Hello!
I am thinking about starting a Web Zine. Any advice from those of you who have?
Thanks.
Lisa
I am thinking about starting a Web Zine. Any advice from those of you who have?
Thanks.
Lisa
Web Zine Advice Sought
- Thread starter Lisa R
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Yeah, don't do it unless you can pay your contributors a standard rate ($0.06 per word for SF, for example) for the genre.
Don't do it unless you have a HUGE amount of time to spend reading slush and editing what you decide to accept.
Don't do it without offering your contributors an SFWA-approved contract prior to print which spells out what is expected of them after acceptance.
Don't do it unless you have a HUGE amount of money to spend on promotion and marketing.
Don't do it unless you have a PROFESSIONAL willing to act as editor for the 'zine.
In short, Don't do it. Believe me, I've been there and made the same mistakes you might be about to.
"How do you make a small fortune in publishing? Start with a large fortune."
Don't do it unless you have a HUGE amount of time to spend reading slush and editing what you decide to accept.
Don't do it without offering your contributors an SFWA-approved contract prior to print which spells out what is expected of them after acceptance.
Don't do it unless you have a HUGE amount of money to spend on promotion and marketing.
Don't do it unless you have a PROFESSIONAL willing to act as editor for the 'zine.
In short, Don't do it. Believe me, I've been there and made the same mistakes you might be about to.
"How do you make a small fortune in publishing? Start with a large fortune."
The editor of Electric Velocipede ran a blog series about starting a magazine. He's more angled towards print, but much of the advice carries over.
Full List:
http://blog.electricvelocipede.com/search/label/Zine Series
(Scroll down to the bottom for part one)
Full List:
http://blog.electricvelocipede.com/search/label/Zine Series
(Scroll down to the bottom for part one)
Is that Jetse De Vries on the right (in the pic at the top of the site you linked to)?
In the lolcat-style snuggle picture? Yep, I believe it is (though I only know that because of the comments, not because I'd have any chance of recognising the guy).
First off, what do you want to accomplish with this 'zine? Do you want to make a profit? Look at what FOTSGreg said. Do you want to just have fun? In that case, look around at the many, many token-paying zines out there. Pay special attention to the ones that have been running for years. See what they're doing.
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Hi Lisa,
I'm coming in on this a little late but here goes:
You'll want to have a contract prepared and a realistic publishing schedule worked out--one you know you'll be able to keep to no matter what junk life throws your way. Also, quarterly zines are much easier to keep up with then, say, something that comes out monthly. And it's a good idea not to go it alone. Having another set of hands to help with the editing, website upkeep, and submissions can be a life saver if you get sick, have a family crises, etc. Basically, just be very clear with your contributors about what they can expect from you and what you expect from them.
One other thing: keep the website simple, something you can easily update. There are reasonably priced website building kits out there (around $50) with templates that usually look considerably tidier than when people try to build there own sites from scratch (unless you happen to be a web designer). The web.com site builder is a decent one and easy to figure out, even for a techno idiot like me.
I'm coming in on this a little late but here goes:
You'll want to have a contract prepared and a realistic publishing schedule worked out--one you know you'll be able to keep to no matter what junk life throws your way. Also, quarterly zines are much easier to keep up with then, say, something that comes out monthly. And it's a good idea not to go it alone. Having another set of hands to help with the editing, website upkeep, and submissions can be a life saver if you get sick, have a family crises, etc. Basically, just be very clear with your contributors about what they can expect from you and what you expect from them.
One other thing: keep the website simple, something you can easily update. There are reasonably priced website building kits out there (around $50) with templates that usually look considerably tidier than when people try to build there own sites from scratch (unless you happen to be a web designer). The web.com site builder is a decent one and easy to figure out, even for a techno idiot like me.
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