I just left my job as an editor-in-chief of the Bulgarian .net magazine (it’s a localized version under the license of the .net magazine, UK). And because I don’t want this text to misinterpreted in any way, let me say that Future Publishing are not involved in this story and all that happened is between me and my Bulgarian publisher.

I started this job (which was a big challenge for me) with eagerness and passion and I know I did my best.

The first issue was a crazy story; it was done in less than four weeks and with the possible minimum of resources. But it was accepted very well by its audience of Bulgarian designers & developers, and so started for me the period of ten months of sleepless nights.

Eleven issues. 5 of them made without the proper help of an assistant-editor and the first three made even without the help of a proof-reader. I constantly worked online with the print designer, who was a freelancer; we also had to work together personally many nights, just before going to print. For months I answered to all e-mails, sent to us by our readers, I took interviews and I was constantly searching (online and offline) for contributors for the magazine. And if you think that “editor-in-chief” is just some kind of a good business card decoration — it is not.

I will always remember many fun situations, like the one when in a frenzy just before going to print we realized that there’s an illustration we don’t have the right to use. Then I made a quick sketch and it went to print. The good side was that nobody complained about this particular illustration. ;-)

Every issue was a product of hard work, and I am very well aware that they are not perfect, but at least they were made with love. Lots of love! :-)

It’s a long and painful story for me to tell, and I will spare you most of the details. The main reason for my sudden leaving could be generalized with these terms (usually associated with divorcing couples): “insurmountable differences of personalities”. In this case — differences between the editor-in-chief and the publisher.

Hundreds of times I tried to sit down and to write about it, but I just couldn’t find the right words.

There were many things that could probably turn out better, but they didn’t. I know it’s partly because of my naiveté.

Like I said once, if you do a job with all of your heart, you take the risk to have it broken, but anyhow, it’s the only way I know how to live and work.

When I give my word that I will do something, I am much too devoted to the achieving of the best possible results.
It’s fair to be said that I always keep my word.
The worst sin of mine is probably that I am over-credulous.

I gave a credit of trust to a person who showed me from the very beginning that it can’t be trusted.

What were the chances that one day it will let me down? Huuuge.

And when it happened, I couldn’t even believe it.

So, I am writing this as a warning to other people like me:

Please, don’t make the same mistake.

Don’t focus all your life on work, no matter how attractive it is and how much it seems to give you satisfaction.

Indeed, working as an editor for .net Bulgaria was in many ways a wonderful job.

It was high lath and I jumped it.

The amount of effort I have invested was not remunerated accordingly, but I took this job because I liked the magazine very much and so I worked hard 28 days every month for it to happen.
I had to read and re-read the magazine at least three times on screen before going to print, and this means reading and editing over 300 thousand characters, and it was more than enough strain for my eyes and for my back (which now troubles me seriously).
Despite this, everything concerning .net also gave me the very satisfying feeling that I can do bigger things than I have previously thought I am able to, and so I still feel it as a big personal success.

But as an employee, I failed. I admit that I failed mainly to defend my rights, relying very foolishly on false promises and beautiful words.

I wish a wonderful future to .net Bulgaria, because there is no parent who would wish ill to his child. But I also remind myself to be very, very careful next time, when I give my trust to someone.
Even if for a good cause.

The moral of this story is that you cannot be misused, unless you let yourself be.

A door is closed, but many others are waiting to be opened, and I am happy that I can step up on a new path in my life.

P.S. This job gave me the opportunity to meet and work with unique people.
I want to say thanks especially to Dan Oliver — my English counterpart, and to all of the people who helped .net Bulgaria without receiving anything in return.
Don’t want to mention all of you name by name, for I am afraid I can miss somebody. :-)
I am most happy to know all of you and I will be always grateful for the chance to work with you.
I owe many of you more than one beer. ;-)
(Without forgetting my dear husband, who supported me all the time, even when part of the price for this was neglecting our personal life).