A My Mongoose Poll.

[pattrose]

An update on the poll. Lisa has decided to have an Ezine once a year since everyone seems to be interested in reading them. We were afraid no one was reading them. But still continue with the poll. It helps us understand who is reading and so forth. Thank you all for your support. It's been a wonderful 11 years.



[Poll #1674563]

Comments

[grey853.livejournal.com]

I didn't answer all the questions on the poll. I do read the ezine and enjoy many of the stories. I'm behind right now, but I just got an eReader, so might catch up soon.

I read different fandoms, but when I want to read the new stuff, your Mongoose is one of the first places I check.

[lit-gal.livejournal.com]

I wish I had something for you, but I am maxed out on time.

[pattrose.livejournal.com]

You're in school, writing a novel and teaching. I don't know where you find the time to do what you do. LOL I wish you well.

[mostcrazylady.livejournal.com]

I would be very sad to see My Mongoose come to an end. I look forward to each new issue and the stories.

[pattrose.livejournal.com]

It's so nice to hear this. I will tell Lisa. :)

[pattrose.livejournal.com]

I'm so glad to hear this, Grey. We worried that maybe we had stayed around too long. Thank you.

[caarianna.livejournal.com]

I didn't answer the poll, either. I'd be sorry to see the zine go, but you guys have done a terrific job and, after 11 years, you may well want to move on to something new. Also, I daresay it's getting harder to get stories. I know I've not been much of a contributer. The last few years, I've scarcely been able to write at all.

Thanks for all the great work you've done and your incredible contribution to the fandom.

[pattrose.livejournal.com]

Thank you, Marilyn. I'm finding out that people are still reading it and that's good. :)

[mab-browne.livejournal.com]

It would be a shame to see MME finish, although I know that you are probably having difficulty finding contributors. I think that the fandom itself is definitely slowing down, and I sometimes gnaw my lip a little at how quiet Sentinel Thursday is. However, I'm finding myself writing less for various RL reasons, and what bunnies I do get aren't always in TS.

However, I think that people do enjoy MME, and there is still a core group of active fans, and quite a few lurkers if the names I never know at Storyfinders are anything to go by. I think that really it's a question as to whether you and Lisa have the will and the energy to keep boxing on.

This probably isn't helpful, is it?

[pattrose.livejournal.com]

It does my heart good to know that people are still reading it. We weren't sure. We haven't made up our mind about it. It all depends on how big this issue will be in June. We'll just have to see what happens. Thank you for your input. :)

[bluewolf458.livejournal.com]

If you're sort of burned out putting out MME maybe you could do it just once a year instead of several times?

I didn't answer the second question because anything I've had in an issue, you've asked for one you already knew about. It's not really a question of time, but inspiration! I'm trying to come up with an idea for a submission.

Currently I'm working on three stories but I don't think any of them would be suitable.

[pattrose.livejournal.com]

Lisa and I realized the other night that we only put out one last year. We were somewhat surprised. It was hard getting enough submissions for that one. So maybe once a year might be the ticket. Thanks, Sheila. Hugs, Patt

[alynt.livejournal.com]

Yes, you are like a pit bull, Patt, but a very nice one and I know that MME is close to your heart. I haven't written anything for you in a while, like many others, RL eats up so much more of my time these days but I will have something for you for June. I do hope MME stays but totally understand if Lisa decides that 11 years is enough. It's getting harder to get stories for a lot of fandoms.

[pattrose.livejournal.com]

Isn't that the truth? Sheila mentioned we should continue to only have one ezine a year. That way it gives people a lot of time and no one is pressured. I would miss the ezine if we stopped doing it. It's been a long time and I hope that we can work something out. Lisa wondered if anyone still read it, but I think they are still being read. This will make her feel better. :)

[alynt.livejournal.com]

If you went to once a year, I definitely be able to contribute most of the time so that's a good option.

[snycock.livejournal.com]

I didn't fill out the poll - I try to read MME when I can, but I'm sure I'm probably several issues behind. I'd be sad to see it go, because it just seems like one more nail in the coffin of TS fandom, but I would totally understand it if you and Lisa didn't have the energy or desire to keep it going. I know it's got to be incredibly hard asking around for submissions all the time, not to mention just putting the whole thing together and getting it up there. For what it's worth, I don't ever feel pestered by your announcements. I usually feel guilty because wish I had something to offer, but I'm so dissatisfied with the things I've done lately that I can't offer those, and I just don't have the time to write something new.

Thank you, and thanks to Lisa, for all your hard work on it, though, whatever you guys decide to do.

[pattrose.livejournal.com]

Thank you, Jen. What a wonderful post. Warmed my heart. It's still in the thinking process, so we may decide to just do one a year. That would be sort of nice.

[annieb1955.livejournal.com]

I'm going to try to write something new for you for June. RL has been eating into my fandom life of late but I'm still enjoyng writing TS. However, I'll totally understand if you guys feel it's time to let MME go.

[pattrose.livejournal.com]

Oh lisa doesn't want to let it go, but she was afraid that no one would even notice if we left. Sometimes when you've been around a long while, they don't notice you so much. But I got a lot of great posts from this and it'll make Lisa feel good. I hope real life starts slowing down for you, Annie. This is supposed to be a better year, dang it. :(

[annieb1955.livejournal.com]

I do read the zine when it comes out but don't always get time to send the feedback I would like to : ( Yeah, 2011 has been a bit of a bummer so far but not yet as bad as 2010 was for me.

[alynt.livejournal.com]

Patt
You need to make the post public as at the moment only people you have friended can vote.

[pattrose.livejournal.com]

I did. Annie told me to do it and I follow orders like a good girl. LOL All taken care of.

[alynt.livejournal.com]

Atta girl!

[motschekiebchen.livejournal.com]

I don't read the Zines the moment they come out but I enjoy the fics as soon as I have the time... and usually re-read my favourites of the old ones. :)

I would miss you as one regular source to find new TS fics but I would understand.

[pattrose.livejournal.com]

We're now thinking that once a year would be an answer for the entire problem. I think writers would be able to do a once a year commitment. :)

[nat-1228.livejournal.com]

I, for one, would hate to see MME disappear. I can understand the amount of work that goes into it, and the process of burning out over the years. It seems, at times, as though the fandom is dying and far too quickly, since I'm still interested.

I haven't had a lot of time for writing these past few years, and even less inspiration. I have a long story going now, that I want to hold for this year's Big Bang, but if that doesn't happen, MME can have it. I also have another (shorter) story started that I was planning/hoping to have for this next ezine.

Whatever you and Lisa decide to do, I'll stand by you. But I do hope that the ezines continue. I think just once or twice a year would be fine, too. I know it's getting harder to get contributors, and I've been among those who have let you down recently. I'll try to do better. :-)

Send Lisa my love, and keep some for yourself. Thanks for all the years of great ezines and for all the hard work and love you both put into them.

[pattrose.livejournal.com]

Everyone seems to think a once a year ezine would be the answer. I agree with them. We would love to have any story from you, Nat. WE love your work, so send it when you're ready. And I think you should go for the Big Bang. :) Woo HOo.

[sc-fossil.livejournal.com]

I wanted you to know I enjoyed all of my years doing the ezine with you and Lisa, Patt. You were always very gracious and helpful. I'm sure you'll make the right decision for both of you. Thanks!

[pattrose.livejournal.com]

I feel uplifted after all of this. Lisa and I will discuss the one ezine a year idea tonight. She'll be glad to not have to let go of her baby. She loves the ezines. So I"m a little happier right now. Thank you to everyone. :)

[shiredancer.livejournal.com]

I would miss the ezine very much -- it has been the source of so many of my favorite stories. I'm "reader only" -- trust me, NOBODY would want me trying to write! -- and I'm so grateful for all of your efforts over the years, and those of the wonderful writers. I'm busier than ever too these days, and don't tell the writers often enough how great they are. This is the Best Fandom Ever (and my only fandom -- I'm that loyal to it). Big hugs to you and Lisa, and many, many thanks!

Sally

[pattrose.livejournal.com]

It was suggested by a friend that we do a once a year only ezine, so I think this will be the way we go. It's nice to know that people are still reading the ezine. :) That was one of our biggest fears, is that people had lost interest. I understand about being loyal to Jim and Blair, because I'll stay with them until I probably die. (I am old.) LOL

[pattrose.livejournal.com]

Sally, I forgot to say thank you. :)
HUgs, Patt

[pjchang.livejournal.com]

What Sally said!!

[pattrose.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much. Looks like we're considering doing a once a year ezine. It would cut down on bugging people for stories.

[ponders-life.livejournal.com]

I've been reading Sentinel fic for about five years now -- long enough to have read (and re-read!) all the Good Stuff. At a time when the new good stuff isn't being produced at the rate that it used to be, My Mongoose zines have been a welcome source of new reading material. If it goes, I will definitely miss it.

I understand if you're facing burnout (you don't get the recognition and credit you deserve), but perhaps you can cut back instead of ceasing publication entirely. You will be missed!

[pattrose.livejournal.com]

Thank you. I think we're safe and going to try a once a year ezine. :) It's been a great road for us, and we have hated to leave it.

[karieflybabe.livejournal.com]

I could not answer the second question because there was no answer to fit.

[pattrose.livejournal.com]

Dang it, I was hoping that I had a good collection of answers there. Sorry about that. It's been quite a day with the posts. Hugs, Patt

[fluterbev.livejournal.com]

Some explanation of my answers: I'm not that wild about MME, simply because I find the stories in general not to my taste, plus I really don't like explicit manips. That said, my opinion comes with a qualifier - I have read some excellent gems there too over the years, stories I wouldn't have discovered otherwise, and I am very glad the ezine happens because obviously a lot of people get pleasure out of it :-).

You've asked me to write for it once, which I couldn't do at the time as I was overcommitted, but it was very nice you asked, so thank you for that! That said, the reason I ticked 'it's not my cuppa tea' to the question about writing for MME is because I don't want my stories archived anywhere other than where they currently are, so it just isn't something I want to do in the future. You've got plenty of people here saying they'll write for you, though, so I'm sure you won't miss me!

I do appreciate the work and dedication that goes into MME, though. I don't know Lisa (heard the name, obviously, but that's it! I can't remember if we've ever corresponded) but I know you, Patt, and I think you're a really nice lady, and clearly committed to what you do. Lots of people get pleasure out of it, so keep rocking on at a pace that feels right for you. :-)

[pattrose.livejournal.com]

Thanks, Bev. We used to use those horrible manips. We went through a stage, where naked was good, I guess. Now I'm in charge of the art and I don't do manips, so we don't have them anymore. Some people might miss them, but I thought they took away from the story. JMO of course. Lisa and I talked tonight and decided that once a year would be a good way to go. Needless to say, this year we'll have two, because we just put one out and then there is the one coming in June. Thanks for your comments and your support. Means the world to both of us. Hugs, Patt

[debbiet.livejournal.com]

I always enjoy reading the stories. I write when I have the time and the muse cooperates with me. Sorry I'm late to the dance here, but I've been suffering with a cold over the past three days.

Glad to see you are willing to keep going with My Mongoose, Patt!

[pattrose.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry to hear you're under the weather. I hate being sick, so I figure you must too. Thank you for your kind words. We found out that more people read it then we thought, so that made us feel really good. A once a year ezine will be really nice in the long run. :) Hugs, Patt

[garettgal.livejournal.com]

I only answered a couple of the questions in your poll quite simply because I am not a writer. :) I do not know Lisa per se but I am familiar with her name and I certainly have no problem with you inviting people to write for MME as I am more than happy to read the stories that result. :)

I think both you and Lisa do a great job with MME and I would hate to see another piece of the TS fandom disappear (there's been too much of that lately with stories disappearing from 852 and websites closing :( ) although you both have to make a decision that suits your needs and feels right for you.

While I freely admit that not all the stories are to my taste you certainly provide enough choice for the readers, and I can honestly say that I have never yet failed to find something to enjoy in each E-zine. It has certainly been instrumental in leading me to read work by authors featured in MME that I might otherwise have missed.

I'm very glad that you decided to ask for people's opinions Patt as it must be only too tempting, at times, to think about just shutting up shop and calling it a day. As a reader I have to confess that I am guilty of not sending anything like enough feedback to the authors and artists as a thank you for all their hard work, so please know that I very much appreciate the efforts of Lisa and yourself working with authors and artists to produce the MME zines and I would be sorry to see them go.

[pattrose.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much for your wonderful post. It warmed my heart, let me tell ya. Lisa has decided that a once a year Ezine would be very nice and that way she wouldn't have to close down that part of her life. I'm thrilled with the decision and am glad that a lot of people came out to say something on this poll. It's good to know that there are some people reading it. It makes it worth the effort. THank you again for all of your kind input. Hugs, Patt

[asnightbird.livejournal.com]

Hi! I'm new to this fandom as of last year due to my friend nat1228. She dragged me kicking and screaming into this fandom from the House fandom. :-) I did *NOT* want another fandom, but I love this fandom and fell for it hook, line and sinker. I found your zine in addition to 852 Prospect and the other archives, so I have so much to read! I've found good stories in your zine. I'd hate to see it go. I know I'm late to the party, but I find it a joy to have your zine and all the other great stories to read. I hope you'll be able to continue.

[pattrose.livejournal.com]

Welcome to the fandom. I"ve been here 11 years and still love these boys. :) WE're going to stick around for awhile. WE've decided on once a year Ezine instead of three a year. That wore us and everyone else out. We're nowhere without the writers and betas. Thank you so much for you kind comments. I'm glad you like us and have had a good time reading. WE just put out a new one about a week ago, make sure and check it out. There are some good stories there. :) Hugs, Patt