Publishing a wargaming newsletter is probably something that a fair number of wargamers have considered from time to time. The smallness of the hobby probably attracts this type of activity (Not mention ocassional bouts of madness). In the last several years there appears to have been an increase in the number of such publications. Most individuals, myself included, enter into putting out a newsletter without giving the subject much thought.
I thought it would be of interest to subscribers and those individuals publishing newsletters/magazines, if an article was written concerning some specifics of conducting such an effort. I don't believe that anyone initiates a wargaming publication with the goal of making money at it. If so, they are soon educated. Our hobby appears to be too small in numbers and unwilling to support more than one major professional publication at a time for anyone to consider it as a money-making possibility. It usually develops, I feel because someone wishes to increase interest in a certain period; increase area interest; increase area communication; satisfy an urge to write; or just generally enjoys the hobby.
In an attempt to provide information about this type of thing, I devised a survey and mailed it out to about a dozen individuals either currently publishing or who had previously done so. To my surprise, all of them except one responded. Listed below are the participants, survey questions, and -esoonses:
- George Phillies -- STRATEGIST
Dick Bryant -- The "old" COURIER
Lynn Bodin -- SAVAGE AND SOLDIER
Bill Protz -- THE SEVEN YEARS WAR ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER
Wally Simon -- PW REVIEW
Pat Condray -- THE ARMCHAIR GENERAL
Greg Novak -- THE VEDETTE
Gary Comardo -- ARDOBERG ENQUIRER
Terry Gore/Dave Armer -- SAGA
Edi Birsan -- SAUVE QUI PELT!
Hal Thinglum -- MIDWEST WARGAMER'S ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER
1) How long have you published your newsletter? George: Since 1973. Dick: Seven years. Lynn: Since 1977; it was begun in 1965 by Doug Johnson in St. Louis. When he left for Britain in 75, his fellow gamer, Ian Cohen kept it up for two years, then Doug offered it to me as he was settling in Britain and Ian could not handle it any more. Bill: Since June, 1982. Wall : Ten years. Pat: 1967-1971. Greg: Since August of 19. Gary: Two years. Terry Dave: One issue. Edi: Three years. Mat: Since September, 1982.
2) How frequently was/is it published? George: Monthly with some special issues. Dick: Six to eight times per year. Lynn: Quarterly. Bill: Generally twice a year. Wally: Monthly. Pat: Intermittently. Greg: Monthly. Gary: Three times a year. Terry/Dave: Six times per year. Edi: Monthly. Hal: Bimonthly.
3) Briefly describe the purpose and intended audience: George: Club newsletter to people in all branches of gaming. Dick: Disseminate information for historical miniatures gamers. Lynn: S&S is a magazine devoted to the battles, uniforms and wargames of the "great Colonial Era", roughly 1870-1914. All subjects deemed related to the Era are covered. Some articles which have been of Colonial interest (but not within the previously mentioned chronological time span) have also appeared. Bill: To establish a society to study and share common interests relating to the SYW such as historical information, wargame ideas and a loosely structured method via a membership directory and annual meets for those who wish to, to get to know and meet others also interested in the SYW. The intended audience is the wargame community and others who may have an interest. Wally: The purpose is to exchange information on rules systems. The intended audience in theory, is a small group willing to share. In practice, however, the majority of subscribers do not participate. Pat: To provide a forum for other guys that play with toy soldiers. Greg: To serve as a house newsletter of the Central Illinois Tabletop Warriors (CITW) It's primary purpose is to send out information on the games, weekends and other info of need for our membership. Everything after that point is space filled for the fun of it. The audience is those people in central Illinois interested in playing miniature games. Gary: The original purpose was to torment my opponent during an 18th Century campaign. The current purpose is to entertain those members of the SYW Association engaged in the CHARGE PROJECT. Dave: To get a dialogue going, exchange views and a forum for rules discussio s, etc, Edi: Napoleonics -- EMPIRE III rule development, local news, etc. Hal: To increase interest in wargaming with historical miniatures.
4) What was/is your motivation for publishing? George: Core activity of national club. Dick: Take up void left by TABLE TOP TALK. Lynn: S&S is truly a "labor of love." Wish I could say I was in it for the money, but my tax returns prove me wrong. I feel that I offer important info which may not be found in any other publication ... and I'm motivated to provide it to my readers, profit or not. Bill: My personal motive is to give something to the hobby and to also benefit from the ideas of question 3. Wally: Share ideas on rules & procedures. Pat:Fun, communication with other gamers and a shot at making it pay. Greg: The VEDETTE started life as part of the CITW -- which was an attempt by three of us in the area to try and contact 20 local miniatures players. We succeeded in finding 50+ and use the VEDETTE as a means of getting information out. Gary: I enjoy hearing from readers who find the ENQUIRER entertaining. Terry/Dave: Interest in having a specific newsletter for this period. Edi: Need of a central info place. Kai: It's great to hear from other people who enjoy the hobby and I am motivated by feedback about MWAN.
5) How many people are actually involved in putting your publication out?
Dick: The "old" COURIER was put out by the New England Wargames Club, 6-8 people. Lynn: When I started, I had about 10 members of the Western Washington Wargamers helping me, mostly when it was time to collate, fold and staple. Now I have my printer to do all of thatwork for me so the "staff" is down to myself, my staff artist and impressed labor by my wife and daughter when it comes to envelope stuffing and stamp licking. Bill: I take care of typing, set-up, correspondence, mailings, and general editorial and organizational duties. My wife proof reads everything, bless her, and she also takes care of bookkeeping. Rich Black helps with mailing labels. It would be nice to have other staff positions if I could figure out what they might be. Wally: One. Pat: 2-4 people. Greg: Three- me, myself & I. Not really -- a number of members write for the zine and one fellow, Niel Lasater, helps run it off. I do the typing and set up work cause I enjoy it. Gary: Myself and Mike Covell. Terry/Dave: Two. Edi: One. Halt I am the only person involved in production. Rich Black takes care of conventions, Greg Novak has a regular column, Duane Warnecke brings MWAN to various hobby shops in Chicago, John Bulter provides the labels, and there are a number of regular writers.
6) How did/has your newsletter progress over time as regards content/format, etc?
George: Has doubled & tripled in material with little change in format. Dick: Went from all battle reports to organizational info -- always a general approach. Lynn: S&S has remained pretty stable as regards content & format since I took over in 77. Bill:At first I intended that SYWA be regional in the midwest as a loosely organized & widely separated wargame club that would get together at various times during the year for camraderie and wargames. This lasted about 6-9 months when subs started coming in at the rate of 50 or so every quarter and there became a need to publish a creditable journal with lots of meaty material. Hence, in a year's time, the content and number of pages expanded till it has become sort of like any hobby magazine devoted to providing lots of info on a particular subject, such as in my case, the SYW, SYW wargaming, SYW news and SYWA events. Wally: PW REVIEW has always been -- always will be -- as long as I'm around -- in the 8 1/2 X 11 format. It's easy to read, to handle and stores nicely in a loose leaf binder. Over the years, the content is pretty much the same. I throw out ideas and a couple of guys come back with variations on the theme. Pat: 200-400 subs, 100-200 newstand. Low at the start of every year & back up by end of year. Greg: Started with 8 1z X 11 format with one column on one page and quickly went to a booklet like MWAN save that don't reduce the print (yet). I like the format as it is easy to do & looks nice. Over the last year, a talented artist in the group, Tom Reed, has done us a nice logo, buttons & letterhead. Content varies from good to bad, depending on how the membership of the club is feeling. Any blank spaces are filled up by me. Gary: At first I wrote all the articles and made them up. I now include articles by other people and info pertaining to the CHARGE PROJECT. Terry/Dave: Hopefully it will improve! Edi: From understanding Empire III, we went into our own house rules. Hal :First issue printed professionally and broke me! First year after that MWAN was done in 8I X 11 format on xerox. Then I spent $450, given to me by understanding wife on a swell mimeograph and thought my problems were over. After two years of typing on stencils and staying up all night(s) to run it off and accepting additional job responsibilities, I saw I couldn't continue MWAN with it taking so much time to print so I found a printer who gives me a fair price. Content wise it began as an area newsletter and as Bill found, it has had to be changed due to subs through the country and more contributors.
7) How did you find subscribers when it first started?
Dick: TABLE TOP TALK sub list; word of mouth; taking booths at conventions. Lynn: I was lucky to have a good sub base when I took over. Bill: I mailed a sub form to my local friends in the midwest. Wally: I didn't.. sent to only PW members only. Pat: Had some name lists from older publications & sent a flyer to 700 folks. Greg: Mailed first copies free to people off a COURIER sub list, names remembered dimly in the past,off old convention lists. Gary: Didn't make any special effort, still publish primarily to harrass my campaign opponent. Other readers joined up later. Terry/Dave: Local gamers, direct access from magazines. Edi: Local get-togethers. Hal: Local gamers, names/addresses from other publications, free copies sent out, my Dad.
8) How do you try to maintain current subscribers?
George: Publish good stuff; writing subscribers when their sub runs out. Dick: Send out three notices that sub has expired. Lynn: I hope that it is the content and format of S&S which keeps my subscribers with me. Three have been with S&S since it began 20 years ago. I would guess that at least 1/3 of my present subscribers were subscribers in 77 when I took over. Bill: Maintenence has never been a prublem so long as I continue to produce what I promise & fill a need where none was filled before. Wally: Send them a notice to resubscribe. Pat: Quality of product. Greg: Print info the need -- club news, etc. Again the VEDETTE exists for the CITW, not the other way around. Gary: No special effort in this area. Terry/Dave: Word of mouth & good press. Edi: We don't try, it just happens. Hal: Give subscribers more than their moneys worth, publish on time.
9) How did/do you try to attract new subscribers?
George: Advertising. Dick: Word of mouth; sell to stores; taking booths at cons. Lynn: Word of mouth reviews in other publications. Bill: Send free issues to wargaming publications; word of mouth; and Steve Carpenter of Minifigs was kind enough to mail flyers out to all customers who have an interest in the SYW. Wally: I don't. Greg: We don't look for subscribers -- we look for members of CITW. I discourage people from subscribing unless they are friends or `ormer area players because in my mind the VEDETTE is not worth $10 and I don't have the time to make it into a $10 newsletter. Gar I don't really encourage members outside of the CHARGE PROJECT. Edi: Cons word of mouth. Hal: Send free copies to wargaming publications, names I pick up from other people; word of mouth; Rich Houston of Lyzard's Grin sent out a sub form to all customers; Tim Acheson of Ahketon USA listed MWAN in his catalog; having copies in hobby stores and conventions.
10) What printing methods did/have you used?
George: Offset. Dick: Mimeograph-hard to read if not good paper; reduced offsethave to have good carbon ribbon for each issue for good clean type and use good paper. Lynn: Recently switched from mimeograph to printed format when I took over in 77. I still maintain a printed format using 2 columns/page & "camera-ready" copy from which my printer makes paper or metal printing plates. Magazine is printed on 11 X 17 stock, center-folded & saddle stitched (stapled along fold). Cover sheet is usually on colored stock while internal pages all white. Printed format gives a semi-professional appearance. Costs are higher than mimeograph but I think it is worth it in the long run. Bill: MWAN readers will find the SYWA newsletter is of the same general style. I have Dick Bryant of THE COURIER to thank for this. He initially sent me the method to do it. Older subscribers will remember that the "old" COURIER and THE ARMCHAIR GENERAL used the same format. Wally: Xerox only. Pat: We had the whole thing printed by a succession of fly by night printers. Greg: This is the third newsletter I have done & I learned a long time ago that a copy shop is the only way to go. Don't have the time to mess with ditto or mimeo -- as a teacher, I use both every day. Gary: Use the copier at work; as subs increase, this becomes increasingly inconvenient. A friend has recently bought a copier & I may rent time on it. Terry/Dave: Printers(Xerox). Edi: Apple Ile for format -- Xerox for copies. Hal: Mentioned previously -- would like to state however that if one is to publish a good newsletter that one wants to grow (and as you can see, not everyone wants their newsletter to grow), professional printing has to be the choice simply due to the time element.
11) How did/do you encourage article submissions?
George: Begging; contributors get membership extension. Dick: Just asked for them, never paid. Lynn: Strictly voluntary & I can say that I am lucky to have a good group of faithful readers & contributors who usually have kept me well-supplied with articles. Once in awhile I have had to insert something of my own but not too often. The only payment I offer are awards for two best articles each year as voted on by subscribers. Bill: I'm fortunate because like me there are quite a few folks who like to write and need an outlet. I mention in every issue that we need submissions and I usually change the type needed for each future issue. This perhaps stimulates interest in a particular topic. Also have mini-thems. Otherwise I do ask parties to write on certain topics as I become familiar with them & begin to understand their area of expertise. Thankfully folks often just ask if I could use an article on such & such and 99% of the time I say "You bet." Wally: I plead, grovel, beg, implore; have tried awards/theme issues/contests..for the most part, no use. Pat: Invited people to submit them. Greg: Write, call, beg, ask questions. Gary:Encourage subscribers to write in each issue. Terry/Dave: Appeal, beg, threaten & bribe. Edi: Just ask. Hal: Ask in nearly every issue; ask subscribers to write about something within their area of interest; do one special issue per year devoted to what the membership wants to see; print nearly everything submitted; attempt to write & thank each contributor; keep frequent contact with as many subscribers as possible; attempt to write back to as many new subscribers as possible and encourage them to submit articles; never harrass readers with angry requests for articles -- they don't subscribe to be harrased.
12) How did/do you determine subscription cost?
George: Cost of publication. Dick: Took total costs & divided by subs. Lynn: Cost based primarily on total costs including printing, photography, postage, overhead. Any extra income usually comes from dealer sales, advertising & other special offers. Bill: Cost is determined by the print shop I use for initial work-ups, photo-copying, collating, folding & stapling and local sales tax. In addition there are costs for envelopes & postage. All issues are sent 1st class and those outside of the states get their issues by very expensive air mail. Other factors also determine the subscription price such as mailing free copies to magazines, mailing subscription flyers and general correspondence which is something I totally forgot about in the early days. We have a safeguard in the event of insufficient sub monies or too much; I either decrease or increase the pages in a particular issue. Wally: The $8 price seems "about right" for an amateur, xeroxed, output. $10 would be too much. The yearly postage cost per subscriber is 12 X 44t or $5.28, so we have to cover at least that much. Pat: Sort of a guess at a compromise between what the traffic would bear & what we could print it for. Greg: Based on a .22 stamp X 10 pages xeroxed .5 X 12 pages with a little left over for the club kitty. Gary: Subscription price is based on estimated cost of stamps & envelopes for 3 issues. Terry/Dave: Breakeven. Edi: Postage plus 50%. Hal: MWAN has always been priced lower than expenses in the hope that many would subscribe -- the more subscribers, the cheaper one can publish individual copies for. It has always been a guessing type of thing as far as how much money I felt I could afford to lose until subscriptions increase as they have done so in the last year.
13) Did/do you utilize any other means, other than subs, to raise funds for operating?
George: No. Lynn: I offer advertising as well as special publications & related items. Bill: Charging for advertising helps offset what otherwise would be too low of a subscription price. We also charge a slightly inflated price for those who want back issues of previous volume years. Wally:No. Pat: We sold ads. Greg: The club gets a contribution from WINTER WARS for the help that we do. Gary:No. Terry/Dave: Advertising. Edi: No, I subsidize each issue by $20. Hal: Sell back copies, sell copies at hobby stores, have advertising, charge for personal ads beyond one free one per year, try to see] copies at conventions.
14) What are the benefits of publishing?
George: Keeps club together. Dick: Giving back something to hobby that you took from it; gives you a chance to see new things. Lynn: I enjoy the support I've received from readers and only recently have I enjoyed seeing S&S and/or my name mentioned as sources in other publications, articles, etc. I think all of this relates back to being primarily a "labor of love." Bill: I have met a terrific group of people who share my interests & who come to our meets to share friendships & camraderie. In addition, I satisfy my desires to write, publish & share. Wally: Main benefit is being in contact with a group of devoted gamers. I've been told I should also cash in by reviewing figures, etc., thereby becoming the recipient of lottsa freebees.. but that ain't my game..my interest is rules, no freebees. Pat: Would you believe fame & fortune? No? A chance to exchange views & express ourselves in the hobby. Also trips to conventions, etc. were deductible and we got free samples. Greg: Have a chance to communicate with a lot of people who are interesting. Gary: I enjoy the recognition; when readers meet me, the groan and ask how I could do such a thing. Terry/Dave: An expression of creativity. Edi: Pulling in new players in the area. Hal: Having a chance to write & publish my own publication; being more involved in the hobby; meeting/corresponding with lots of nice people; getting mail every day; seeing MWAN grow; getting "strokes" from subscribers; getting freebees from figure manufacturers; feeling MWAN is the best that I can do.
15) What are the disadvantages of publishing?
George: Time consuming. Dick: Time is not your own; have to be a slave to it. Lynn: Even publishing just quarterly, it seems that there are always deadlines creeping up. This is amplified even more when you're a "one-man" operation such as S&S.. if I don't do the work, nobody else will-and I feel I have to fulfill my obligation to my readers. Bill: The time spent typing is incredible. I am not a fast typer. Wally: Sticking to a monthly publishing date is kinda hectic-especially when I put out 20 pages of text (10 sheets). Collating,stapling & licking stamps do not excite me. .these functions irk me more than writing articles. Pat: Aggravation & expense. Greg: Time and trying to fill an empty issue. Gary: It takes a lot of time. Terry/Dave: Time involved. Edi: I hate discipline. Hal: The time required to type, collate, staple,etc.
16) Do you handle subs by volume year (all subs run out at once) or 12 month period? What are the advantages/disadvantages?
George: 12 month period -- simplifies book keeping. Dick: Each subscriber joined for certain number of copies over a period of time. Lynn: Volume year basis. Makes book keeping easier as well as printing up mailing labels, etc. Disadvantages are rationing money out over whole year when you get most of the income during the first two/three months. Bill: Subs run for a volume period of two years. All mid-term subscribers receive all back issues of current volume. This eliminates what to me must be a nightmare of keeping track of renewals. Wally: Subs are done on an individual 12 month period. Sub list is on a computer and easily updated. It looks like more work than necessary to run the subscription list on a volume year. Pat: Used volume year -- a disadvantage is that all subs run out at the same time & there is a drop in subscriptions. Greg: Volume year as our treasuer does not have time to keep track of everyone and send out notices, etc. Gary: Volume year -- can't imagine any advantage to doing it by 12 month period. Terry/Dave: Volume year -- would like to go 12 months. Edi: I prefer year end but nobody else does so we take money when it comes. Hal: Started out doing volume year but went to 12 month periods as I use bulk mailing which requires a minimum of 200 mailings and with volume year, many people take a long time to send in a subscription when it runs out.
17) What are advantages/disadvantages of advertising?
George: Uses up space -- raises money. Dick: Pays for magazine, no disadvantages. Lynn: Advertising is essential as a support to my overhead costs as well as, I feel, a service to readers. The biggest disdavantage I've seen lately is that I'm reaching a point where there is more advertising in the magazine than content. This becomes a sticky situation when additional printing & postage costs come into play. I am presently trying to decide whether I should limit the amount of advertising for the next year, or just raise the rates to cover the costs of extra printing & postage. Bill: The advantage is that when I need more money in the kitty, I am motivated to seek advertising to help boost same. Disadvantage can be receipt of too much which thereby reduces article content. So far, I have not had this as a problem. If I ever do, I shall have to increase issue length or reduce size of adverts. Wally: Only advantage is the extra couple of dollars it brings in; big disadvantage is that I'm obligated, each issue, to display ads. Pat: Advantage is that it pays bills. Greg: Club policy is to let local dealers advertise -- since none have done so, we don't worry about it. If they did, we would charge them actual cost. Gary :Advantage is that it keeps subscription prices low and brings new products to the attention of readers. Disadvantage is that makes reviewers reluctant to be frank when reviewing new products of advertisers. This is just a guess on my part but I know it would make me uneasy. Terry/Dave: Money and responsibility. Edi: We don't do commercial ads. Hal: Advantage is that it allows subscriptions to be lower than what they would be; I think readers like to know what is available. Disadvantage is that one has to increase size of publication so that readers don't claim that there is more advertising than articles.
18) If you had/have advertisers, how did/do you determine cost of ads?
George: Twice cost of printing & mailing. Lynn: In the past advertising rates were rather arbitrary. Recently however, I have had to base them more on cost & number of customers reached by the advertising rather than just the old "well, that looks about right" rates. Bill: Low cost was my priority. I looked at what the glossy magazines charged and decided to be the lowest by a long shot. This seemed logical because my base of subscribers is low compared to say THE COURIER. Wally: Price for an ad is picked out of a hat. Sometimes I'll tell someone $10, othertimes $20. PW members go in for free. Pat: About the same way as subscriptions. Terry/Dave: From other publications. Hal: Guessing as to what someone will pay and keeping the cost as low as possible.
19) What short cuts have you devised in helping you publish?
George: Off-set printing, printer collates & staples. Dick: Used same paste-up boards for page numbers; used rub-on letters; used masking technque for pictures where one lays pictures on card stock & cut out the page over the picture and black in sides and bring to printer. Lynn: The best shortcut was the addition of a computer printer which produces condensed type. With the new printer, I can paste-up right onto the 8.5 X 11 format and reduce my work by quite a few hours & cut production time by one/two days. Bill: Rich Black keeps track of mailing list, gives me mailing labels and designed out membership directory. Having subscriptions run as mentioned before is an enormous help. Wally: Ain't no shortcuts. The computer helped some to print labels. Recently I started mailing with a "mailer first page" to eliminate envelope stuffing. Greg: The format helps -- as well as saving odds & ends to run as needed. Gary: I somehow talked my wife into typing and Mike Covell into helping with many of the other chores. Just bought a printer for my computer and I hope that will simplify things. Terry/Dave: None, yet! Edi: I close the door when I work. Hal: Using professional printing as opposed to doing it myself; using transfer letters for regular columns & xeroxing them to be cut out and taped on each new issue; not being overly concerned about mistakes in typing; having John Bulter supply me with address labels; using bulk mailing to reduce costs in postage; organizing all materials prior to getting started on a new issue.
20) How do you handle pictures, artwork, lettering for titles, etc.
Lynn: Maps & uniform drawings are done in pen and ink by my staff artist, usually from reference material provided by the authors. Photographs, if supplied by the author or advertiser, must be pre-screened to 65 lines per inch. Most often I do all the photographic research myself, either from my own library or the U. of W. in Seattle. I can get photos made there from old books and magazines and have them screened for me when they are printed. All lettering for titles, etc., is done by hand with dry transfer lettering. I looked into a professional lettering machine last year but the cost was about equal to my entire budget for two issues! Bill: Don't have many; when we do, the authors usually send things in or else I comb my own materials for suitable illustrations. I sometimes draw things up. Also have a word processor which is an enormous advantage in writing. Wally: Artwork is pretty much original..but I do "borrow" a cartoon or illustration now & then. Pat: We drew pictures, took photos. Printer at first handled headlines. Gary: I get all my pictures from old books that I pick up at used book stores, usually do some hand lettering but occasionally use stencils. Terry/Dave: Whatever the printer will handle. Edit What fits goes. Hal: Transfer letters for column headings; there is a series of books out that have pictures that are not copyrighted so I use them a lot -- I have a file of cut out pictures that I save for when they fit in. I try to use maps/drawings sent in by authors as I am a terrible artist and hate drawing.
21) What advice would you give to someone considering starting a hobby newsletter?
George: Assume your circulation will be very small (about 250). Dick: Have your sanity checked! Try to bring something different to it. Meet a particular need in that you should aim for a specific need or be general, there is nothing inbetween. In general, you need someone to help you as you can't be an expert in everything. Lynn: Be prepared to doo all or most of the work yourself. Well-meaning club members fast lose interest when the best you can offer them for a night's work is a couple of beers and some snacks. Choose a subject which will attract readers, but which is not already voered by other publications. S&S has been lucky over the years as it hasn't had a lot of competition. You may need many years of obscurity before you start reaping the meagre rewards of publishing. Use a personal computer with a word processing program -- in today's high tech world, old fashioned type writing just doesn't cut the cake. Above all, be prepared to divert some, if not a lot, of your hobby budget into your publication, at least for the first couple of years! Bill: Be aware of the amount of time necessary to produce what you want to do. If there is insufficient time, then take steps to assist in this regard. One further principle I believe in is that some folks put themselves on too much of a rigorous schedule to say publish an issue monthly or bimonthly or semi-annually or whatever. This sort of structure is fine if the editor is capable of doing it. Many have not been and the result is dissatisfaction by impatient people followed by apologies, guilt, etc. I knew that I could not put myself into such a rigorous structure & so I promise to publish 4-5 issues in a two year period. Whenever an issue comes out I mention in it when the next one will be approximately received. This way, everyone knows what to expect, infrequent production that caters to what could be the editor's own time problems, energy, unknowns and allows for a margin for error. This way, no complaints arise. Wally: Dont' publish singly, ie. get one or more active partners to share the load. There's no money to be made here, so the entire effort must be a labor of love. Pat: I'm not sure. Psychiatrists aren't much use. Besides, why discourage them -- somebody has to do it. Greg: Determine what need you want to fill, be sure that you are willing to spend the needed amount of time & money, and then get out there and try it for a year. Don't try to build an empire overnight. Gary: Understand the time and effort involved and be willing to maintain the effort. Terry/Dave: Be like a cartoonist- have an unlimited supply of articles inside yourself. Edi: Decide if you want a zinc or if you want to publish other people's works, then do what you want. Halt Decide what type of newsletter you like and always, within reason, keep it what you want it to be as you are doing the work, taking the financial risk, etc., not the reader. Realize that it is a "labor of love" and will always remain so. Be willing to put in more work and energy than it is actually worth to enable your publication to be accepted but try to keep in mind that one can't keep always doing this as you burn out. Be willing to sink your own money into it. Develop a thicker skin than I have. Keep it a one-man operation as any time you have more than one person involved, you have different opinions as to how things should be done and this is fine as long as both people do an equal amount of work (something that never happened and never will). Stay on schedule as much as humanly possible. When those letters come in telling you what a great newsletter you have, try to stay away from the temptation of outdoing yourself next time as it is expensive and time consuming.
(Editor's Note: I'd like to thank everyone for taking the time to answer these questions and for being honest in their answers. I hope that those who do not publish wargaming newsletters enjoyed a look at those who do.)
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© Copyright 1986 Hal Thinglum
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