Illustration of Derek Powazek by Adam Ellis

Getting the Band Back Together

Fray launched on September 16, 1996. It was a totally different time, online and off.

Online, everyone was quite excited about the web, but the era of the blog was still a way off. The idea that web was good at personal storytelling was still a bit weird. Offline, I was 23, single, and just starting out in my career. I had a lot to prove.

What a difference 11 years makes. Now, the idea of the web as a medium for personal expression is commonplace. And as for me, I’m happily married and doing pretty good in my career as an author, designer, and consultant.

I put Fray on hiatus in 2005 because I just wasn’t sure what the site had to offer anymore. Now that everyone had a blog, there was less need for a venue for personal stories. That venue was all around us.

Today, 11 years after Fray first launched, it’s coming back. Different.

Busted!

Fray is now going to be a quarterly printed book. Each book will be on a theme. The first theme is Busted! True stories of getting caught in the act and it’s open for submissions now.

We’re hoping to have the book published before the holidays. If things go well, we’ll do another one in early 2008.

I learned a lot about the publishing industry in my time at JPG. It’s my hope to put that experience to work here. To make Fray an authentic, alive, and uncompromisingly fun experience for everyone involved.

Wanna join me? Submissions are open now!


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Hi, I’m Derek. I used to make websites. Now I grow flowers and know things. I’m mostly harmless. More.