Jerry Jimston is the editor and publisher of The Jimston Journal but would quickly be out of a job were it not for the support of his creator, Andy O'Hara.  A retired police officer, Andrew O'Hara has written numerous articles and short stories published on and off-line.  As a journalist and news photographer, he was an editor for two Northern California newspapers, the City Times of Citrus Heights and the Gold River News.  He has made freelance contributions to The Sacramento Spectrum and Sacramento Bee newspapers.  He has one published book and is working on his first novel.  He spends the rest of his time trying to control the impertinent Jerry Jimston.

 

 

 

It’s not easy for me to announce this as the last issue of the Jimston Journal, but announce it I must.  

 

There are several reasons.  For one, the nature of online magazines has changed drastically even since I began in early 2006.  From being quite innovative, The Journal is now an anachronism.  E-zines have glitzy new formats, pixie dust floating around and bouncing balls to tell you where to go, as well as advertising and subscription options.  I’m told they’re now far easier to update.  I need to ask myself, however, if I want to go through the lengthy learning curve (for me, it’s always lengthy) to “get modern.” 

 

Finally, running an online magazine and doing it right is tremendously labor intensive.  I have never counted the hours.  Many hundreds.

I do plan to keep the Journal on line.  For those of you with work in the current issue, your link will remain.  For those of you in past issues, remember to go to the “Past Issues” page, find your work, and use that link.  Those, too, will remain.

 

It has been my distinct pleasure to see Journal contributors showing up in far more prestigious publications, including print.  I can’t help but feel good that perhaps the JJ was a motivator, a stepping stone for their advancement.

 

If I were to leave with any advice for writers, and being a most humble writer myself, it would be to remember this.  Books are being printed by the millions.  The UK and US alone account for about a half million annually.  Even subtracting self-published authors, think of the vast number of writers clamoring for attention.  Millions, I suppose.

 

Am I trying to discourage you?  No, I’m trying to give you freedom.  We’re not immortal, nor is our work—a delusion we form as writers wanting to leave a “legacy.”  I’m reminded of the sculptor raising art from sand at the beach, rejoicing as it returns to the sea.  I think of Navajo and Tibetan sand art, of the mandala, a testimonial to beauty, health and impermenance.  We yearn to outlive the stars, but it isn't to be.

 

Relax with your blessing.  Enjoy it--on a napkin, a blog, a short story, a novel if you wish.  Tell grand stories to your children and grandchildren.  Don't be envious of another's success--unknown to you, it may be the fulfillment of a shallow misery.  And don't cry for the moon.  The night sky is only beautiful because it has billions of stars.

 

Someone once said (perhaps it was even me), “Everyone will be famous to a few people in their lifetime—some a few more than others.”

 

I wish you all well and thank, especially, those who have contributed to making the JJ a magazine to be proud of.  Be well, and I’ll meet you down under the big oak tree one of these warm afternoons.

 

Bring a good book with you.

 

And who knows what tomorrow may bring?

 

--Jerry