Editor's corner/ Over a cup of tea
Heidi M. Pascual*
Publisher & Editor
* 2006 Journalist of the
Year for the State of
Wisconsin (U.S.-SBA)
   Asian Wisconzine has proven, for nearly four years now, that determination, commitment to goals,
and hard work can realize a dream — an Asian American magazine in Wisconsin. Further, it has
proven that Asian Americans can be very visible (if they want to) and can consider each other as one
ethnic group, in a socio-political sense. Asian Wisconzine has become a bridge of sorts between and
among various Asian groups that, while aware of each other’s existence, didn’t truly have a common
“place” to learn about one another’s cultural differences and similarities, issues and concerns. To this
day, I am grateful for such feedback that points to the educational value of our small magazine. I am
grateful to the schools and libraries that consider Asian Wisconzine as a living resource for Asian
American lessons that are not found in any textbooks on their shelves. I am grateful to our growing
readership who waits with excitement for the coming of every new issue, both in print and online.
   Today, Asian Wisconzine’s online version gets more than 200 unique hits a day — a testament to its
usefulness and value to our readers. Our printed magazine gets taken by avid community readers a few
days after printing, leaving our retail outlets empty for more than two weeks before the next printing
cycle. I can only wish we can more than double our circulation to quench the thirst of our community
for all the things we write about.
   However, the present economic woes have struck hard, and it’s self-explanatory. If big businesses are
going down, small businesses must be worse. These times are giving me enough chills, and I am
mustering all the strength within me to hang in there. Asian Wisconzine has started a nice tradition,
and I want to keep it that way.
   In the next months, I will be implementing necessary measures to cut expenses without sacrifing
quality. A friend advised me to go back to newsprint, but I said, “No. Asian Wisconzine has become an
all-glossy, beautiful magazine, and it is going to be that way ... always.” The worst scenario could be
on the printing frequency, but that’s just a thought at this point. Asian Wisconzine online will continue
to provide an extended version of the print edition, with additional online-only articles and video
reports.
   I therefore call on our readers and advertisers to keep the faith. I promise that Asian Wisconzine will
be here as long as you are all with me. To those who have not renewed their subscriptions, please do
so. To our advertisers, let’s talk about how we can weather the storm together until the sun comes out
on the horizon.
    God Bless us all.
Chills of being small