I get two questions more than any others.

• • When are you releasing the magazine?
  • Is this a one-time thing or will you keep it going?

The first is somewhat obvious now with you reading this and all, but for a very long time it wasn’t. The inaugural issue was set to release on June 8th, 2019 as an homage to the tragedy that set this all in motion. Well, a year went by quick and all I had was an inbox full of maybe’s or unanswered messages. It’s difficult to get people get on board of a project that just exists in some guy’s head. It’s even more difficult (understandably) to convince someone to put their life on hold to be involved in that nebulous project. And it’s a fucking miracle when someone responds to a stranger on Instagram considering all the scams and vultures there are on that app, not to mention the stink of desperation my particular messages must’ve had.

But, here we are, looking at a thing that didn’t exist before, because of the kindness, generosity, trust and effort of all the contributors.

The second is a categorical yes…however, Peon is not an operation. It is created by many people, but there is no office or staff. It’s me. One guy. Hi, my name is Zakk.I’m the creative director, head of communications, head writer, editor, publisher, investor, web designer, accountant, marketer, social media manager, and head fuck-up. It’ll probably be that way for a great deal longer.

What we’ve created here – the contributors and myself – is by no means the refined gem of what Peon is or can be. Much like a painting, it wasn’t what we imagined, but it exists now because of our efforts. It’s all the more beautiful for it.

Along the way, we’ll be asking ourselves what an online magazine can do that traditional print can’t. Donations and unobtrusive advertising will go toward paying authors and artists as well as to maintain and expand Peon.

This is just the beginning. Shit’s gonna get weirder. Shit’s gonna get more complex. Hopefully, shit’s gonna grow and evolve. I don’t know what happens next, but I can say we’re not like other food journalism outlets. We’ll never be Eater or Thrillist or any of the other countless SEO driven food sites. There are enough lists in the world. We put a ton of care and thought and effort into what we do and that takes time. Trying to do things differently also takes a ton of time. It might take us longer to publish than a traditional mag, but it’s my promise that it’ll be unique.

Enough of my bullshit. I’ll step down from my soapbox, but before I do, let me say, if you like this thing we made, please support us. Support the contributors. Hang out. Send us some ideas. Tell a friend. Tell a cook, bartender, farmer, server, dishwasher, busser, bar-back. FINALLY, there’s a place for us peons.

Thanks for reading,

Zakk, Lead Fuck-up

Thanks to my family for their support. Special thanks to Emma, chief critic and resident almond peeler. Without her this would not have happened. Also, Keaton, Ellie, James, Daveed, Al, Santi, Moto & Emi. And thank you to everyone who responded to me or offered a kind word.