It wasn't the first time I'd heard it, so I wasn't hurt or offended. A Great Lakes member was relaying another's criticism: `The Herald focuses too much on Ancients." I could have been defensive and assert I merely publish what I receive. However, I knew if you broke down the articles by period, Ancients would lead the pack. It is partly my fault, too, as the bulk of what I write about is my Ancient campaigns, scenarios or miniatures I've bought.

Did that mean I give articles about Ancients preferential treatment? Actually, I'll let you in on a secret: The opposite is true. I often hold back an Ancients article in favor of an other period one. Take Scott Jeske's article this issue. He submitted it in plenty of time for last issue. However, if I ran it, I would have had to hold back Mike Reese's report about World War II games at the Battlefields convention or the article on the multi-period Hex Command rules. So, why not hold back last issue's Ancient-themed "War Poetry" or "Hoplite Warfare" instead? They'd already been held back from the PREVIOUS issue, and "Hex Command" from two issues before!

Now, I realize there isn't widespread unrest or dissatisfaction with the newsletter. On the contrary, you guys have been generous with your praise and made me feel my work as editor is appreciated. I am writing about this to hopefully spur some of you to send articles about other, less covered periods. Achieving balance is what I strive for, but I need your help! Mike Reese does a good job sending in regular World War II articles. The Ancients Crowd does a good job sending in articles, surely we enthusiasts of other periods can do the same?

Roman Dreams

My thoughts have turned to dreams, at least on the web! It was a couple years in the making, but I have finally launched my gaming web site (called "Roman Dreams"). It contains descriptions of my armies, lots of pictures, complete campaign rules, maps and reports, a list of recommended historical fiction, and more! Check it out at: http://www.geocities.com/ mikedemana/. For those of you who aren't aware of it, I also have a web site about my international travel. It is at: http://home.earthlink.net/-mikedemana/.

Computer Glitch

This should have been mailed a week earlier. When I was an hour or so from finishing it, my Pagemaker file became corrupted. Despite forums and Tech Support, I had to start over. More than 20 hours of work lost, and The Herald a week late. My apologies to all.