And then there was one…
Putting aside the opening jokes and the excuses for why it’s been so long since one of these updates was last sent, I’m just going to be honest.
In my current line of work, that might seem like a bad idea. There are plenty of marketing notions out there that suggest pulling back the curtain to show what really happens behind the scenes is a good way to kill a brand.
Of course, most of those same marketing notions are focused on how to profit from the work you do, and T.O.F.U. has never really been good at that. Hell, T.O.F.U. may not even be good at being a brand per say, but I like to think the magazine has come to be known for something in at least a few circles. I also like to think those thoughts are positive.
So, where’s the honesty come in you ask?
The Inner Workings
With six issues out, and another one still in the works, T.O.F.U. has gone further than imagined when the idea first came into being. So many things have changed, some for the better, but some for the worse.
One of the negative changes is the fact that Team T.O.F.U. is currently one person. Sure, the magazine couldn’t get anywhere without all of the contributions from so many over the years, but, as it currently stands, the behind the scenes work is done by me. When it started, the magazine was driven by two people, and for every issue but one, that was always the case.
So, there is no team of editors, public relations, financial advisors, etc… There’s just me.
No, This Isn’t a Vegan Dating Ad
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not writing this as some sort of elaborate singles ad. In fact, I’m happily involved with someone at the moment, and I don’t see that changing. What I am writing this for is to hopefully help you understand a little better why the magazine is far from a constant publication and why some emails may go unanswered for some time.
As it stands, all the moving and changes my life has thrown at me over the past few years have pushed T.O.F.U. to the back burner. Sure, I’ve debated stopping the magazine, and I feel I made that clear before the last issue was released over a year ago, but I still think T.O.F.U. can do some good in the vegan community. Plus, with the great contributors and supporters who have approached me still onboard, and folks continuing to read the magazine, I can’t walk away.
That’s fine and all, but where’s my new issue?!?!
And that leads us to here: the end of January with no issue #7 on the digital shelf.
All I can tell you is that it’s being worked on. Folks have contributed some great work, and a few other pieces are still in the pipeline. Mainly, the delay is my fault. I’m sorry, but I’m only one person.
Sure, I could throw something together right now and put it out there, but all of you deserve, and should expect, much better. I’m hoping I can deliver that. I just don’t know when yet.
Patience is a virtue, right?
thanks for reading this and supporting the magazine,
Ryan
