Recently we received our first angry email criticizing our missed print deadlines and sporadically updated website, and demanding a refund, which we accommodated. Which is not what I expected our first hate letter to be — I was really hoping it would be something I wrote or at least a comic we published. What's the best part of editing a magazine if not the frothing hate mail? This was the less fun kind of hate mail: rational.

I was planning to announce, and wish I announced sooner, that, as a thank you for the patience our subscribers have demonstrated, we will double the subscriptions of everyone who's subscribed so far — so 1 year subscriptions will last 2 years, and those who purchased the premiere issue will receive the 2nd issue free. I recognize that double some nebulous future product might not appeal to everyone, so we'll also refund subscriptions for anyone who wishes one — simply email subscriptions@squidandink.com and try to include the words "refund", your favourite compound swear word, and "coconuts" in the subject line.

Everyone at Squid & Ink is as committed to the project today as we were when we started. We regret that we missed our print deadline, and I understand the frustration felt by those who pre-ordered a subscription, but we would rather miss a deadline and potentially lose some readers in the process than to put out a mediocre magazine. Though we have enough content to fill several issues, we need to acquire more funding to be able to afford to print a magazine that's of a high enough quality to display the works of art that contributors have sent us.

This update is an attempt to address the criticism of sporadic updates and make the behind the scenes development of Squid & Ink more transparent so people don't wonder if anything is happening with Squid & Ink or if it's just another grandiose internet project that's been abandoned. I'll write at least one update per week, as a wrap-up of the week's activities. Look for those on Sundays.

We will also revamp the website to add more back and forth functionality between readers, artists, and the Squid & Ink staff. That'll be up as soon as I cajole someone into programming it. But if there are any web programmers foolish — I mean awesome — enough to program in exchange for free swag, please email us.