Dear Apex Magazine Contributors and Readers,

This is a hard message to write. While the past two years of editing Apex Magazine have been deeply satisfying both personally and professionally, I will be stepping down as the Editor-in-Chief of Apex Magazine after the December 2013 issue. I’m in need of break, after which I’m looking forward to exploring new opportunities and projects. Managing Editor Michael Damian Thomas will be stepping down with me.

Publisher Jason Sizemore plans on continuing the magazine. Michael and I are working closely with the incoming editor to ensure a smooth transition. We appreciate your patience during this time. Let me again apologize for the rather delayed responses with some submissions.

I would like to personally thank everyone who contributed to the magazine during my tenure: our submissions editors, the folks who did our eBook conversions, our podcast producer, and everyone else who lent a hand to make us look great. This includes Gill Ainsworth, Janet Harriett, Maggie Slater, Justin Stewart, Sarah E. Olson, Erika Ensign, Olga Zelanova, Andy Arnold, Travis Knight, Zakaraya Anwar, George Galuschak, Sigrid Ellis, Deanna Knippling, Kelly Lagor, Eileen Maksym, Michael Matheson, Fran Wilde, Jei D. Marcade, Emily Wagner, Will Savage, and Saira Ali. We couldn’t have done this without you.

The biggest thank yous are for Jason Sizemore and Catherynne M. Valente, who gave me this opportunity, and Michael Damian Thomas, my Managing Editor and partner. As many of you know, Michael and are a team. Nothing would have been possible without him.

I’d especially like to thank our contributors and readers. You’ve embraced us, and I just want to hug you all back. When we took over, we had no idea that the magazine would grow the way it did. We didn’t expect two Hugo Award nominations. I’m extremely proud of the work we’ve done and the excellent and diverse stories, essays, poems, and art we’ve put out into the world. We’re glad that the magazine mattered as much to you as it did to us.

We look forward to seeing all of you again when we return with our next project.

Warmly,

Lynne M. Thomas