You're Welcome, Fellow Aged Catholic Writers

Just got the following email from Dappled Things. This is good news for Antiquus and yours truly. Can anyone honestly believe the timing of this announcement was coincidental when it so nearly corresponds to my 36th birthday--the very one which would have put me over the edge of the age restriction?

No way.

Dear Friends,

I have some very important news to share with you about Dappled Things.

Since its inception, Dappled Things (www.dappledthings.org) has sought to provide a venue for emerging writers and artists to engage the culture from a Catholic perspective. In order to safeguard this mission, we have followed the policy of only receiving submissions from contributors between the ages of 18 and 35. However, throughout the past two years we have received comments from many readers and potential contributors who wish Dappled Things would accept work from persons of any age. This desire is understandable, as there are almost no other venues that specialize in creative work inspired by the Catholic tradition. Still, we have hesitated to remove our age limits because we do not want a situation in which more experienced writers and artists crowd out those who are still at the start of their careers.

After much deliberation, we have concluded that opening up the magazine to creative Catholics of all ages need not undermine our mission. We will remain committed to seeking out and publishing the work of emerging writers and artists, but we will now welcome submissions without regard to a person's age. By doing this, we hope Dappled Things will become a locus of the best creative talent available within the English-speaking Church. We want Dappled Things to be a magazine of which the Church can be proud (in a completely non-sinful way, that is) and through which Catholics can offer an alternative to the often confused culture that surrounds them.

If "The Golden Compass" and "The DaVinci Code" are works that characterize the "wisdom" of our age, we hope that Dappled Things will become a venue where those with a more profound vision -- the Tolkiens, Lewises, Waughs, and O'Connors of the future -- will be able to become known and share their work with the world. So whether you are a reader seeking material that will enrich your mind, soul, and imagination, or a writer who hopes to share some truth and beauty with the world, we hope you will join the Dappled Things community. To submit your work, please visit our website for instructions.

Sincerely in Christ,

Bernardo Aparicio
President, Dappled Things

P.S.: Now that we are in the season of giving, might you consider promoting this effort by giving your friends and family gift subscriptions to Dappled Things for Christmas? Not only will it be a completely unique and affordable Christmas present, but it will support the work of those who would win back imaginations from the Dan Browns and Philip Pullmans of our world. Or would you consider making a donation, no matter how small? Donations following our recent appeal have been incredibly scant, and we are struggling! Your support is crucial to the future of the magazine. You can subscribe or donate online via PayPal, or send us a check, payable to Dappled Things Magazine, to the following address:

Dappled Things Magazine
c/o Katherine Cybulski
5850 Cameron Run Terrace, # 516
Alexandria, VA 22303

Thanks and God bless!