It’s been a long journey to this momentous occasion of our launch.  I realize, though, that if you are reading this magazine, you likely do not care in the slightest what it took to get here.  That’s fine by me.

What we’ve tried to do most while preparing for this launch is to avoid taking ourselves too seriously.  I’m not sure why, exactly, considering that one tiny overlooked detail could unravel over a year’s worth of hard work.  In fact, as I write this letter, I am aware that I may have chosen some crazy font for it that isn’t even appropriate for printing on a commercial press.  (In that case, you might not even be reading this now).

Nevertheless, we feel that taking ourselves too seriously would obscure the very goal we set out to accomplish.  Since Day One, we’ve professed that we are here to give exposure to unknowns; to give a chance to people who might not otherwise get one.  It is only possible to keep an eye out for such people when we remain relaxed, friendly, and humble.  After all, would you want to submit your work to someone who is sure he’s smarter than you?  I’m probably not, anyway.

Since our inception, we have prided ourselves on being unique, the only publication in our market that aims to satisfy young minds the way older adults are so often targeted as a readership.  We have been striving to prove that people our age do want and need such a publication, and that we are smarter than the current market makes us out to be.  Would you want to prove us wrong? 

Keep in mind as you thumb through the following pages that you have an opportunity to get involved.  If something catches your eye, respond to us.  If you wholeheartedly disagree with statements made by one of our featured writers, respond to us.  If you feel we could have presented any or all of this magazine differently, respond to us.  We can take it...I think. 

Most importantly, we hope our collective effort here at Citizen Culture shines through the pieces you are about to read and the art you are about to view.  I personally welcome all of our readers, and hope that we have not let you down.  If we have, though, I encourage you to help us be closer to what you want us to be.  In the meantime, enjoy what lies herein!

All the best,

Evan Sanders
Founding Publisher,
on behalf of Citizen Culture Magazine