Update 7-8-2014
July 8, 2014 Announcements
Hey zombie fans,
First, sincere apologies for the radio silence on the part of your editor. It’s been an insane 2014 for numerous personal reasons, including the death of a parent. Given the multitude of things happening in and around my life I need to face facts and step down as the editor of this fine publication. 7 years feels like a good run.
That being said, I’d like to open things up to a new editor: you(?). Given the number of outstanding authors and contributors we have on the site, I’m sure one or more of you would be a great, likely better editor than yours truly.
If you’re interested, email the story submission address on the site and Pete and/or I will get back to you.
I will continue to pay for hosting the site and will continue to keep the technical side of things up and running. I just don’t have the time to dedicate to working with the submissions we receive.
Thank you all for your patience.
Ryan West
Hi Ryan, my condolences on your recent loss. It’s always a rough time and unfortunately there’s little anyone can say to ease it, but we’re all with you.
I looked after a local community website for two years and it nearly killed me, so I imagine I know where you’re coming from in your need to step down after seven. I’m also kind of hoping that someone whose name rhymes with Sheet or Tweet or Neat or something will step bravely into the breech and fill the large gap that’ll be left by your (semi) absence. No pressure on that person, of course, whoever it might be.
I know I won’t be the only one who’ll be sorry to see you step down, though; you’ve done an exemplary job as owner, editor, proof reader, manager, secretary, coffee maker, director, decision maker and bouncer of this site.
Speaking personally TOWWZ provoked me into putting pen to paper for the first time ever and I have to thank you for all the encouragement I received by having my stories posted. Writing them is always such a blast for me now.
Anyway, the very best of luck to you with all your future endeavours. Stay chilly. You’ll be missed.
Kevin
Comment by KevinF on July 8, 2014 @ 2:20 pm
Ryan,
Like Kevin, I hate to hear of the loss of anyone in someone’s life. My condolences to you and your family.
Also like Kevin, I’ve helped out on a website similar to this and I know it is a TON of work. Just the slush reading alone can make your eyes bleed.
And, yet again like Kevin, I have been visiting TOWWZ for the last 5 or so years. It’s this site that helped me develop Hank Walker and helped me realize that I can do this thing called writing.
I wish you well, my friend.
Comment by A.J. Brown on July 8, 2014 @ 3:34 pm
Ryan, you accepted my first ever attempt at having a story published, and for that I will forever be in your debt. You also gave me honest and brutal feedback on those submissions that weren’t up to scratch, which helped me improve each time. I wish you all the best in whatever you do from this point on, and hope that we still hear from you from time to time; maybe even get a few of your own shorts appearing on this great site.
I would love to say I could put my name forward to help as editor, but given that it would end up being Brit orientated (Pete and me)I just don’t see myself A) being able to spend time reading submissions due to personal work load and B) actually being up to the grade required to pick out the best stories for the readers. Of course if Pete ever needs help with the odd one or two shorts, and I have a free weekend I may just have my arm twisted.
Don’t be a stranger buddy.
Nick
Comment by Nick Lloyd on July 8, 2014 @ 4:48 pm
Condolences to you and your family.
Like many others, I’m sure, I check the website almost daily…when there was silence for awhile, (even Bong stopped commenting,) I was worried.
Thank you for what you have done for the last 7 years. There is no other place like this on the interwebs. No other place would publish my stories… 🙂
I have everything crossed that someone will step in and fill those huge shoes of yours.
Thanks again.
Comment by Justin Dunne on July 8, 2014 @ 6:56 pm
Thank you for what you have done here. I hope things start looking up for you.
Comment by gunldesnapper on July 9, 2014 @ 6:58 am
Thanks to all – and good news is coming up. But I’ll let the bearer of said news make the announcement.
I am doing ok all told – traveling to Yellowstone to scatter mom’s ashes next week. Here’s to seeing her off proper.
Thanks again to all, and lord knows I’m not disappearing, just stepping back.
Yours,
Ryan West
Comment by Editor W. on July 9, 2014 @ 4:45 pm
I’m so sorry to hear about your mother … and thank you for all your hard work. You’ve earned a break anyway. I hope the next editor will be at least half as good.
Hugz ‘n’ stuff
Jasmine
Comment by Jasmine DiAngelo on July 10, 2014 @ 3:30 am
My Condolences on the loss of your mum. Its tough but it will get better. I am not a writer but I have read every story put up here and you will be sadly missed by writers and readers alike. Hopefully someone will step up.
Comment by Derek Melia on July 10, 2014 @ 6:15 am
Sorry to hear about the passing of your mother. Thank you for all of the work you have put in to this site. Take care and hope you and your family are doing well.
Comment by Terry on July 12, 2014 @ 7:42 am
I am very sad to hear of your departed mother, Ryan and offer my condolences.
Hope Your trip to the Grand Canyon will be both Mystic and full of Grandeur.
(Thank you Justin for noticing my Absence, im just dead tired from watching over the construction of my little house and stuff happened that made me see more of human nature than i would have liked.
Hopefully i can get back into my groove haunting my favorite websites by mid august when i have moved in and settled down.)
Again Ryan, thanks for this website and everything you have done and will keep doing.
It’s the only place on the net where i can get
actual gems of zombie fiction.
Comment by bong on July 15, 2014 @ 10:46 am
My condolences for your loss, losing anyone is tough but a parent even more so. I wish you well in your future, and know that this site has provided many hours of enjoyment and has been very well run. Thank you for the years of great management and taking the time providing this forum for us
Comment by Derek R on July 15, 2014 @ 1:39 pm