I'd like to take a moment from our usual, serious news column for a very special announcement:

I have running water! I have running water! I have running water!

For the unaware, my darling husband and I have built our house from scratch, bit at a time, mostly by ourselves. We moved in on Christmas Eve 2001 and have lived without running water since that time. On February 19, 2007, after many toxic glue fumes that Janet would surely scold me for, and lots of wiring and work, we were able to lift the handle at the kitchen sink. And lo - water comes forth. It's like magic! We're working on a toilet, next - there are only six more connections necessary to make that happen, and that will be the first indoor toilet we've had in about eight years. Next thing you know, I'll have a cellphone and really join the 21st century...

Ahem. I had to share my glee on that front. That's most of what I've been doing this month in my spare time, and other updates are pretty sparse this month.

I am working feverishly on the EMG-Zine anthology. I have it mostly laid out, estimated, and I am waiting on a few permissions and high-resolution files. With luck, I'll have more concrete news and maybe pre-orders available by this time next month.

Two new coloring books were uploaded to the printer, but there were delays and I haven't gotten proofs yet, so hopefully I'll have more news next month.

I am able to welcome a whole host of talented new artists to EMG this month! At the giftshop, you'll now find work from Rachel Marks, Carmen Keys, Katerina Koukiotis, Phyllis Hornung Peacock, Katrina Joyner, Ash Evans, Coriander Shea Detwiler, Linda Peltola, and Mandy Roberts.

Plus, there is new work from Christina Davis, Kelly Smith, April VanSickle, William Li, Starla Friend, R. Bail, Jayde Hilliard, Amy Edwards, Eden Celeste, Alexandra Knickel, Laura Law, Candace Bell, Laura Melis, Christy Nicholas, Esther Brendel (was Esther Wetzel, congratulations, Esther!), Matthew Cuenca, Ellen Million, Elena Vanin, Krystal Tyler and Pierre Carles.

Please be aware that EMG will be closed 26th March - 8th of April. I will be travelling!

And for locals to the Fairbanks, Alaska area, EMG will be vending at ArctiCon April 7-8! I'll post a link here when their webpage is up!

Check out the calendar for more news and announcements, and feel free to submit your own events, news or contests! A big thanks to Mandy Roberts for updating this for us! Enjoy!