Hiatus.

Sorry everybody. I know you haven’t heard a lot about Test Everything lately. Plain and simple: time and money have been extremely short. I (Rand Renfrow) Am currently printing Issue 4 and 5 right now, and a few artist prints, but none of that will get released until the new website is done. Yes, a NEW website. Also, when that is launched, submissions will open back up for the 6th issue: It Is a Pleasure to Meet You. Test Everything is also working on some more ambitious projects, in some different directions, so be prepared. This will be the last post on this blog, and all the paypal inventories are at zero for the store (but we are not sold out), you can’t buy anything right now.

Rest assured: WE ARE NOT DEAD YET.

SXSW Event: 20 Zines in 2 Days!

Hey everybody. I know there has been a lack of posting. I’ll address that later – all you need to know is that we are still cooking up projects here, but that some of the printing equipment has been on the fritz, so production is at a stand still. Quite frustrating actually. Anyways, more about that later, this post is to tell you about a super neat South By Southwest even that Test Everything Press is co-hosting with Winners! Press at Domy Books in Austin, Texas. Check out the flyer below, and repost it everywhere you blog!

So basically anyone who shows up gets to help make 20 zines, each with a different theme. But to determine the themes, you have to submit your ideas! As many as you want. That way, if you don’t live in Austin you can still help. You may email me theme ideas as well: testeverythingpress@gmail.com or randrenfrow@gmail.com. Also, email me if you are confused. Hope you can make it!

OH, and if you didn’t see, Test Everything got awarded best self publishing of 2009 in Austin, TX as awarded by Domy Books!

Deadline Pushed Back (& other news)

Hey everybody! Just a few quick announcements. Anybody who has ordered anything before Christmas and after – all orders have been shipped, Test Everything is all caught up. And due to catching up with shipments and orders, the inventory looks like this: Issue 002: Don’t Worry About The Smiles, They’re Normal, is completely sold out. You can’t buy it online or in stores. So thanks everyone for buying! On that note though, there is still plenty of copies of everything else in the store, except for maybe It Is Time.

Also, Test Everything Issue 003: I’ll See You In My Dreams can now be found at the following wonderful stores: Domy Books in Austin (as usual), Nudashank in Baltimore, and Quimby’s in Chicago. Hooray! If you live near those retailers, go out and get it. And look for our next issues to continue to hit the selves at those stores, and hopefully more as relationships develop.

Alright, last but not least, is the most important news. I have only received 12 submissions for the current theme: It Is a Pleasure To Meet You. Don’t get me wrong, I love all of the entries so far, but I need more! So i am pushing the deadline back even further. The new deadline is February 12. So send ’em in! Tell your friends! Hit the blogs! I would love to see what you got! Thanks everybody. The next issue (Hugs Will Save Us) is almost done.

General Holiday Info

We have a winner! Talia K. was the randomly chosen person out of everyone who answered the trivia question correctly in the first Test Everything Email news, and thus has won a free copy of I’ll See You In My Dreams. There were only five entries, so perhaps more of you out there should get with it, and respond to the emails, if you want to win something, or sign up for the email newsletter with the link in the column on the right if you haven’t already.

Alright! Also important is this tidbit: I (Rand Renfrow) will be in Chicago from December 14-21. This means a few things. Most importantly that, if you want to hang out or meet up, just email me at randrenfrow@gmail.com, and tell me when and where. But, also Test Everything won’t be shipping any orders until after Christmas. That is December 25th. Sorry, but I just can’t. Everyone can still order things, they just won’t go out until after December 25th.

I was trying to finish Hugs Will Save Us by Christmas, but that looks like it may not happen. I’ll be sure to keep everyone updated. I have emailed everyone that has been chosen to be in Remember The Good Times, so please, please, check your inboxes and respond to that email if you got it. I need your information! There are still plenty of copies of I’ll See You In My Dreams in the store.

Ok, I believe that is it. I’ll be updated this part of the website often, so keep checking.

NEW THEME!

“It Is A Pleasure To Meet You”
colors: Turquoise and Black.
size: 5.5in x 7in
due: Try to have these in by January 22, 2010.

Here are some things to keep in mind:
– The artwork needs to be drawn.
– You must include the words of the theme.
– Scan your work in at 300dpi or higher. Make sure the file you send me is at least 300dpi.
– This will be screen printed, so if you know about the process, you can send me the artwork split into two solid black layers – what you want turquoise and what you want black. At the very least, try to send me a file where the turquoise is on one layer and the black on another.
If you still can’t or don’t want to do that, no big deal, I will just split it up when i get it.

This is an OPEN CALL for submissions. I want everyone to doodle something and send it in, but understand that not everyone that sends something in will make it into the final print version.
ONLY 16 artists make it in. That is, until I start selling enough of these to get a bigger budget.
If your artwork does get selected, you get a free artist proof of the book. (It looks exactly the same, it is just one of the ones printed first).
And you can then make a donation, if you feel so compelled.

So there you go!
Please start submitting right away.
Send files to randrenfrow@gmail.com OR testeverythingpress@gmail.com
Send your questions and concern there as well. AND PLEASE TELL YOUR FRIENDS! Test Everything relies on awesome people like you spreading the word!

thanks,
~rand renfrow

PS: Visit the store for new zines! Sign up for the newsletter by clicking on the link in the column on the right. There has already been one giveaway via the newsletter (winner announced soon) – who knows, you could be next.
Also, Test Everything has a twitter now, if it is easier for you to keep track of us there.

NEW STORE ITEMS

The long awaited Isue 003 of the Test Everything zine is finally out.
Grab a copy of I’ll See You In My Dreams at the store.

(cover by Jon MacNair)

Also, Test Everything’s first solo artist book is out. I (Rand Renfrow) decided to get the ball rolling myself. Expect more of these very soon, and not just by me.

(view all spreads @ Flickr)

More news and a new theme very, very soon. Just trying to get organized here.
Hugs Will Save Us is being printed right now.
Stay tuned for more updates. Thanks. Direct all questions, not to the comments, but to randrenfrow@gmail.com or testeverythingpress@gmail.com.

Cardon Copy (cardon webb)

Redesigns of found street posters.
WEBSITE

Matthew the Horse

I love, love, love this illustration work. Awesome.
WEBSITE

Thomas Prior

Awesome photography!
WEBSITE

NEW STORE ITEMS!

TWO PRINTS BY WILL BRYANT!!!!
These will go fast. Better snatch ’em up.
More important news soon.