They cancelled a contract with me saying they're going out of business,
but their web site doesn't look like it. They're still accepting new
subscriptions, too. Beware & don't renew. I've seen other magazines go
out of business & rarely received my money back. Usually they just
disappear & the amount is too small to make it worth going after.
Leon, that was one of the examples I was thinking of. I still follow
some of Windows magazine's old staff writers. They had some of the
best.
Yes, Alex, that's the one. Personally, I don't think it was a great
magazine. It never describes the tricks of the trade - just tells you
to do something. Not so good for a beginner, IMO.
I have since received an email from the editor. He is no longer
employed by the publisher & the magazine is definitely out of
circulation according to him. He provided me information to go after
my kill fee. The publisher, EGW, is really playing dirty, though. The
kill fee on my article isn't a big deal, but still taking new
subscriptions is not cool.
Jim
Jim writes:
Yes, Alex, that's the one. Personally, I don't think it was a great
magazine. It never describes the tricks of the trade - just tells you
to do something. Not so good for a beginner, IMO.
I have since received an email from the editor. He is no longer
employed by the publisher & the magazine is definitely out of
circulation according to him. He provided me information to go after
my kill fee. The publisher, EGW, is really playing dirty, though. The
kill fee on my article isn't a big deal, but still taking new
subscriptions is not cool.
Well, I guess I can cancel my own contract there. I was doing an
article for them, but seems like it won't need to be finished.
John, I got a subscription to it somehow & since it was coming to the
house, I read it. I happened to see they wanted projects & happened to
have one I thought they'd be interested in. Turns out they were. I
don't write articles for a living, it was just something fun to do with
my hobby. I'd never done an article before & doubt I'll do another any
time soon. It was a lot of work for very little pay. It was an
interesting experience, though.
Jim
John DeBoo responds:
">If it was not a 'great' rag, how come you were writing an article for
>them? Just curious, not trying to start a flame war.
>Since that wasn't my expressed opinion, why ask me that question?
Ahh, I see the error. You don't have any special characters
automatically inserted to distinguish your text from someone elses
'quote', nor your name so it looked like it was all yours. sorry..."
The joys of using Google.
John, IMO, a rag becomes great when makes me want to read every page or
at least look closely at it. Weekend Woodcraft never did that for me,
although I liked some of their stuff. The magazine was very project
oriented, so if you didn't like the end result, it wasn't worth reading
the article. There wasn't anything in there about particular problems
or techniques, just cut piece A & glue it to B. Cut on the dotted
line... Not my cup of tea. I've been doing this long enough that I
like general ideas or specific solutions to tough issues. A discussion
on 6 ways to mount a piece of glass into a box lid is interesting to
me. How to build a box isn't.
As for you hiring great writers, I think you've got a task Diogenes
wouldn't envy. Great writers are few & far between - so are competent
woodworkers that can clearly explain their techniques. Putting the two
together leaves you pretty slim pickings. Further reduce the number to
those who can make it interesting & are interested in doing so... well,
it's a wonder, but there actually are a couple. Roy Underhill comes to
mind. Steve Blenk who writes the lathe column for Wood magazine seems
to be another.
Personally, I found that one article I wrote to be way more work than
it was worth. It's my hobby, so I'd rather 'do' than fiddle with
taking pictures & trying to get the words perfect so they can fit into
a small space & are understood. I write a fair amount in my job,
mostly documenting & specifying applications & devices for computer
network systems. My subject matter is dry, audience is small & I
interact with them often, so I can correct misunderstandings quickly.
I find that difficult enough. I don't even try to make it interesting
- I don't have to, thank god. I can see it now, "The fun & interesting
method for configuring the Symantec 4420 SSL VPN device for the
company!" LOL
Jim
The old editor of Weekend Woodcraft wrote me the following, thought you
all might be interested...
From: Robert Joseph:
"Linda and I are still trying to create a new magazine. However this
magazine well be an on-line magazine where people will come and
download their projects. We hope to have this up and running within the
next
six months. We hope that you'll stop by the web site and check it out.
We well be offering the same type projects that were offered in Weekend
Woodcrafts. You'll be able to find us www.weekendwoodworks.com. This
site is still under construction. We'll notify you by email once the
site is up and running. Please tell everyone you know."
Jim
I replied to you last night, but it looks like it didn't take. A great
magazine is one I want to read every page of. That means good writers
& interesting topics. Weekend Woodcraft did projects that said to cut
part A & part B, put together. I know how to do that. I'd be more
interested in a discussion on 6 ways to use glass in a box top - I know
how to build a box.
Jim
If it was not a 'great' rag, how come you were writing an article for
them? Just curious, not trying to start a flame war.
John
Charlie Self wrote:
>Jim writes:
>
>Yes, Alex, that's the one. Personally, I don't think it was a great
>magazine. It never describes the tricks of the trade - just tells you
>to do something. Not so good for a beginner, IMO.
>
>
>I have since received an email from the editor. He is no longer
>employed by the publisher & the magazine is definitely out of
>circulation according to him. He provided me information to go after
>my kill fee. The publisher, EGW, is really playing dirty, though. The
>
>kill fee on my article isn't a big deal, but still taking new
>subscriptions is not cool.
>
>Well, I guess I can cancel my own contract there. I was doing an
>article for them, but seems like it won't need to be finished.
>
>
>
> Yes, Alex, that's the one. Personally, I don't think it was a great
> magazine. It never describes the tricks of the trade - just tells you
> to do something. Not so good for a beginner, IMO.
> I have since received an email from the editor. He is no longer
> employed by the publisher & the magazine is definitely out of
> circulation according to him. He provided me information to go after
> my kill fee. The publisher, EGW, is really playing dirty, though. The
> kill fee on my article isn't a big deal, but still taking new
> subscriptions is not cool.
> Jim
>
That is all pretty sad then. A mag that is low on genuine technique under a
dirty money grubbing company... thanks for the tip on not to subscribe.
--
Alex
cravdraa_at-yahoo_dot-com
not my site: http://www.e-sword.net/
Leon wrote:
>
> "Jim" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>> They cancelled a contract with me saying they're going out of business,
>> but their web site doesn't look like it. They're still accepting new
>> subscriptions, too. Beware & don't renew. I've seen other magazines go
>> out of business & rarely received my money back. Usually they just
>> disappear & the amount is too small to make it worth going after.
>>
>
> Better if possible to buy subscriptions through a subscription company
> that
> offers other choices. I had that happen to me with Windows magazine.
> Dial America made it good by either a pro-rated refund or a longer
> subscription to another magazine.
Funny, that is who called me last night wanting me to re-subscribe to
Weekend Woodcraft even though its been well over a year since I let my
subscription expire.
"Eugene Nine" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Funny, that is who called me last night wanting me to re-subscribe to
> Weekend Woodcraft even though its been well over a year since I let my
> subscription expire.
So I guess they were trying to get you to re-up.
I deal with Dial America through the internet. Since using this method I do
not recall them calling me.
"Jim" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> They cancelled a contract with me saying they're going out of business,
> but their web site doesn't look like it. They're still accepting new
> subscriptions, too. Beware & don't renew. I've seen other magazines go
> out of business & rarely received my money back. Usually they just
> disappear & the amount is too small to make it worth going after.
>
Better if possible to buy subscriptions through a subscription company that
offers other choices. I had that happen to me with Windows magazine. Dial
America made it good by either a pro-rated refund or a longer subscription
to another magazine.
"John DeBoo" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> If it was not a 'great' rag, how come you were writing an article for
> them? Just curious, not trying to start a flame war.
> John
How does a rag become great? Hiring great writers.
> They cancelled a contract with me saying they're going out of business,
> but their web site doesn't look like it. They're still accepting new
> subscriptions, too. Beware & don't renew. I've seen other magazines go
> out of business & rarely received my money back. Usually they just
> disappear & the amount is too small to make it worth going after.
>
Would that happen to be this website? http://www.weekendwoodcrafts.com/
looks like the perfect mag for a beginner.
--
Alex
cravdraa_at-yahoo_dot-com
not my site: http://www.e-sword.net/
Charlie Self wrote:
>John DeBoo responds:
>
>If it was not a 'great' rag, how come you were writing an article for
>them? Just curious, not trying to start a flame war.
>
>Since that wasn't my expressed opinion, why ask me that question?
>
Ahh, I see the error. You don't have any special characters
automatically inserted to distinguish your text from someone elses
'quote', nor your name so it looked like it was all yours. sorry...
John