Angels and Insects
As everyone who gets this far knows, the SouthernCross Review is free, and it will remain free. When I got the idea to publish it on the web, it never occurred to me that I would one day -- and so soon! -- begin thinking about asking for money. But now that the reality of the thing has hit home, I will try as delicately as possible to broach an indelicate subject.
It is obvious that there is a problem with translations. Those who have done translation work without any return except having their names appear have my eternal thanks -- but it's not enough. I would like to be able to offer reasonable remuneration to capable translators, not only to win their services, but also to be fair.
The same is even more true as far as authors are concerned. The great majority of small print and electronic magazines do not pay authors for their work. This is not exploitation, but a reflection of economic reality. There is a great difference, however, in merely seeing your name in print and receiving a check -- however small -- as recognition that your work has value. SCR would like to offer this kind of recognition. I would also like to recuperate some of the costs of operation (web space, server, registration, etc.), not to mention the great demands on my time.
This is not a change of policy as far as subscriptions are concerned, nor does it imply that reading SCR will cost something. It is an appeal for voluntary donations, which is how cultural initiatives would be financed if the world were as it should be.
Various categories of donations have been established:
Angels: those who contribute $10 annually;
Archangels: those who contribute $20 annually;
Archai: those who contribute $30 annually.
Any amount exceeding that would enter into the realm of Mammon and temptation. Therefore, such most welcome contributors must be called
Lucifers
This explains the "Angels" in the "Angels and Insects" heading. In A.S. Byatt's lovely book of the same name the insects are butterflies, transformed insects flying up and on to a more spiritual existence. The analogy, then, refer's to all SCR's friends -- readers, donors, non-donors, authors, translators.
How to effect your donation:
Send a check to:
F.T. Smith
SouthernCross Review
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or
a check or transfer to:
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F.T. Smith
Europe:
UBS
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Switzerland
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F.T. Smith
Also please send me an e-mail so I can identify the donation as yours and confirm receipt. Thanks for your consideration of this proposal.
Frank Thomas Smith, editor