Hope you all had a pleasant Fourth of July and that none of you are as disoriented as I am by the Wednesday holiday. My biological clock is telling me it's Tuesday right now, but I think I'll manage.

Before bidding you all farewell for the weekend, I wanted to throw out a couple of suggestions that might help improve your experience at Open Salon. (Well, actually, one suggestion and a separate editorial note.) As you've probably gleaned from my Busy Open Call, I've been posting all of your stories to Facebook and Twitter. In order to maximize your readership, I'm asking that you also start including your Twitter handles in your respective bios and pieces. I know that a lot of you don't use the social networking service, but for those of you who do, this is just another way for me to show you some online love.

Now for my editor's rallying cry. Let me preface this by saying that I have been enormously impressed by the breadth and quality of work that has poured in these first two weeks; my covers really can't do you guys justice. As wonderful as your pieces have been, however, I also want to challenge you a little as writers and authors. I know that a blog is, by its nature, a medium for more informal prose. But if you have a story idea that you think might work for big Salon, you should treat it accordingly. Set a scene, step back to explain your conflict; don't be afraid to use your favorite Life essay as a structural template. If I see that you've written a formal piece in need of some revision, I'll be more inclined to roll up my sleeves to help make it stronger. 

Let me be clear: I welcome ALL forms of writing on Open, which my covers will soon attest if they haven't already. I just want to give you the best possible chance of having your work crossposted to the home site.

And with that, I'll let you guys devour me in the comments section. Have at it!