The World of Myth Magazine

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Blessed Solstice and Happy Yule.

Oh and HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

This is our last issue of 2019, can you believe the entire year has gone by already? It's been a whirlwind for me.

When I think back on last December, I was not looking forward to January, if I am to be honest. That was the month I was to step into the role as Editor and I had no idea what I was doing. None. I was stressing over making everything perfect, not making any mistakes, making sure everything was edited properly and choosing only the best pieces for the magazine and not disappointing or upsetting any of the contributors.

My how things have changed in a year!!

I say that with tongue in cheek of course. I still stress over the very same things, each and every month, but, I have gained some confidence in my role. Enough so that I was promoted to Editor in Chief and temporary Executive Director of Publishing Brands. I was pleasantly surprised to find such a supportive group within this magazine! Not just the staff but the contributor's themselves. You all encouraged me, and sent me wonderful messages to help me keep going. I can't say thank you enough.

I still make mistakes, I am human after all, I still worry that I am putting out the best for our readers, that I am doing justice to our contributors. I still doubt my ability to do this job effectively and wait for someone to call me fraud. But that is all my personal insecurities. The fact of the matter is, the magazine is growing, we are adding new contributors on a monthly basis and have our regular contributors who return month after month. We have a good reputation and I am fielding requests for publication almost weekly. So, I think that means I am doing a fairly decent job. (I'm not looking for praise here LOL!!)

I didn't know any of you when I joined the staff. You were all just fellow writers, and artists that I had shared a page with. Over this past year, I have formed friendships with many of you, even if it is online. We chat, we laugh, and we encourage each other.

When I say "welcome to the family" when we have someone new join, I truly mean that. David K Montoya, our ever elusive leader, has always said he wants to foster a family atmosphere. Make The World of Myth a place for writers and artists to feel at home. A place where we all feel comfortable with each other and I think, between us all, we have done that. It certainly feels like home to me. You all feel like my big crazy family!

I went over many of the big changes that happened over the past year, in my podcast The World of Mythbits, but we have seen some in the magazine as well.

The intro used to always be a grocery list of what was in the magazine. Welcoming new writers, congratulating the past Member of the Month, and etc. It left very little room for the Editor to get personal. To say anything else other than what was in the magazine. No time for reflection on the previous issue, or the upcoming issue. No personal comments or commentary, so, I changed that. I do a magazine review every month and I felt that using the intro to rehash that took away from the more in depth approach I give in the podcast. As the new writers list grew, it became increasingly difficult to keep track of everyone, so now I welcome the new writers as a group.

Welcome to the family by the way!!!

We have eliminated categories, and added new ones to keep up with the latest writing styles. We have updated our submission guidelines, because I am stickler for clarity and being very very clear. I have had to wear the "I'm the big mean editor" hat a few times, but have done it with kindness and compassion, (I hope) and I have seen people I have encouraged grow and flourish over the year.

All in all, my first year as Editor of this magazine has been wonderful. Thankfully I was invited to renew my contract and I am excited and ready to take on 2020!

Until next year my friends, stay creative!

Stephanie J Bardy
Editor In Chief (for at least another year!)