fit. As a result, I’ve spent countless hours moving text boxes around, resizing images, and shouting “WHY WON’T YOU ALIGN?” at my screen. (It’s very glamorous, I promise.)

You see, formatting is the art of making everything look clean and professional while also not losing your mind in the process. And while the content may have been the star of the show, the formatting has been the reluctant sidekick, always just a tiny bit out of sync, causing me to lose several hours of sleep along the way.

The truth is, magazine publishing is a bit like baking a cake from scratch when you’ve never baked a cake before. At first, everything’s fine, but then you realize you don’t have half the

ingredients you need, and oh no!, did you forget the sugar? Will it even rise? And even if it does, will it look good when it’s done? But like every baker (or editor), you persevere, keep tweaking, and pray it all comes together at the end.

The Future: Punctuality, Here We Come!

So, enough with the excuses. Here’s the good news: I will catch up. Yes, I admit, this edition took me much longer than expected, but I promise you that I will catch up on the schedule, issue by issue, until we’re back on our typical quarterly distribution. I see a bright future when issues will arrive on time—and perhaps even a little early—if I can manage to wrestle with the formatting gods and make them work in my favor. I’m learning every step of the way, and I can already feel the rhythm of magazine-making clicking into place like the last piece of a jigsaw puzzle. Soon enough, I’ll be hitting deadlines with the precision of a Swiss

watchmaker, and you’ll get your issues as scheduled.

Until that magical moment comes, though, I hope you’ll continue to be as patient as you’ve been. I want to reassure you that even though this issue was late, it’s packed with the same

level of care and attention that I’ll be putting into every future edition. I’m determined to make sure that each one is worth the wait.

A Big Thank You

Before I wrap this up, I must acknowledge the patience and helpfulness of our previous publisher, John Wages, who has guided me through the publishing forest and helped me maneuver around the brambles and quicksand. The transition would be impossible

without his expertise and willingness to help me learn. Also, I want to shout-out a thank-you to Keith Johnson, who has kept the website humming along during the transition. Also, I also want to sincerely thank you, dear reader, for sticking with us through this learning process. I know it’s frustrating to wait for something you were excited about, but your support means the world. I promise, I’m not taking any of this for granted. Every edition I

publish, every late night I spend tweaking layouts, is a step closer to making sure you get the best version of this magazine on time.

And once again, a huge thank you for your patience and understanding. I’m learning the ropes, but with your support, we’re going to continue to make every issue something worth

reading—and on time, to boot. Stay tuned for the next edition, which will be in your mailbox (or screen) soon and will hopefully arrive with perfect formatting and only a small amount of last-minute chaos. ∆

With gratitude (and less caffeine than before),

Thom Illingworth

Editor/Publisher

Permaculture Design Magazine