Ever dreamed of running your own magazine? Then Nicole Cohen wants to talk to you.

In a candid announcement on Shameless magazine's blog, the co-founder and co-editor expresses the joys of indie publishing -- and the sober realities. And sadly, the heartaches are winning:

The world of small magazine publishing is not as glamorous as you might think. Sure, we get to air our opinions in the media, spend time with smart, creative folks and throw ourselves parties to celebrate new issues. But we also lug heavy boxes of magazines across town on subways, streetcars and bikes, and come home from our stressful day jobs to be greeted with more work (this time unpaid) that keeps us up too late and sometimes makes us cranky ... we're tired. After almost three years of running Shameless (and a couple of years of planning before that), we both need a break. And so, if all goes according to plan, the Spring 2007 issue will be our last as co-editors and co-publishers.

Shameless is a proudly independent, grassroots magazine founded by Cohen and her co-editor Melinda Mattos in 2004. The publication provides a welcome alternative for teens and girls otherwise inundated with makeup, shopping, and diet tips. The calibre of their magazine has been widely recognized -- it's won numerous awards (including NOW's Best New Magazine of 2004 and an Utne award for Best Personal Life Writing). For all these reasons, the departure of these two from the biz is sad news indeed.

But fear not. Cohen and Mattos aren't closing the doors on Shameless itself. Instead of suspending publication, they're looking for "energetic, talented folks to take over the magazine." Interested parties should be passionate about the pub's mandate, have a strong vision, and be available to work from home on a volunteer basis. Feel like you're looking in a mirror? We recommend you fire them an email.

Any wealthy benefactors out there, this is your cue to step forward.

Image borrowed from Shameless.com.