Delays for issue #3, January 2006.

[semi]

This issue will be released, but it'll be later than others have been. No projected release date right now. Sorry. But it'll be out there soon.

I have had serious computer troubles, like being without one for a couple weeks, as well as other delays popping up. Several holidays were crammed in there, too. And I have sort of a chaotic life and I have the attention span of a kitten, so things get slowed down or sidetracked sometimes.

But the mag will continue and it'll get bigger and better each time. Especially if people submit articles, art, and poetry for publication and questions for the advice columns. So submit! Send me whatever you want to, don't be shy. Send to.....

semi@mysticwicks.com

Love, beauty, peace, and a Happy New Year to you all! Thanks for making MWM a success.

[BrigidMoon]

I'm excited about the new issue coming out! :)

[Bix]

It's no problem. I can't wait for the new issue!

[MysticWitch]

I dont mean to be rude, but mw issues should cost $ :whatgives
I think too much effort goes into it to be free. :fpoke:

[Ben Gruagach]

I dont mean to be rude, but mw issues should cost $ :whatgives
I think too much effort goes into it to be free. :fpoke:

Actually, to get the everything-in-a-single-pdf file version of the MysticWicks magazine you do have to pay a subscription fee. Otherwise you can just get the articles one at a time on the magazine's website.

There is some talk that the magazine might go to a print format at some point as well. But for now it's electronic only, by subscription (but free if you just want to read the articles separately.)

This page (http://mwm.mysticwicks.com/utilities/subscriptions.php) has the details about subscriptions.

The magazine's webpage is http://mwm.mysticwicks.com

(I've been writing a book review column for the magazine. Lots of great articles, stories, poems, etc. in the magazine!)

[semi]

MysticWitch, it does take a lot of effort, but it's surprisingly easy at the same time, at least for me. I think it's easy because I love doing it. It's fun. Sort of. Sometimes. In between the stress. And if you had to pay for the mag, then the staff could demand a salary from mol, and I'd personally expect no less than a 6-figure salary, so things would get messy. Especially when I'd ask for retroactive pay. So for now, it's a labor of love.

Issue #3 is heading into the final stretch, approaching the finish line, and will be released soon. #4 will follow shortly after that, in the first week of February.

Thank you!

[Morr]

I dont mean to be rude, but mw issues should cost $ :whatgives
I think too much effort goes into it to be free. :fpoke:


Well, if you INSISTE on paying us...

;)

[Xentor]

Well, if you INSISTE on paying us...

;)

Become a contributor!
http://www.mysticwicks.com/payments.php

[Ben Gruagach]

Become a contributor!
http://www.mysticwicks.com/payments.php

By the way, wouldn't it make more sense to call the people who give money to support MysticWicks a "supporter" or something like that rather than a "contributor"? In the context of the magazine, a contributor is a person who has submitted text or graphics to be considered for publication.

It's a bit confusing when the terms get used interchangeably like that. (When I first saw the bit about "become a contributor" my first thought was that those of us who write for the magazine were being asked to also send money. Of course that's not what it's about, but it was my first impression.)

[Xentor]

By the way, wouldn't it make more sense to call the people who give money to support MysticWicks a "supporter" or something like that rather than a "contributor"? In the context of the magazine, a contributor is a person who has submitted text or graphics to be considered for publication.

It's a bit confusing when the terms get used interchangeably like that. (When I first saw the bit about "become a contributor" my first thought was that those of us who write for the magazine were being asked to also send money. Of course that's not what it's about, but it was my first impression.)

Hmm. I was using "contributor" to get rid of the confusion with MW thread subscribers (since that's free).

Perhaps "supporter" is better. I made a thread in the Site Room. I'll copy and paste your post into that thread too.

[Ben Gruagach]

Hmm. I was using "contributor" to get rid of the confusion with MW thread subscribers (since that's free).

Perhaps "supporter" is better. I made a thread in the Site Room. I'll copy and paste your post into that thread too.

If it helps, you might want to mention that people who get their articles published in other magazines often get "contributor's copies" of the magazine mailed to them. For example, each time I have an article published in Circle Magazine, the editors mail me copies of the magazine in question so I don't have to go to a store and buy a copy of the magazine with my own article in it. It's their way of compensating people who are published in the magazine since they don't pay for the articles.

[mol]

...then the staff could demand a salary from mol, and I'd personally expect no less than a 6-figure salary, so things would get messy. Especially when I'd ask for retroactive pay. So for now, it's a labor of love.

I will love it when I am able to do this!

No retro. Nice try. =)

[mol]

So, contributor?

*sigh* Okay..

[misty]

If it helps, you might want to mention that people who get their articles published in other magazines often get "contributor's copies" of the magazine mailed to them. For example, each time I have an article published in Circle Magazine, the editors mail me copies of the magazine in question so I don't have to go to a store and buy a copy of the magazine with my own article in it. It's their way of compensating people who are published in the magazine since they don't pay for the articles.

I think that's a great idea, Ben. Once this thing is being printed, I would love to receive a copy. As for now, I have been printing it out on my printer :).

[BrigidMoon]

Just wondering where we need the help in getting this third issue out? If you need me to help with anything please let me know! :)

:hahugh: :hahugh: :hahugh: :hahugh: :hahugh: :hahugh:

[semi]

I could use a brain replacement. One that has an attention span built in, please. And maybe some sort of organizational capacity. Perhaps some memory. Other than that, I think we're ok. We're getting there. Slowly. Thank you for the offer.

[Faeawyn]

If you need help with proof reading or anything Semi...just let me know :)

[mol]

I think that's a great idea, Ben. Once this thing is being printed, I would love to receive a copy. As for now, I have been printing it out on my printer :).
Ok...I am researching a way that we might be able to offer contributors actual hardcopies of the magazine delivered to your doorstep. I will probably have to reserve it for, at least, the Level 3 or above subscriptions, though. Based on costs.

Anyway, I am certainly not done researching and this is the first I have said of it to the community. I haven't even told Semi. I wanted to spring it as a surprise.

I suck at surprises.

[Faeawyn]

Ok...I am researching a way that we might be able to offer contributors actual hardcopies of the magazine delivered to your doorstep. I will probably have to reserve it for, at least, the Level 3 or above subscriptions, though. Based on costs.

Anyway, I am certainly not done researching and this is the first I have said of it to the community. I haven't even told Semi. I wanted to spring it as a surprise.

I suck at surprises.
Dude....you totally suck at surprises :lol:

[mol]

Dude....you totally suck at surprises :lol:
See!

[misty]

Ok...I am researching a way that we might be able to offer contributors actual hardcopies of the magazine delivered to your doorstep. I will probably have to reserve it for, at least, the Level 3 or above subscriptions, though. Based on costs.

Anyway, I am certainly not done researching and this is the first I have said of it to the community. I haven't even told Semi. I wanted to spring it as a surprise.

I suck at surprises.


That's a good idea. But would the magazine staff be included in that?

[Morr]

That's a good idea. But would the magazine staff be included in that?

*flitters eye lashes at mol*

Yeah, would the magazine staff be included in that?

[BrigidMoon]

I'm all up for paying for that. Besides, it would be so cool to be a part of a work - a hard copy piece of work with all these awesome people! We have a great staff :)

[Faeawyn]

What about doing what other magazine publications do and getting paid advertisers....that would pay for the printing wouldn't it? We could contact the advertisers in some other pagan publications and see if they would be interested in advertising in our magazine??

[Ben Gruagach]

What about doing what other magazine publications do and getting paid advertisers....that would pay for the printing wouldn't it? We could contact the advertisers in some other pagan publications and see if they would be interested in advertising in our magazine??

Not to throw a monkeywrench in things but we should also be aware that when we start to tread into things like selling advertising or charging subscription rates that bring in more money than the bare minimum to cover production costs we start to get into the magazine being a commercial enterprise rather than a nonprofit volunteer thing. We could still get away with contributors (writers, artists) having things published for no monetary compensation -- after all, there are lots of other commercial magazines that don't pay their contributors either. But being a commercial magazine might change some things regarding rights and permissions we'd have to get to use artwork, photos, etc. that we find on the internet or in other publications. Often artists request a bit more than just having credit given for their work when it's reproduced in a commercial magazine.

Personally I'd push the print-on-demand method as a good way to test the waters with a print version of the magazine regardless if it's commercial or not-for-profit. Less money required up front, and we don't end up with piles of unsold magazines at the end. Lulu.com and CafePress.com both do print-on-demand without upfront fees -- only the people who buy the end product pay money. Lulu.com does both full-colour and black and white contents (both with full colour covers) and Cafepress.com currently does only black and white content with full colour covers although they are apparently planning to provide full colour content at some point in the future.

Something to think about anyways.

[Faeawyn]

I know Semi was looking for inhouse photographers....would that solve the issue of using other artist work?
And if we got subscriptions up front...then we would know how many magazines to have printed right?
I have absolute NO knowledge on this subject, so I'm just throwing stuff out there.
Ben...you probably know 10x's more than I do, so if I come across as ignorant on the subject, just disregard me :lol:

[djmixon]

Any time frame yet?


Eager Readers want to know.....

[fay]

Ok...I am researching a way that we might be able to offer contributors actual hardcopies of the magazine delivered to your doorstep. I will probably have to reserve it for, at least, the Level 3 or above subscriptions, though. Based on costs.

Anyway, I am certainly not done researching and this is the first I have said of it to the community. I haven't even told Semi. I wanted to spring it as a surprise.

I suck at surprises.
See now I would up my subscription if it meant that I got an actual copy of the mag. I'd find a way to work around it :).

[semi]

Faeawyn, I have the photographers.

Donna, soon. So.....close......almost there..........

Real life has consumed most of my time. When I'm here, it's usually just to numb my brain and I don't get much work done. Trying to work it out. #3 will be here soon and #4 shortly behind that.

[elfmage]

*poke* Any word on the 3rd issue? I love the MWM, can't wait for the next edition, it's nice to read another quality Pagan publication!

[Morr]

its getting there ;)

[semi]

It's me who's holding it back. Real life is keeping me very busy and the stress makes it hard to get much work done on the mag. Then when I get online here, I just vegetate. I apologize. And it really will be released soon, probably within the next few days. We should be back on track for the March issue. I should say I'll be back on track. Everyone else on the staff has been on track and waiting for me.

So thanks to everyone, readers and staff, for your patience.

[Nighthawk]

Hang in there, buddy...all in good time.

[elfmage]

It's me who's holding it back. Real life is keeping me very busy and the stress makes it hard to get much work done on the mag. Then when I get online here, I just vegetate. I apologize. And it really will be released soon, probably within the next few days. We should be back on track for the March issue. I should say I'll be back on track. Everyone else on the staff has been on track and waiting for me.

So thanks to everyone, readers and staff, for your patience.

:hugz: But you do a great job. We'll keep. ;)

Damn that real life... _inabox_

[AlleyCat]

meow?

[Xentor]

We're working on it!

[djmixon]

So, now that it is almost March, will there be a February issue? Will all three come out at the same time?

What is needed? Do you need more contributors?

If I can be of assistance, I would gladly do so.

[Xentor]

We're in the process of publishing issue #3. A few technicalities to work out, and then we're ready to go.

Thank you for offering your services! I'm sure the staff will contact you when needed.

[jcldragon]

We're in the process of publishing issue #3. A few technicalities to work out, and then we're ready to go.

Thank you for offering your services! I'm sure the staff will contact you when needed.By staff, do you mean Zen Stick?

[Xentor]

:lol:

No, there actually is a group of people working on the magazine on a regular basis.

I'm merely the web master. ;)

[elfmage]

*bump*

(Yeah, I know, patience is a virtue. I never claim to be virtuous!)

[arianrhods_daughter]

*bump*

(Yeah, I know, patience is a virtue. I never claim to be virtuous!)

lol don't worry I know how you feel! :D

[CzechWoods]

it will come. its started too fast imo, and this slowing down is a natural thing. it will come (back) to life and so the patience is well asked for

[djmixon]

it will come. its started too fast imo, and this slowing down is a natural thing. it will come (back) to life and so the patience is well asked for

I wondered from the start if it should not be a quarterly issue rather than a monthly one. Everyone here is so busy with RL that I cannot imagine they would all have time for a monthly addition to thier schedules...

Just a thought

[Phoenix Blue]

Not to throw a monkeywrench in things but we should also be aware that when we start to tread into things like selling advertising or charging subscription rates that bring in more money than the bare minimum to cover production costs we start to get into the magazine being a commercial enterprise rather than a nonprofit volunteer thing. We could still get away with contributors (writers, artists) having things published for no monetary compensation -- after all, there are lots of other commercial magazines that don't pay their contributors either.
Most military installations in the States contract their newspaper printing through civilian enterprises. The civilian company takes care of all the advertising and keeps all the revenue thereof. The military public affairs office produces the "content"--pictures, text, etc.--to the publisher on a given deadline.

I think the toughest part of having something like that work with the MW newsletter would be finding advertising. Local companies wouldn't put ads in a paper that's not going to be distributed in their area. You'd have to find some online advertisers willing to pony up.

[Xentor]

I wondered from the start if it should not be a quarterly issue rather than a monthly one. Everyone here is so busy with RL that I cannot imagine they would all have time for a monthly addition to thier schedules...

Just a thought

Yup. When we start looking at commercial activities like advertisements, we need to have a rigid schedule. How are we going to have contracts with companies when we can't even announce the next publishing date?

[Phoenix Blue]

Yup. When we start looking at commercial activities like advertisements, we need to have a rigid schedule. How are we going to have contracts with companies when we can't even announce the next publishing date?
Well, for that matter, how can you force a contributor to stick with a deadline if you're not paying him? :)

[Ben Gruagach]

Well, for that matter, how can you force a contributor to stick with a deadline if you're not paying him? :)

Lots of volunteer publications exist. Circle magazine (put out by Circle Sanctuary) is an example of a Pagan one which has been running for years which does not pay contributors. Personally, I help write and produce a Pagan newsletter that comes out eight times a year -- and we've been doing it for over two years (or is it three?) now, all for free.

Deadlines certainly help though for most contributors. But lots of contributors do submit stuff for free.

[Windigo]

I edited the campus paper over in my end of town up until about a week ago when class ended. If you need any help with anything I'm up for it.

[djmixon]

Well, the main reason I subscribed was to get the pdf file intact... so this is kind of beginning to get on my nerves... can we get an estimate at least?

[Xentor]

Do understand that this project is one of volunteers. We've had to redo it since we surpassed our own deadline. I've seen the new final layouts. It's looking good so far. If this keeps up, the new magazine should be out within 2 weeks. I can't promise anything though, since I'm merely the tech guy, not the manager.

[Morr]

Well, the main reason I subscribed was to get the pdf file intact... so this is kind of beginning to get on my nerves... can we get an estimate at least?


It takes time.

And as Xentor said, the magazine is based on volenteers. Life takes over sometimes. Things get delayed. There are technical issues that arise sometimes. etc.

Yes, we have been delayed very long with this specific issue. Several things happened one after the other that were unexpected. Its not anyone's fault.

We are working on it. Its almost done. Just a little while longer.

[djmixon]

I understand, but you have to admit... this has been going on for a really long time...

With everyone getting hitched or planning to get hitched (congrats, btw, Morr and semi) I know those bumps in the road were there.

I am just really anxious to get this copy and the rest.

[semi]

I'm in charge of text and the mag as a whole. JackieD is in charge of graphics. We both have a lot going on in real life. The people who write the articles write and submit and they're done. I edit them and sometimes I don't have the time, energy, or concentration to do that. Jackie applies graphics when she can. She works full-time and she's in a busy season right now and will be for a few months. I don't work full-time because my brain isn't built to be able to handle doing the same thing every day so I have to do many different things to pay the bills. Between her off-line activity and my off-line activity as well as my general state of chaos, it takes awhile to get things together. Then when we do finally get things together there is often a technical problem.

This a new project for everyone involved. We're still working out the bugs. We will be doing that for quite some time, if not forever trying to make it better. And it is getting better. I'm adding more staff members to decrease Jackie's workload and possibly my own. I'm adding more regular writers and regular features. MWM will continue to grow and continue to become better, but we ask that you have patience while we're trying to do these things. We focus on our lives first, then things like this magazine. We will continue to work on it and continue to do our best and continue to make it better every time.

This current issue will be released in a few days. The last of the work is almost done. Then we upload it. The next issue has already begun being put together so there won't be so long of a wait for the next one. I'm aiming at returning to a monthly schedule, but we'll see how that works out. Right now, life takes precedence, then the magazine.

I apologize to everyone for delays. It is my responsibilty, my fault. Crap happens. I apologize.

[djmixon]

:hugz: semi :hugz:

I wasn't really griping at you... just wanting to see what you guys have put together.

I know life comes first... you have had your plate full lately... and will shortly be fuller than you imagine

So, why not go for a quarterly mag? It will be easier on everyone...

[Xentor]

Nearly there. Last tests being executed.

[Phoenix Blue]

S'all good, man.

What format is the newsletter released in?

[Xentor]

Just like the other issues, in PDF. Each article will have its own file, for ease on bandwidth. A single-file PDF will be made available to paying MW subscribers.

[Xentor]

Issue #3, Volume 1, April 2006 is released!

http://mwm.mysticwicks.com/