Writers are always looking for two things: a place to sell their work and a source of fresh reading material. Within the last few months, the pool for both has become a little drier.
First, it was Electric Velocipede that published its final issue. This is from the Electric Velocipede blog:
Issue 27 Editorial
A Remembrance of the Future
November 18, 2013
by JohnK
As many of you already know, issue #27 is going to be the final issue of Electric Velocipede. After a lot of thought—and more stress than I need—I’ve decided it’s time to cease publication.
Yesterday, I saw that Innsmouth Magazine will also cease publication. This is from their blog:
Goodbye Innsmouth Magazine
by IFP
January 14, 2014
Well, it had to happen sometime. Innsmouth Magazine says a fond farewell with its final issue, number 15, this spring. We’ve had fun putting together this little zine, but don’t make enough sales to keep it afloat. So, it must go. More details about the final issue later on.
In both cases, the funds coming in from sales didn't cover what was need to break even, let alone make any profit. That meant that the editors were putting their own cash and time into the magazine with little to show for it other than a busy schedule trying to get the stories out.
One thing that this makes clear - if we want these small publishers to survive, the authors and readers have to spread the word about them. Not just to promote our own work, but to get the word out in general about a publisher or a magazine. Perhaps readers can't expect so much for free. Many of the magazines make back issues free and authors often make their books available for free. Sometimes this is good, but we have to remember that for many this is more than a hobby and that they have a life and family, too, even if it isn't apparent.
The point is that we all (readers and authors) have to do our part if we want these formats to survive, especially those that deal in horror fiction and other genres that aren't the most popular. That might mean spreading the word or putting your money down to buy an issue of a magazine, or even a back issue, or another author's book that sounds interesting.
Anyway, that's all for now, and thanks for listening! I'll let you get back to reading that story now...
© 2012-2013 K. R. Smith All rights reserved
I suppose it's inevitable. But is it, really? Must it happen, this slow disappearance of print literature?
ReplyDeleteIt makes me sad.
I know that more of the publishers are going electronic, but when the entire publisher disappears you're really out of luck. Some are just doing anthologies, but even they are a hard sell (especially in the horror genre). Let's hope a few can be supported and are able to flourish!
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