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"Thou art unseen, but yet I hear thy shrill delight." ~ Percy Bysshe Shelley ~ What does one traditionally gift for a 200th Anniversary? A commemorative plaque? A platinum-plated Swatch? A pair of shoes in exchange for the one’s you’ve been walking in all the livelong day? Another tortoise? Twinkies? Okay, technically, we’re talking 16-plus years (give or take…does that include Leap Years?) of consecutive publication of a monthly periodical, but work with me here. Still, could the 200th issue be deemed GTM’s bicentennial? But, I digress... I’m a wordsmith by (game) trade. A ghostwriter. A literary prestidigitator, of sorts. In the guise of the ‘Great and Powerful Oz’, I’m merely pulling the strings behind a vast curtain of words, insights, tropes, and meanderings. All smoke and mirrors. Yet, like every writer whose thoughts bleed ‘pon parchment, I’m hopeful that those silent words speak glorious volumes. Which begs the question: if a word is written, will someone read it? My answer would be a resounding ‘Yes!’, particularly if said words find themselves within the pages of GTM (kudos and smoochy kisses to ‘you’, our ardent and loyal readers).
Though my grasp of data entry and graphic arts (at the time) was pedestrian, my experience, knowledge, and passion for games, roleplaying, and the hobby industry proved invaluable. I’m not a mere closet enthusiast. I’m a dyed-in-the-wool, badge-wearing, chest-thumping ‘geek’ who lives, breathes, eats, sleeps, bleeds, and poops fantasy, horror, sci-fi, and super-heroes. Comics, cinema, and gaming feed my passions, and a feast voraciously! Thus, under the watchful (albeit wary) eye of industry veteran, trailblazer, and GTM editor Phyllis Opolko, who both allowed and encouraged me to explore my creative horizons, unfettered, my grammatical craft matured and flourished in tandem with the evolution of GTM. GTM is our lovechild. And, without the constant support, nourishment, and commitment of our editorial staff, the publishers and manufacturers of the games we love to play, and, most importantly, our readers, we wouldn’t be here, today, celebrating this monumental achievement. So, rest assured, from the ‘Foreword’ and ‘Table of Contents’, through the product section, articles, and reviews, I’m there with you, page after page, every step of the way (uhm, does that sound a bit creepy?) Game On!
P.S.: And, for those plagued by gnawing curiosity as to why I’m often pictured being physically accosted by celebrities and peers, simply spend a modicum of time in my company and you might be so inclined to do so, as well. (I hope it’s not my cologne, or lack thereof)
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I’ve been the designated copywriter/proofreader/scribe/embellisher/flavor texter/product solicitor/provocateur for GTM (formerly Game Trade Magazine, formerly Alliance’s ‘Your Turn’ newsletter) since its inception on the eve of the 3rd Millennium (Coincidence? I think not!). This ‘role’ was ultimately entrusted to me when I was welcomed into Alliance Game Distributor’s marketing fold and brought under the tutelage of then graphic guru, Andy Rayman (the progenitor of Game Trade Magazine). Prior to GTM’s current bouncing, boisterous lead graphic designer Matt Barham’s (you’ll find his rant & ravings somewhere in the deep, dark recesses of this issue) induction, I was hired as Andy’s ‘assistant’, learning, firsthand, the marketing and publishing ropes of the game trade.
