I've spent the past week getting issue 1 together for printing and distribution. I'm done editing and proofreading the essays, and I owe infinite gratitude to Kaitlyn Tierney for her assistance in detailed copyediting. Typesetting of the print and PDF editions is almost done, and we're on the home stretch for getting content together. My illustrator friend and Bieber fan for life, Jana Kinsman, will be drawing pictures of the three authors and me, and it's going to rule. This week, I'll be working on cleaning up an ePub edition, and then converting that to the Kindle's format.

I've also been posting a few screenshots of interesting snippets to my Dribbble, so if you're into type nerdery, go and take a look.

I can't believe how quickly things are coming together now. Three months ago, we didn't have any essay drafts in. Now a real issue is taking shape. I've narrowed the printer down to two final candidates, and am talking it over with colleagues. I can't believe how far we've come, and I'm so grateful to issue 1's writers – and to you, the people who have made it happen. We're in the home stretch now – please help out and spread the word!

Which brings us to Issue 2. The authors are set, and they're working on writing as you read this. They are:

• Francisco Inchauste;
• Sharlene King;
• and Cassie McDaniel.

I'm tremendously excited to have such talented people on board for issue 2. If you ordered a single issue, and you're at least, like, 5% as excited as I am, you can head to Distance's project page, click "Manage Your Pledge," and upgrade to a subscription.

Also, sponsorships for issue 2 are almost sold out: there's only one left. And after speaking with a bunch of folks about it, I've decided that I have woefully undercharged for sponsorships. So, for the next two weeks, my mistake is your gain. After the Kickstarter ends, Distance sponsorships will double in price, to $1,000 apiece, for all time. So if you've been waiting to pull the trigger, get on it! You can sponsor issue 2, 3, or 4.

And finally, I quit my job last week, mostly in order to focus on Distance-related work. My days have been faster and slower in turns; they've changed in tenor, and relaxed considerably on balance. I wake up, grab breakfast at my favorite diner, and hack with my friends who freelance or run startups. I spent eight months working on Distance only on nights and weekends, and having so much time – with actual daylight outside – has been invigorating and liberating.

But also terrifying, you know? Distance doesn't take up all my time, and now I have quite a few free hours in the week. I can do anything right now, and I'm curious about lots of things and quick to learn. I'm an interaction designer by trade, but make books for fun. It feels like anxiety of choice, sometimes, like being faced with fifty different kinds of pasta sauce at the grocery store. I've spent a lot of my time talking with other folks on Skype and sharing coffee with kindred spirits around Chicago. My old job was demanding enough that I didn't spend enough time connecting with my community; now, I'm working to fix that. And, bizarrely, I'm writing more, which is one thing that I shirked during my editorial responsibilities.

And all along the while, I'm looking for interesting projects – so get in touch if you'd like a collaborator.