I am so glad to be starting 2014 with so many readers and supporters like you! In 2013 we welcomed over 100,000 readers to our website and raised $20,000 from individual supporters. I expect 2014 to be even better.

At Rainbow Rumpus, we are using the phrase “Strengthening our Foundation” to guide our work in 2014. Stories are our foundation. We have the most and the best fiction, non-fiction, and illustrations for youth with LGBT parents. That’s the way we like it and that’s how we want to keep it! Here are a few ways we are strengthening our foundation in 2014.

We pay writers and artists for every piece we put up on our website. In 2014 we are going to pay authors more - three times more to be precise. Paying more for each story ensures that professional authors are paid a fair price for their best work and attracts more authors to Rainbow Rumpus. This is a good thing. We want the best stories for our readers and we want to support authors who are writing about LGBT-headed families.

Our website is due for a refresh. We want readers to easily find and enjoy all of our stories, illustrations, comics, coloring pages, and printable picture books (we have 7 years worth of them after all). In 2014, we are starting this process. If you have a suggestion for our website, I would love to hear it.

We are publishing on a new schedule for 2014. Starting with the January issue, we are publishing new fiction quarterly. In months when we don’t have a new story, we will have a brand new Rosen’Blue and Sassafras comic. Every month we will have new profiles of kids from LGBT-headed households in both the kids and teen websites. This new schedule will allow us to achieve the quality and consistency we want for our readers.

“Strengthening our Foundation” also means strengthening our relationship with our dedicated supporters. The board of directors is working hard to create a fundraising schedule for 2014 that kindles your passion for Rainbow Rumpus, while respecting your time (and inbox). Already we’ve reduced the number of monthly emails that supporters get from 12 to 4. If at any time you don’t wish to receive these emails you may unsubscribe. If at any time you want to hear more about Rainbow Rumpus, please contact me directly! I’d love to talk with you.

Sincerely,