Today is my last day as Editor in Chief of Down East Magazine. I am stepping aside to focus on my novels. The November issue, out in a few weeks, is officially my last.
For years people have asked me how I have managed to balance both careers (the answer is "by sacrificing everything else"), but the time finally came for me to choose. Fans of Mike Bowditch will be seeing a lot more of him as a result. Happily, I'm staying on at the magazine in the newly created position of Editor Emeritus which mostly means I will be an on-call editorial consultant and troubleshooter.
But this is a day of departure for me, made more sweet than bittersweet by good news from the International Regional Magazine Association. Down East dominated this year's awards, winning more than any other magazine.
Which brings to mind an episode of "Seinfeld":
JERRY: "Showmanship, George. When you hit that high note, you say goodnight and walk off."
GEORGE: "I can't just leave."
JERRY: "That's the way they do it in Vegas."
GEORGE: "You never played Vegas."
JERRY: "I hear things."