| Poets & Writers. 124 pp.
Monthly. Full-sized, perfect-bound. $4.95 |
4.8 |
2 |
2 |
9 |
6 |
4 |
|
Professional appearance and production; professional writing.
This magazine concentrates more on "being a writer" than anything
else. The instructional materials are satisfactory, if far too sparse. The marketing and advertising
materials concentrate on the "serious" writer more than on commercial writing, and are mostly announcements
of contests and resident writing courses at the MFA level. Author interviews are a strength. Advertising
materials appear to be well-screened for content, marginally screened for propriety. The
major problem is the high proportion of advertising and other non-article materials; there just is enough
other material, particularly related to the business of writing. The publication's core
attitude is that the academic method of teaching writing is the only road to success—however success is
defined. |
Business
Marketing
Inspiration
Instruction
Affiliated ads
Other ads
Administrative
Illustrations & fiction |
3%
6%
28%
2%
1%
49%
5%
6%
|
| Speculations. 64 pp.
Bimonthly/monthly. Digest-sized, electronic. $3.33 |
8.0 |
7 |
10 |
7 |
8 |
8 |
|
Semiprofessional to professional appearance and production; professional writing. This bimonthly magazine
concentrates almost exclusively on speculative fiction (science fiction, fantasy, and horror); a subscription
includes a monthly marketing supplement. The marketing materials are the best in the business, regardless
of publishing category, and are
extraordinarily timely. Instructional material varies widely in approach, ranging from technique to useful
information and references. The only advertising is an occasional part-page mention of work offered by one
of the authors. Unlike all of the other magazines, the articles are written by current practitioners in the
field. Production values are good for an electronic publication. The publication's core attitude is that
writing for publication is hard, but rewarding, work. |
Business
Marketing
Inspiration
Instruction
Affiliated ads
Other ads
Administrative
Illustrations & fiction |
20%
32%
14%
21%
0%
1%
9%
0%
|
| The Writer. 68 pp.
Monthly. Full-sized, perfect-bound. $3.95 |
6.0 |
7 |
5 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
|
Professional appearance and production; semiprofessional to professional writing. Somewhat marred by
conflicts of interest. This monthly magazine
concentrates on the naïve and inexperienced writer without too much exploitation. Although the quality of
material discussing the business of writing is reasonably good, too often it is written to fit instead of
written to completion, reflecting overly rigid layout (surprising considering the proportion of illustrations)
and uncreative editing. The book review section is a good idea, and does review materials from other
publishers; however, the reviews tend toward cheerleading. The marketing material is
slowly improving, but timeliness remains a major issue. Instructional materials are decent, as they don't rely
very much on checklists and formulas. Articles are written by freelance authors, many with journalism and
other professional credentials. Unfortunately, the editorial hand appears less competent. Production values are
acceptable (about on a par with the weekly news magazines, absent the profusion of bad photographs).
Advertising materials appear satisfactorily screened for content, marginally screened for propriety. The low
expected experience/competence level of the audience works against the magazine's value. The publication's
core attitude is that "anyone can be a writer," although it does acknowledge that being ready to publish
requires work. |
Business
Marketing
Inspiration
Instruction
Affiliated ads
Other ads
Administrative
Illustrations & fiction |
15%
17%
10%
19%
6%
17%
4%
10%
|
| Writer's Digest. 68 pp.
Monthly. Full-sized, saddle-stitched. $4.99 |
5.2 |
5 |
5 |
6 |
5 |
5 |
|
Professional appearance and production; semiprofessional to professional writing. Marred by both acknowledged
and unacknowledged conflicts of interest. This monthly magazine
concentrates on the naïve and inexperienced writer. Advertising includes many dubious schemes,
particularly in the classified advertising section. The quality of material has the widest range of any
of these periodicals, whether considering just the writing or its content. The business of writing material
is at its best when cautionary; material that espouses any particular business model is generally
sycophantic to one or more "gurus." Marketing material is frequently inaccurate and generally somewhat out
of date. Instructional materials range from decent on down, usually built around a "formula for success."
Advertising materials appear unscreened for either content or propriety.
Production values are acceptable, on a par with weekly news magazines absent the photographs. The magazine's
core attitude is that everyone can be a successful writer if they'll only apply the formulae presented this
month. |
Business
Marketing
Inspiration
Instruction
Affiliated ads
Other ads
Administrative
Illustrations & fiction |
19%
16%
14%
12%
13%
25%
6%
6%
|
| Writer's Journal. 68 pp.
Bimonthly. Full-sized, saddle-stitched. $3.99 |
2.0 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
2 |
2 |
|
Semiprofessional appearance and production; semiprofessional and worse writing. Seriously marred by
unacknowledged conflicts of interest. This monthly magazine concentrates on neophyte writers.
The business materials are frequently written by fee-charging "advisors" with little or no track record
of commercial success. For example, the "Ask the Book Doctor" column was written by William Appel and Denise
Sterrs, the principals of Edit Ink, for quite some time after Edit Ink was closed down by the New York
Attorney General. Marketing data is both sparse and untimely. The quality of the writing in the articles is
seldom good enough to act as a model for writers, and the quality of writing instruction is worse.
The magazine includes "winning entries" in fiction and poetry contests that demonstrate all too clearly the
experience and competence of its audience. Advertising materials appear marginally screened for content and
unscreened for propriety. Production values are simply appalling for a magazine with national
distribution. The magazine's core attitude is that anybody can say anything about writing and have others
believe that it's the gospel, even without apparent qualifications and despite conflicts of interest. |
Business
Marketing
Inspiration
Instruction
Affiliated ads
Other ads
Administrative
Illustrations & fiction |
14%
8%
7%
22%
7%
18%
7%
16% |