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 |  | GATOR SPRINGS GAZETTE a literary journal of the fictional persuasion | |
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| | GATOR SPRINGS GAZETTE a literary journal of the fictional persuasion | |
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| FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS | ||
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On this page you will find the answers to some of the burning questions asked by our readers—sometimes we have to read between the lines to find them.
What is Gator Springs Gazette?
Gator Springs Gazette is a literary journal with virtual offices in the fictional town of Gator Springs, transported by a fortuitous meteorological event to its own previously uninhabited island in the Florida Keys. Its very real volunteer staff and guest contributors come together from all over the world through a weirdly-wired web, the hub of which you are connected to right now.
a literary journal of the fictional persuasion — what does that mean?
At first this was a tongue in cheek reference to the fictional staff created by Carrie Berry. While she did most of the grunt work, there was some degree of community and emotional support among the contributors themselves. When some of these became real life staff members the expression referred to the content that was mostly fiction.
Is Gator Springs Gazette a print journal or an ezine?
Both. GSG the ezine has been providing a unique reading experience for its readers since 2001. In January of 2004, the first simultaneous print version of GSG was released. Print issues were released monthly, then quarterly until the last issue was printed in 2005. The same material was showcased subsequently in electronic format online.
How was Gator Springs Gazette put in the hands of readers?
The first issues were available through CafePress where individual issues could be purchased directly by readers or by GSG staff who would then send them out. Prices were reasonable and quality was good. Unfortunately shipping costs were raised exponentially over time.
Subscriptions were available once we found a print source that allowed discounts for bulk purchases. Distribution was a accomplished with hard work and creative energy by the volunteers who managed to put up with my uniquely bloody-minded management style. They were stars all. As the process stabilized, contributors received a subscription in addition to their contributor copy. Subscribers also received special consideration for contests.
Contests? There were contests?
Fandango Virtual originally sponsored peer selected poetry competitions in the Metamorphosis poetry forum/workshop. Winners received a book of poetry and publication in iguanaland.
Gator Springs Gazette sponsored a flash fiction contest in 2003 for publication in our one and only flash fiction issue, ALL THAT GLITTERS, published in April 2004. The prizes were donated by some of the contributors in the spirit of fun and included issues of various literary mags, books and Canadian Tire Money. A social success, that issue was a financial loss as each short entry earned a contributor copy and very few others were sold.
The winning entries for the 2004 Fiction Contest from Rusty Barnes, Richard Madelin and Kathy Fish were published in the second issue of 2005, ARE WE THERE YET?. Judges for the contest were Tom Saunders, (author of Brother, What Strange Place Is This?), and GSG staff members Bob Arter, Gabriel Orgrease and Jonathan Redhorse.
In 2005 Fandango Virtual opened the contest to the combined readership of its two quarterly publications, Gator Springs Gazette and Bonfire. Through a blind reading by a panel of rigorous judges (who chose to remain anonymous) a shortlist of 12 was selected. Head judge, Susan O'Neill, (author of Don't Mean Nothing: Short Stories of Viet Nam), selected our winners: 1st Prize ($500) The Grand Parade by Richard Madelin, 2nd Prize ($200) In My Broken Chair by Tanya Laramie and 3rd Prize ($100) Blooms by Kathy Fish. The issue in which they were to appear was not published.
Links to published winning entries can be found in THE GSG VAULT
Has Fandango Virtual nominated any Gator Springs Gazette stories for the Pushcart Prize?
Pushcart Nominations — 2004
KARMA by Susan O'Neill THE BOY IN THE BLUE SUIT by G.W. Cox AND THE SUN SOARED FROM THE SEA, OH ME by Bob Arter RILEY'S SHOES by Bob Arter PROMISES TO KEEP by Michael Glassman Pushcart Nominations — 2005
JUST WASH IT AWAY by Tawsha K. Brinkley The balance of Fandango nominations were alotted to Bonfire
ACROSS THE RIVER by Richard Madelin ANGEL OF THE COMPOST by Gary Cadwallader How can I submit my work to Gator Springs Gazette?
Submissions are no longer being accepted. The last issue was published in 2005.
So why is this being published now?
It's a long story. The short version is that Fandango Virtual is worth remembering with these examplars of its online presence.
How many issues were published?
Information on the published issues can be found in the THE GSG VAULT. Some of the content has been linked so you can enjoy it again. And before you ask, there are no plans to upload all of the old content.
Did the Gazette ever turn a profit?
No.
Who is the alien in the animated logo?
According to his creator, his name is U.F.O. Jones. ufo/gator animation |
| FRIENDS OF THE GATOR | |||
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The following people enjoy the BOUNTEOUS KARMA that comes from supporting Gator Springs Gazette with their financial contributions, volunteer labor and invaluable technical advice: | |||
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| PAST CONTRIBUTORS TO GSG | |||
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The following people have enjoyed their 15 minutes of fame, a lifetime of notoriety and the BOUNTEOUS KARMA that comes from supporting Gator Springs Gazette with their contributions of art, poetry, short stories, novel excerpts and articles: | |||
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We hold our contributors in the highest regard—without them there would have been no Gator Springs Gazette!
If you have other questions you'd like answered, please write to us at:
fandango-vee@ntlworld.com back to Gator Springs Gazette | |||
