I wanted to do something cool for Fray's first subscribers. Since this issue's theme is "Busted" and contains a story from Joe Loya about his last bank robbery, I decided to make custom money bags. So I got a bunch of cotton bags that look like the canvas bags you see in cartoons and printed Kevin Cornell's amazing hand illustration on them using a Gocco. Each bag has a unique handmade feel.
This is the bag your book will arrive in, but only if you're a subscriber!
We're having fun telling Busted stories right now, but it's never too soon to start thinking about future themes. What should we use as a storytelling theme for the next issue? Have your say in the Fray Flickr Group.
We've been burning the candle at both ends for weeks and are thrilled to report that we've now sent the book files to the printer! We should have copies in our hot little hands in the next few weeks. Woot!
From illustrator Ray Frenden comes this inside look at his process for creating his stunning artwork for Joe Loya's issue 1 story, Ugly in Norwalk.
One of the best parts of making Fray is seeing how the stories inspire visual artists. In this issue, we've got an incredible story of a wine tasting gone terribly wrong: Hobo Balls by Eric Spitznagel. To illustrate it, Fray Illustration Editor Chris Bishop tapped painter John Reddinger.
John documented his process on Illustration Mundo. And if you think the painiting looks incredible in photographs, just wait till you see it in print.
It's no coincidence Fray is relaunching right around Thanksgiving. We have a lot to be thankful for. Fray would not be here without all the people who've participated over the years: the contributors to the website, the performers at the events, the readers and posters.
And, quite literally, we would not be here without the writers and artists who contributed to our first book, Busted! True Stories of Getting Caught in the Act. The book is going to be out in January, and it's amazing. I can't wait for you to see it.
We used to run story in Fray every Thanksgiving that asked you to post what you were thankful for. This year, I'm thankful for a lot. I'm happy, healthy, and having a great time.
But I'm especially thankful for Fray. For all the time I've put into this labor of love since we started in 1996, Fray has given me so much more: friends, jobs, lessons in life that have shaped who I am today. Fray has been my very own giving tree, and I find myself once again under its branches.
Too weird to be thankful for a website? Maybe. But Fray's never been just a website. It's a conduit between us - you and I - and a lot of people like us. People who still believe in the power of personal stories.
So welcome back to Fray. Take a look around - it's all new. And we're not done, either. We'll have more ways for you to tell your stories in the not too distant future
You can now also subscribe to Fray, and we hope you will.
