A LITTLE Q & A

Let me welcome you once again to the premiere issue of Altered States Magazine!

This is my little space to rant and rave about whatever I feel like talking about. This is my column. I may write feature stories, I may write the "Logon" column describing what's in the current issue, but this is my definite place to express my opinions.

So what do I want to talk about first? Well, I want to talk about my magazine. You've probably got some questions about it. Let's see if I can answer some for you right now.

Why another fanzine?

This isn't just another fanzine.

Come off your high horse. It's a fanzine, like the rest of them.

Well, it is a fanzine, yes. But it's not like the rest of them.

Okay. Why is it not like the rest of them?

Simple -- there is no print version of Altered States Magazine to buy. It's completely free and online at the moment. Who knows? There may be special issues that I'll print up, but for the moment, this is 100 percent in the digital age.

Is that all that's different?

Nope. This is also different because while I'll report the biggest news in the Transformer world, most likely if you're reading this online, you already know the biggest news in the Transformer world. So it defeats the purpose of reporting it and making it the be-all and end-all place to get news.

Nor is it all fun and games and frivolity and humor. Again, there are places that are satirical in nature and provide parodies for your enjoyment. That niche is also filled.

Oh, sure, we'll have news and fun. But that's not the main thing Altered States Magazine has to offer.

So what do you have to offer?

Simple. In one word, I can sum up Altered States Magazine's focus:

OPINIONS

This very well be my fanzine, but I want it to be a forum for your ideas, your essays, your opinions.

Will we have regular columnists? Sure. But that doesn't mean you can't have a say as well. Guest columns, one-shots, two-shots, new regular columns, fanfic, comics -- if you want it in here, all you have to do is submit it for consideration.

Oh, great. So if you don't agree with what I write, it'll never see the light of day.

Wrong. Will I edit the pieces? If I have to, yes. But only for clairity, grammar, spelling, etc. Unless the piece is horribly offensive, I'll do my best not to edit for content. I may not agree with what you say, but I'll put it up for others to read and comment on.

So, let me state this right up front -- unless otherwise specified, the opinions of each column, story, fanfic, comic, etc., are not necessarily those of myself or Altered States Magazine. They are the opinions of whomever wrote the column, story, fanfic, comic, etc.

Not everyone will agree with everything I or any writer puts in this magazine. But that's okay. As long as rational discussion is the result, it's a great thing.

You seem to like this "debate" thing.

You bet. Future issues of Altered States Magazine may deal with themes like heroism, morality, and religion. A lot will depend on how you interact with us.

Me?

I want you, the reader, to be able to interact with Altered States Magazine

This could include E-mail, discussion boards, chat rooms, and more. I'm trying to line up moderated chats on the DALnet IRC network about topics that have frequently been under debate.

There's that word again.

It's okay. You'll come to like it.

Will you talk only about Transformers?

While the main focus of Altered States Magazine will be Transformers, don't be surprised if you see some information about other toys that transform. You might see reviews of knock-offs, of Voltron, of DinoZaurs/DinoZone, or even Animorphs.

This is not going to be a case of one toy line is better than another in all respects. There might be a really cool DinoZaurs toy that puts most Beast Wars to shame. No, Altered States Magazine is just going to offer you opinions about Transformers and other transformable toy.

But... but... Animorphs?

Yes, Animorphs. They transform from one mode to another, therefore, they're fair game. Animorphs won't be in the spotlight, but they'll be around.

So how often are you going to publish the magazine?

Currently, Altered States Magazine is on a bimonthly basis, but depending on how many submissions are received, that could be bumped up to every month and a half, roughly every 6 or 7 weeks. Blame a funky 52 week calendar that doesn't divide by 8 evenly.

Anything else you want to say?

I want to thank you for taking the time to read this. I know you've got a lot of web sites out there to browse through, so your visit is appreciated.

Consider Altered States Magazine to be an experiment, where the final result is still unknown.

It's going to be a hell of a ride. Let's take it together.

-Phil Zeman, August 1999

Philip N. Zeman can be E-mailed at asm_zeman@skyjammer.com.

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