Chesapeakeville, a monthly, subscription-based, print and PDF-format cultural journal of Virginia’s Chesapeake Bay seafood industry, has been launched. The first issue, November 2015, features Carroll Melvin Smith, lifelong waterman of Gwynn’s Island.

Timothy Thompson of Topping, a native of Richmond, founded and is publishing Chesapeakeville. He said he is a lifelong writer, storyteller, designer and marketing specialist. The journal, he said, “aims to be the cultural record, past and present, of the area’s fascinating characters, enterprises and locales that define our unique and historic region.”

Other topics in the first issue include the rise in oyster farming, and features on the working waterfront, communities and history.

Thompson said people interested in subscribing by PDF or in print may contact him by e-mail (chesapeakeville@gmail.com) or mail (P.O. Box 35, Topping, Va. 23169) or phone (804-212-6080).

The inaugural print issue will be $10, signed by Carroll Melvin Smith, and signed and numbered by Thompson. He said, “Printing of hard copies will be slightly delayed as I gather up each successive batch of orders.” Subsequent print issues will be $5 each. Thompson said he plans area launch parties which will be announced.