Those of you who have downloaded the latest issue of the Magazine may have noticed that Google Groups is closing and becoming read-only from November.
This means I am going to have to find a new host site for future issues of the Magazine asap.
I am presently leaning towards Lulu.com, which also offers opportunities to publish the Magazine in various formats.
I intend to keep to the principle of it being free to download. But would anyone be prepared to pay for a hard copy version? A glossy magazine or a pocket-size paperback? Maybe an e-publication that you can read on your Kindle?
The experiment with having Guest Editors has had mixed results. Are there any volunteers willing to seriously commit themselves to producing an issue next year? Or should I take complete control again?
Or maybe I should just allow the Magazine to lapse...
I would appreciate your thoughts. In the end, it's your Magazine, after all.
kheldar | October 22, 2010 - 11:57
Hi there,
Please, please, please don't give up on the magazine. Despite my own personal disappointment at issue 19 never being published I would hate to see it go.
I think a pocket-sized paperback edition would be brilliant.
Perhaps for next year we could (at the risk of sounding "popularist") have themed editions.
Perhaps quarterly or bi-monthly might be a good way to go.
Regards,
kheldar
Harry Buschman | October 22, 2010 - 11:58
I have never been able to read a abc magazine. The format in google does not copy to my Mac.
Larkin Williamson | October 22, 2010 - 13:31
First of all...I commend your extraordinary efforts and works towards publishing a free magazine. I am sure it is both time consuming and there is always stress in fine tuning any act of publishing.
My experience in music publishing has taught me many hard lessons. You should always retain final editorial control. "Commercial" is only a dirty word to people who don't understand the connection of writing and publishing.
Have you thought of placing Amazon literary advertisements in the magazine? A simple non-exclusive agreement can be made with writers for a 50/50 cut of the sales clicks.
Whatever you decide, you have my best wishes.
WilkyBarKid | October 22, 2010 - 13:36
kheldar:
If I knuckle down to it, Issue 19 should be available as a super-bumper edition in December. Hopefully, this will be followed early next year by my personal picks from 2010, which will complete the gap with Issue 20.
A themed edition sounds attractive, but would be logistically difficult.
Harry:
I understand that PDFs are designed to be cross-platform compatible. If you have the free Adobe Acrobat Reader installed, you should be able to view the files.
blighters:
Keep watching the site for announcements from Tony Cook. I believe he is already working on ABCtales launching its own independent small press.
I'm not belittling your idea. But a huge problem is to establish a credible presence in the market place and to be perceived as being more than a vanity publication. If you feel you can crack that, then by all means go for it!
Larkin:
Yes, there is definitely a big difference between what gets cherry-picked on site, what is suitable for inclusion in the Magazine and what is likely to be published professionally.
Though I have been taking a back seat, I find that I am itching to seize control again.
tcook | October 22, 2010 - 16:37
Wilky - I am glad that you wish to seize control again, batteries recharged. The magazine is very valuable addition to the site and my admiration for your skill and professionalism in its production is undimmed. Thankyou.
Curse of 222 | October 22, 2010 - 20:35
i haven't had any involvement in the editor/publishing side, and i'm sure i have no clue how much work is actually involved. however, this site has made a great difference to me personally. if there is anything i can do to help with the magazine, please don't hesitate to contact me. also, i think a hard copy format would be enjoyable and worthwhile.
jason
Margharita | October 24, 2010 - 19:14
I love the mag, congratulations to Wilky for all the work. Yes, would willingly pay for a hard copy format. Like Curse of 222, I haven't any experience in the publishing side but if there's a menial task I could help with I would be more than happy. Small press idea sounds really good.
insertponceyfre... | October 25, 2010 - 07:03
Please don't let the magazine lapse! I like the idea of a hard copy too - perhaps you could use print on demand to avoid unnecessary outlay? It was a shame about the missing edition - I really enjoyed the others though - yours too. why not try a hard copy of the next issue as an experiment?
mcmanaman | October 25, 2010 - 23:24
My feeling is that a hard copy would be more popular and of more interest. As ABC is online anyway would be interesting to see it in print. The ABC Tales special edition of Big Issue earlier this year was really interesting and is much different to have a hard copy than to read on a screen.