As this is the first issue, there may those of you who will have suggestions, comments, kudos or knocks and we welcome them all.  You can send your email to EditorBouvZine@bogartsdaddy.com or click on my picture or on the red box with my name in it @ the bottom of this letter.   Within the "BouvZine", itself, you can write us by clicking on "To the editor" or by clicking on  "Comments Form".  Please don't be shy about your comments either. Your honest appraisal -- positive or negative -- is the best way to improve this publication which is being produced as a labor of love for the enjoyment & edification of others in the Bouvier community.  

Many of you have been very generous with your time, knowledge, talents and materials & I want to take this opportunity to thank you all.   My hope is that in the coming months, more of you will join in the "BouvZine" experience to share your information, observations, opinions, stories, expertise & pictures about our Bouvier World.   This, after all,  is *your* "BouvZine" and only *all of you* can make it a success.  And, of course, I can use all the help I can get.

There are no charges associated with this publication; no money is exchanging hands except between me & my ISP for server space and it will remain this way for the foreseeable future.

Announcements are welcome. The "BouvZine" will accept them & ads as well; again, without charge.  Brags are free, litters can be advertised only if accompanied by the appropriate health certificates on both parents & the contractual specifications for the sale, all of which will be published along with pictures, descriptions or any other pertinent information you want to supply us, about the puppies. 

Infrequently there will be an "advertised" item for sale by an independent contractor but under no circumstances will this publication receive any financial remuneration for any sales that my result from those ads.  The criteria for whether a particular item is suitable will be left solely to the discretion of the editor of the eZine.

The "BouvZine" is to be a multimedia experience so you are encouraged to consider diagrams, pictures, sounds & videos along with your text.   If you are not able to include them, you can send any or all elements to us. We will do it for you & return all the original materials to you in a timely fashion.

If you have a story idea or a category as you glance through this first issue, please send me a note by clicking the "comment form" link within the eZine.

One idea that I have is for all of us to collaborate to write a novella called "BouvLand Adventures".  Different people write segments of an on going tale."

This is a Bouv's tale if you will, perhaps incorporating a hilarious moment as told by an observing cat or your own observation.  Can't you imagine a "show" Bouv talking back to Jim Engel? Or a segment about a trip to Belgium to see grandmum or... oh well, you all have a better imagination than I.   Steve & Storm have been kind enough to start us off & you can read part 1 in this,  the first edition of the "BouvZine". 

As each segment of this continuing story is posted, someone picks it up & continues it, perhaps taking it in an entirely different direction.  All submissions can be sent to me directly and I will update the "BouvZine" when that happens.

How one knows who's turn it is to pick up the story is a simple process.  All of you who become interested in participating, send me a note via "to the editor" & I will notify you when it is your turn.  You will then have 2 weeks to write your segment.   How's that?  Doesn't work?  Send me an idea for a  better system & I'll use it.

"BouvLand Adventures", the novella, will link all of us, part of the magic of the internet & the BouvWorld that we share.

We all know some good writers, witty people & Bouv characters. We all have a story in us. So, come on, join in the fun.  Let's see what a worldwide Bouvier collaboration brings to the table.  Click here or on the red button below if you are interested.

See you in "BouvLand Adventures".

Sincerely,
           Jan Rifkinson