You all know what happens this time of year–reflections and resolutions.  In keeping with long held tradition, I take a look back at how far Walrus has come in 2011 and how far we plan to go in 2012.

Let’s begin with the reflections.

With the help of some very talented and dedicated writers – Jenny Beatrice, Tiffany Sweeney, and Diana Davis – we’ve been able to share with you literary event reports such as readings and signings. We have also shared book reviews, contest lists, Walrus author interviews and personal essays. Some of our most popular pieces include Tif’s review of In the Garden of Beasts, Jenny’s report on “An Evening with Charlaine Harris and Laurell K. Hamilton” and Diana’s report on rock legend Alex Call’s book signing of 867-5309/Jenny: The Song That Saved Me.

We’ve added Jaime Kelley and Julie Earhart to the Walrus writing staff. Jaime brings her wonderful writing talent to the team, and we’re looking forward to bringing her unique perspectives to the Walrus web site. (Read her first article, “A Guest at Rumi’s Wedding Night.”) Julie is a regular contributor to our book reviews, bringing her love of books and experience as marketing assistant at the St. Louis Public Library to our team. (Read one of her recent reviews, Bird Life at the Pole.)

We made some celebrity friends at local events such as Elaine Viets, Susan McBride, Irene Hannon, Laurel K. Hamilton, Kim Edwards, Julia Usher, Hillary Jordan, Gregory Maguire, and Alton Brown, just to name a few. Our own Diana dug deeper with some great interviews (read her chats with Elaine and Irene).

It doesn’t get any better than meeting such talented people and sharing that experience with our Walrus family, which has grown from just a few users to our site to a few hundred followers on RSS, Facebook, and Twitter combined.

All in all, 2011 was a great year.  In 2012, we resolve to top it!

This month we launched Twelve Months with the Walrus, a monthly short story contest whose winners will receive a cash prize and publication on the Web site. And yes, we’re going to compile all the monthly winners into a book tentatively titled Twelve Months with the Walrus. We know you have fabulous stories waiting to be told and we want to hear them.

We will also be launching some new content on our site, including some interactive opportunities such as an online book club. We guarantee you will love our newly developed unique classification system for book reviews. Look for more information in February.

We’re thrilled to announce that our next book, Out to Pasture, is coming out this summer. Curtis Comer does a wonderful job of exploring what it means to be a gay man at mid-life in this collection of essays which first appeared in Vital Voice St. Louis’ premier lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) informational source.

In our continued support of local authors and publishers, Walrus Publishing is now collaborating with PenUltimate Press to begin work on a St. Louis Book Fair, a great opportunity to bring the St. Louis independent publishers and book sellers together. More information coming soon.

Yes, it’s been a good year and it looks like it’s only going to get better. If you have the time, drop us a comment or two on what you think and what you would like to see for 2012 or just share your hopes and dreams for this year. We’d love to hear from you.

Wishing you and yours all the best in 2012!