Well well No Innocent Bystanders is years old. Our contributors list continues to grow, and has stretched far beyond the old friends who started it (not that I'd be without them), and the UK in general. Looking back over this year's issues, the diaries from Iraq and Hong Kong really stand out, as do political pieces on UN reform, Zimbabwe and new sources of energy.
Fiction continues to go from strength to strength, and one of the best parts of editing No Innocent Bystanders is how someone I vaguely know will sidle up one evening and say `Er, I've got a story... might you run it? Could I send it to you?' That, and encouraging friends and experts to put pen to paper to share their knowledge, views and opinions is very exciting. The monthly diversity - from the streets of Baghdad to high fashion shoots and back again is what keeps me toiling late into the night each month, to put each issue together long after my less exciting paid work is finished.
In the past year we have attracted praise from some industry bigwigs, such as this, from Scott Manson, former editor of Ministry and Loaded who said No Innocent Bystanders is `Really good.... Really interesting ....and well written. One of the best things I've read in a long time.' And Nick de Cosemo, singer with Freeform Five and editor of FHM collections as `Great. The world needs more passionistas and less fashionistas.'
So onwards and upwards to a third year. As those of you on our mailing list will see, we have finally got a proper emailing system, which will, sadly, holt the random email chats I get to have with our readers. Sometime soon we might just get the forums going, so everyone can put in their tuppance worth, which is after all, what we No Innocent Bystanders is all about.
Seeing as last year's party was so much fun, we are throwing a second birthday party for readers, contributors, supporters and friends. We'd love to see you there, just rsvp to editorial@noinnocentbystanders.com if you'd like to come:
Where? Clerkenwell House, Hatton Wall, London, EC1
When? Saturday 1st July from 8.30pm
Music? DJs Chloe Lola, Nicky Fizzle Fatback (Toast), Al D, Reetu and Tori AKA Lively Up Yourself (The Key)
Cost? Free!
Birthday Cake? You never know!
Thank you for your support so far, and keep reading....
