Periodically, we'll choose new issue themes. These are then posted on the site in the info section (here) and mailed to writers on the email list. Writers send us stories, we read them, and choose the ones we think builds the best issue.

Those stories are then either accepted right away (rare) or kicked back to the writer with suggestions for changes. Over a couple of weeks, we sculpt and mold these stories with their writers until they fit together into a perfect stack of Toner goodness.

Once we have those stories in hand, we talk to our art people and discuss how to handle things design-wise. We also look through our artist database and find someone well suited to the design decisions we’ve made for that particular piece. Then we tell that artist what we’re looking for, see if they’re available, and give them a deadline. There’s usually quite a bit of artistic freedom involved.

Rewritten stories come back from the writers, are given a fine edit, and the completed copy is emailed back to the writers. They OK the changes and send it back. (To see our Contributor Rights, click here.)

Art comes in for the stories, and the issue is laid out. At this point, we’re generally very close to being off schedule. Web and print production takes place simultaneously, the completed issue is uploaded to the web, displacing the old issue which is bundled and placed in the archives section.

There. That's how it works. Interested in getting involved? Check out our contributor's guidelines or our artist info.