TowerWeb Productions
The Alternative Library

Summer 2005 Editorial Introduction

(continued from issue #10 home page)

The bottom line is that being both the Webmaster and Editor for the Midnight Times has proven to be far more demanding and rewarding than I ever imagined it would be. Part of the whole idea with getting this online e-zine going was due to my long hiatus from reading literature and writing fiction and poetry. There was about an eight-year period of time during which I was completely enveloped in learning about computers and earning an M.A. in Information Science. But while I was working on the computer side of my interests, it dawned on me that such an endeavor as creating an Internet based literary magazine for new writers would be just the thing to tie together two of my favorite hobbies. So I decided on "Midnight Times" for the name, and set about creating the MT web site in an effort to provide a place where other people like myself--who are interested in reading and writing fiction and poetry--would have a place to present their work on the World Wide Web. I figured that this would surely inspire myself to start writing again.

Encouraged by ongoing correspondence with JJ Collins, not only did we get the Midnight Times really going, but I started writing again, and I have continued to be fairly productive when I can actually find time to write. As it is, the great upside to the Midnight Times has been the opportunity to publish so many excellent works by the contributing authors.

However, the one downside has been that I have had to dedicate so much of my time to being an "editor," that coming up with free time for working on my own writing projects has become extremely difficult. I am currently trying to complete what is essentially a new novel, as well as editing an anthology of classic works of vampire literature. Just like all of you readers and contributors, I have a real world job that demands my attention full time, a fiancée who is the love of my life (and our very soon to arrive Caribbean wedding cruise), a car and a house to maintain, two hockey teams I play for with guys who expect my leadership and participation, the rest of the TowerWeb Productions web site and domain that always needs updating. Ultimately writing and editing is a hobby, and as such I dedicate as much time as I can--I just wish there was more than 24 hours in a day.

I guess the final word is that much of my life is devoted to my creative interests, but just like everyone else, I also have to pay the bills. Maybe someday this can become my full time job. Obviously that's my hope. I love doing this, and would like nothing more than to devote my time and effort to it full time. However, until that time comes I'll just keep with it as much as I can, and publish as many works by the contributing authors as I can realistically make time for. Thanks for submitting all the great poetry and fiction! --JFM, 7/1/05