TheHistorian wrote:I remain skeptical. What is the goal? What does this achieve? Why is bundling this better than starting threads here on all those fine topics?
JasonZavoda wrote:... but getting it ready as a pdf or for a POD, I am completely in the dark on how that is done.What it will also need is a slush pile of non-perishable articles. Any articles of a perishable nature need to wait till all the tech details are hammered out and the framework of the newsletter is in place. Would we want a newsletter or zine or magazine? Would we want it to be POD or have an actual (limited) printing?
JasonZavoda wrote:We don't really do articles here on the forums, just discussions and many interesting discussions are lost in the normal progression of new topics. The topic discussions themselves are often rambling and disjointed and it might be worth looking over the previous threads here and collating the information for a more coherent article.
bbarsh wrote:I can handle the production side. That is pretty easy for me to do and I have the infrastructure in place. I don't want to commit to much beyond that, but I could help with an edit or article from time to time.
stratochamp wrote:i think it is a very cool idea, and i would certainly buy a hard copy version if one was published. however, outside of scans of items i own, or commentary on same, i don't believe i have any other way of helping...
Badmike wrote:Typical issue might be:Cover by Jason Braun (old style);Editorial rant by Jason Z (not hard to get going once you wind him up);Definitive article on the different white box versions, with all the details and a bit of history on the white box, a good reference article you could refer if you are collector but actually readable;Tips on keywords to use on Ebay;Using Craigslist to find collectibles;Product checklist and review of The Companions releases;Product reviews of Bill's latest Pacesetter release, the new Swords & Wizardry book, and a Expeditious Press module;1st person accounts of this year's Garycon and NTRPG con;New auction highs of specific collectibles;New discoveries/print versions/debate on validity of new finds;"Items to Look For" focusing this issue on Judges Guild;Interview with Tim Kask;Letters to the Editor.What do you think? Each issue would mix this up every issue, dropping some features and adding others depending on the authors.Mike B.
JasonZavoda wrote:Just what we need, but also articles only the writers are going to think of. If this is going to be a newsletter, zine, magazine that manages to come out on a regular and timely basis then it needs articles/articles/articles there simply can't be too many. Best to be working two issues ahead, meaning that when you are ready to publish an issue you have the bulk of the material ready for the next two on hand and are gathering more to replenish. Otherwise shit happens and it starts becoming a scramble just to get the next issue out on time.People will pull articles, people will disappear and miss turning in regular columns, articles will turn out to need editing and re-editing and then implode like an aluminum can with the air sucked out of it. And all these things will need to be replaced from articles being prepared for the next issue, which will then need articles to replace those... wheeee!Seriously, the main ingredient to something like this are articles. So everyone interested, start thinking or writing. I am noting down interesting things Mike has said to work on. As soon as someone has an idea they are going to start with, post it here or send it to me. If anyone feels like they would like to be an editor on this or would rather have an editorial committee post it here and we can work it out. I just want to see this get started and actually done, if it can be done.But, like I've said, the main thing isn't editors or tech, it's material. If you have the material then forming it into a newsletter, zine or magazine is just about organization and determination. Without the material to work with there is nothing to edit or organize or print.
Badmike wrote:Well, we could start out with a surfeit of material if, say, authors of prior material agreed to have it "reprinted" in the mag. For example, both Jason and Mark have some pretty good reviews up for old school materials (here and on Dragonsfoot), if they would agree to have them reprinted in the Acaeum Journal that takes care of reviews for awhile. I'm willing to let the mag reprint any reviews I've done here (not a lot but a few) as long as I'm given the chance to "clean them up" a bit as I believe they were done several years ago. Anyone else willing to take a series of their posts, collate it, and clean it up a bit could do the same thing. Article writing is not as hard to do as you thought, then, is it? But Jason is correct that material is the key, which is why monthly magazines are so tough to keep going (and why quarterly is probably the best we could do). Having a lot of articles in the can is the secret to a good publication like this. Anyway I'll check out my reviews, clean them up a bit and send them off to you Jason, in the hopes they can be used in the future.Mike B.
ashmire13 wrote:Would there be any interest in presenting a section on minis? Either painting, pictures, collectables? Might be a small section to run perhaps?
