I completely agree with everything you said! As I wrote you privately, my estimate is that I've asked 10 people to be a part of Symposion. About 20% never replied to my email (bad email addy? who knows). Perhaps 20% said no (one was Paul Cartledge, who quite politely responded that he was uncomfortable with the technicalities, as he's a bit of a Luddite, I understand). The rest have said yes, and have been wonderful.

My biggest problem with Symposion is getting recommendations for authors to contact. Mirjam's suggestion of Katherine Griffis-Greenberg meant we had her "OK" in about 2 days! Unfortunately, my own area is Graeco-Roman; I know who's writing in that area, but I'm hopeless for Celtia, Germania (other than its conflict with the Roman Empire), Mesopotamia, or the Americas.

Also, as you noted, we have no publicity committee here at AW, no group focused on getting word out about the site and getting either print or media publicity, let alone contacting people. That would turn what is essentially a rather amateur, haphazard program into something far more efficient, I suspect ;)

So if you are interested in working with the Symposion, or have a suggestion about an author for us to contact, you have to let us know!!! *Pretty Please*