I stopped my subscription to Renaissance Magazine

[knarlyknot]

I, too, have often felt bad for the writers whose work is ripped apart by the nitpicking readers but then I remember that the publishers have ultimate control over what is printed so I think maybe they're just masochists.

I enjoy the wedding issues but I agree that once a year may be overkill.

I love the idea of more in depth reporting from various faires.  You should voice your opinions to those in charge of the magazine, you might just be able to shape the future of it.

[DeadBishop]

They've actually refused my offers of photos for different faires several times because they said "they had a photographer submitting images for that faire already".  I've yet to see the photos that were apparently submitted before my offers.

[Obadiah Jib]

Glad I'm not alone on this one.  I'm even happier to know that we have other publications to choose from.  Perhaps they will address our passion better.

[groomporter]

Bottom line though is, it is the major publication for our industry, so for all its faults...

[Emerald Shaunassey]

Bottom line though is, it is the major publication for our industry, so for all its faults...

Ya know, it is to bad that the average Rennie (myself included) doesn't have the disposable income (or time) to start up a competitive national magazine for our industry.  Might just be the thing that's needed to shake things up at Ren Mag.  Competition is good for many industries.

[SirBlackFox]

Competition is good for many industries.

Well spoke luv. . .well spoke.

[Marietta Graziella]

I have had occasion to peruse many issues of this mag but have never purchased them.  I find them over filled with ads (for the price, there shouldn't be that many) and the content too repetitive. 

The wedding issue... yikes!  Again, you're paying how much for the magazine to begin with then an entire issue is completely useless to you...  Not good value for the price.  Why not a wedding "section" every couple of issues.  An insert, as has been suggested.

The whole thing just seems like a "Good ol' boys club" as far as published articles, photos, etc.   I would think the best view of a faire would come from someone who loves it and knows it well, not a visitor who only gets the surface image and couldn't possibly find all the charms to share and entice newcomers.

Ren Mag...?  Are you listening?!?

[groomporter]

Can't blame them too much for the number of ad. There general rule I've heard is that most periodicals need to be around about 1/2 advertising to be able to pay the bills.

[SirBlackFox]

I try to keep advertisements to 40% in The Pyrates Way.  Right now, the postage to mail to subscribers is starting to catch up with the entire printing cost of the magazine. . . . all the costs involved are going up but I've been able to balance the books and not raise prices to either advertisers or subscribers through 2009.

I also try to coax the advertisers to come up with cool graphics and eye-popping visuals for their ads. . it eases the reader's pain! LOL

[Obadiah Jib]

How about other suggestions that would "Help" Renaissance Magazine?  Do you have ideas?

I'd keep the history article but perhaps not so many per issue.  Add in things for Festies such a Faire reviews, dos and don't, and interviews with performers/ crafters/ and attendees.

Oh and I'd kill that weak comedic section where they take historical art and superimpose celebs on top with bad puns.  That monthly feature just stank!

[SirBlackFox]

Ya know, it is to bad that the average Rennie (myself included) doesn't have the disposable income (or time) to start up a competitive national magazine for our industry.  Might just be the thing that's needed to shake things up at Ren Mag.  Competition is good for many industries.

Would a full color magazine with full features about different faires including prices, types of food and drink, and detailed info on where to stay in the area, what to expect, etc. . . be a good idea?  What if it included a part just for serious reenactors. . . and a vendor's area. . .and a garb-making area. . . and a feature on some interesting faire artists that you might not know about?  If it all came in a nice package every quarter for only about $6 an issue. . .would you be interested?

http://www.fairemagazine.com

Yes, I'm seriously thinking about such a project. . . if there's enough support from both renfaire enthusiasts and advertisers.

[renfairephotog]

I'm sure there's interest form the renfaire enthusiasts. I don't know about advertisers. You have experience with that. And you have publication experience, I think thats something that  one of the previous attempts of another faire magazine lacked.

[Athena]

Oh and I'd kill that weak comedic section where they take historical art and superimpose celebs on top with bad puns.  That monthly feature just stank!

I agree! Totally lame and not funny at all, IMO.

[Emerald Shaunassey]

Ya know, it is to bad that the average Rennie (myself included) doesn't have the disposable income (or time) to start up a competitive national magazine for our industry.  Might just be the thing that's needed to shake things up at Ren Mag.  Competition is good for many industries.

Would a full color magazine with full features about different faires including prices, types of food and drink, and detailed info on where to stay in the area, what to expect, etc. . . be a good idea?  What if it included a part just for serious reenactors. . . and a vendor's area. . .and a garb-making area. . . and a feature on some interesting faire artists that you might not know about?  If it all came in a nice package every quarter for only about $6 an issue. . .would you be interested?

http://www.fairemagazine.com

Yes, I'm seriously thinking about such a project. . . if there's enough support from both renfaire enthusiasts and advertisers.

Black Fox darlin',
     You definately have *my* attention!  I'd gladly sign up in heartbeat for a subscription.  And .. I might be persuaded to be a roving photojournalist/writer for faires that I've either worked or attended.

Tell me more, oh great one!

Excitedly yours,
Emerald
... who's off to check out the weblink

[brier patch charlie]

The answer to your question, for me is yes. I just let my subseption laps, last month. I got tired of nothing in there. But I due love the history articles .