Good afternoon, all. I hope everyone's enjoying the Memorial Day holiday. It's
been too long since my last post and I owe you an update on the status of the
next issue of the 1:64 Modeling Guide magazine.
The issue itself (Volume 11, #4) is essentially complete, except that I have to
touch base with a couple of advertisers and do some final editing. It has taken
longer than I planned, and for that I apologize.
The last issue (Volume 11, #3), called "Fall, 2010", actually came out in
February of this year. Volume 11, #4 will be called "Spring, 2011." That means
that there will not be a "Winter, 2011" issue, per se (doesn't make much sense
to call the next one "Winter" with summer just around the bend, does it?). Do
not worry! Your subscription is based on the Volume and Issue number. No one
will lose any issues from their subscription.
I want to address several topics. Since I purchased the magazine from the
"prior owner" nearly 3 years ago, I have been wrestling with three issues:
increasing the number of subscribers, increasing advertising revenue and
establish and maintain a consistent publishing schedule. Each is a challenge
and consumes a lot of time. As of right now, I'd have to say that I've been the
most successful at increasing the number of subscribers, but it's literally 3
steps forward and 2 steps back. The advertising revenue is far short of all
projections. Lack of advertising revenue and delays in receiving renewal
payments is the primary cause for delays in publishing (we're on a pay as you
go basis here, folks).
Speaking of payment, some have complained about the automatic billing and
subscription renewal via PayPal. PayPal informs the buyer of the auto-renewal
at the time of purchase. Online subscriptions are done this way as a
convenience for me (I "eat" the PayPal fees), so I spend that much less time
printing and sending renewal notices, reminder renewal notices and reminder of
reminder of renewal notices and the costs associated with that, and it helps
smooth out cash flow. That said, I will, upon request (off-list, please),
cancel your online subscription send your renewal invoice by mail. For new
subscribers, there will
be a one-time auto-renewal on your anniversary date. Thereafter, renewals will
be via USPS.
As I've mentioned before, I am also developing a new product line of on-line
only articles. The first one is a freebie available on the Website
(www.1-64ModelingGuide.com). These will be a combination of new articles and
re-issues of past articles. This is also consuming a chunk of time, but I think
(hope) it will provide another revenue stream and also be a prelude to on-line
publishing of the magazine.
Finally, please allow me to vent just a little. It's been nearly 3 years since
I bought the magazine. I'm sick and tired of hearing about the "prior owner."
Here's a story: There's a guy at my model railroad club who is still PO'd at
Conrail because they wouldn't hire him as a trainmaster--in 1988!!! The point?
Time to move on. Is the scale community going to support its magazine, or
isn't it?
Hope to have the cover and preview for the next issue on the Website later
today or tomorrow. Please contact me off-list if you have any questions
related to your subscription. Thank you.
Bob Nalbone
Editor & Publisher
1:64 Modeling Guide Magazine
www.1-64ModelingGuide.com
------------------------------------
Yahoo! Groups Links
<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/S-Scale/
<*> Your email settings:
Individual Email | Traditional
<*> To change settings online go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/S-Scale/join
(Yahoo! ID required)
<*> To change settings via email:
[email protected]
[email protected]
<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
[email protected]
<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
