Bent Alaska editor Mel Green will be taking a “semi-hiatus” during November 2012 to focus on her writing. This doesn’t mean complete silence — but she will be scaling back.

A word (& then a few more words) from our editor…

First, Happy Halloween!

Second, I am taking an (announced, this time) semi-hiatus from Bent Alaska for all of November to focus on my writing. You’ve probably noticed that I’ve already been in an (unannounced) semi-hiatus, partly due to being sick for most of October, but also due to a strong need — after a lengthy period of public involvement (Anchorage LGBT Discrimination Survey, Anchorage Baptist Temple tax issue, One Anchorage campaign, Anchorage election recount…) — to return to my own writing, which I’ve had very little time to do over the past two years. And I really really need it.

By “semi-hiatus” I mean that I won’t be completely absent: I’ll still be doing Sara’s News posts & occasional news items on Bent’s Facebook wall. I’ll also try to return to reliability in reposting event stuff on the Facebook wall that people pass on to me. But I’ll be scaled back otherwise as, really, I’ve already been, & will not be attempting to keep up with our Google events calendar this coming month, or keeping up with events on the blog.

In the next few days, I’m gonna put a few questions out on Bent’s Facebook wall for Bent readers/FB friends about what you most need from a venue like Bent Alaska, & how to make it sustainable for the long term — an issue I will be returning to in December.

In the meantime, thank all of you for your patience, understanding, & support.

Melissa S. (Mel) Green
Bent Alaska editor

P.S. If you’re curious what I’m writing over November, please visit my (heretofore long-neglected) personal blog Henkimaa or my Facebook wall.

Photo: Facebook profile for Halloween 2012 by Melissa S. Green. Inset: Mel in a National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) hoodie. Cover: The bloodshot eye is courtesy a burst blood vessel from heavy coughing when I was ill in early October.