August 16, 2001: ThePedestalMagazine.com Celebrates First Six Month's Success and Opening of Online Gallery

Charlotte, NC - The Pedestal Magazine.com launched its first bimonthly issue on the Winter Solstice, December 21, 2000.  On June 21, 2001 it turned six months old. In July, 2001 the newest feature was added – an online Art Gallery showcasing original works of art. "I’m very proud of the magazine and its accomplishments in the first six months," stated Founder and Editor John Amen.  "We’ve set the tone for the magazine and are looking forward to embracing new challenges."  The Pedestal Magazine’s numbers have been on a steady rise each month, nearly tripling in hits from December 2000 to May 2001, and doubling in the number of page views and unique users in that same time.

The Pedestal Magazine is the vision of published writer and entrepreneur John Amen. Mr. Amen’s mission for the magazine is to publish a premier literary magazine, exclusively on-line, featuring new and established writers and visual artists. Each bimonthly issue includes an in-depth interview with a featured writer and visual artist along with examples of their work, as well as poetry, fiction and non-fiction from writers around the world. The magazine serves as a publishing outlet for writers as well as providing quality literature and art for its readers at no charge. You can access the website at http://www.thepedestalmagazine.com.

The Pedestal Magazine.com’s accomplishments include establishing itself as a premier online literary magazine as evidenced in the critically acclaimed writers it has featured and published in the first four issues - Stan Rice, Susan Ludvigson, Sharon Olds and Michael McClure. "Having this level of writers join us in our first six months is really a coup for the magazine," states Mr. Amen. These writers have each published numerous books of their own work as well as being published in such esteemed literary magazines as The New Yorker, The Paris Review, The Atlantic Monthly, Ploughshares and Poetry. They have also been the recipient of numerous grants and awards from renowned institutions including the National Endowment for the Arts and the Guggenheim Fellowship Grants.  "It was a pleasure to be included in The Pedestal Magazine and to have six of my new poems published there," remarked Susan Ludvigson, "John has opened up another doorway for writers who want to have their work published and read in a quality publication."

Other writers that have been published in The Pedestal Magazine include Alan Shapiro, Barry Spacks, Sarah Lindsay, Janet Buck, and James Sallis.  Since inception, the magazine has received over 2000 submissions of poetry, fiction and non-fiction, and has published over 50 works by both established and burgeoning writers.

Committed also to the field of visual arts, The Pedestal Magazine.com has presented the artwork of four established visual artists – David Harouni, Charlotte Foust, Ginger Wagoner and James Michalopoulos. The Pedestal Magazine is proud to announce the opening of its online Art Gallery where works by these artists and others can be purchased securely online. "All along I envisioned being able to showcase and sell original artwork from acclaimed artists," stated Mr. Amen.  "This is now possible through our online Art Gallery." The purchasing process is very simple and can all be done from the comfort of your home or office. Original artwork in a variety of price ranges is offered.

Future plans for The Pedestal Magazine.com include incorporating audio and video segments into the website; creating a comprehensive "events calendar"  to include literary and arts events such as openings, benefits, writing contests, etc.; and possibly an annual "Year -end" or "Best of" version of the magazine in print.