magazines

Even though I've never read Blender, much less paid for 12 monthly issues, I am now a subscriber. I'm a bit at a loss how this happened. A few possible scenarios:

1. A friend or family member thought this would make a great gift. The problem with that scenario is my friends and family members are perpetually broke
2. My wife decided there aren't enough photos of scantily clad 19 year old starlets around the house
3. Some intern came across my byline somewhere online and somehow mistook me for a person of tastemaking influence
4. Bender decided to trump Paste's pay-what-you-want deal and are now signing up random people for subscriptions

I don't know how many people this will relate to, but for any mid-size magazine publishers who deal with a distributor called RetailVision, this is some infuriating news.

RV is the exclusive distributor to stores that include FYE, Strawberries, Coconuts, Wherehouse Music, and all other chains owned by Tranworld Media. They also supply many independent retailers across the US through their indie media program.

I have experimented with their programs utilizing both their chain and indie store distribution. Each chainstore takes $2 per issue, and each indie store takes a one-time $15 setup fee (for "purchasing a pocket" for each new title) in addition to their percentage.

and you will (still) know indie publishing by the trail of dead, BUT... apparently arthur magazine is back. in the words of editor/owner jay babcock:

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Sweethearts of the rodeo,

Arthur has been recalled to life.

I bought Laris's 50 percent interest in the magazine thanks to the efforts of family and friends.

Now I own 100% and am moving forward with all Arthur activities as quickly as possible.

Sorry for the interruption in service.

To celebrate the occasion, we've posted the whole ALAN MOORE ON PORNOGRAPHY piece from Arthur Magazine V1 N25 online on our Magpie blog.