Ok fine, details.
Posted by Josh on November 24th, 2007 in General.
Wow, I didn’t realize anybody actually read this blog.
Here are some details, though I don’t have it all worked out yet so don’t hold me to this exactly. But here is what I’m thinking. We’re going to go back to printing quarterly editions of the mag and then archive them online for folks in other countries or something like that where it’s too expensive to subscribe. We might make the archive free, I’m not sure yet.
Then we’ll have an online component of the magazine, but I don’t know what that will be. Shorter stuff or maybe more news types of updates and blog stuff. Not sure.
The print issues will be like the little pink one and the travel issue which is shipping out on Monday.
We won’t be doing newsstands because that is a great way to lose a lot of money. We’ll do single issue and subscriptions though, and wholesale to all our favorite vegan stores.
We decided to switch back because, though many folks are reading the online content, many aren’t. And I can’t handle the idea that so much good writing and information isn’t being read. I obviously think this stuff is important and it not being read by as many folks as possible kills me. So we’ll do print versions and probably make the content of those print versions free online after the print versions come out.
We’re going to figure out how to make the print versions as ecologically responsible as we can. The paper is mostly recycled already and we already use soy inks but we’re going to have to do more to offset all the shipping and whatnot. If we have to raise the price of the single issues and the subs to cover this, that is just how it will have to be.
We’re going to do one more online edition, which will be a big holiday-ish type edition to cover November and December and then we’ll start with print issues again in the spring of 2008. We’ll inform folks when their subs are up.
So there you go! What do you think?
Says kelly on November 24th, 2007 at 11:12 pm: #
well, as much as it sucks for you, that does make me feel a bit better. see, while I love the idea of doing the mag online for all the obvious reasons (environmentally, networking potential, etc.) the fact remains that the reminders for new editions are repeatedly just sitting in my inbox, unread. I’m thinking it’s because I do most of my reading on public transport and the elliptical machine. but i also spend a lot of time online, so I don’t know? in any case, I’ll continue to be a subscriber , whatever version you choose, ’cause you’re right , each issue is always jam-packed with good stuff that I *need* to read! thanks for continually rising to challenges and morphing to meet the preferences of your following:)
Says em on November 24th, 2007 at 11:16 pm: #
I’m excited- I’d be willing to cough up a little more every year to help get Herbivore out…
Says Isa on November 24th, 2007 at 11:24 pm: #
I know that this isn’t a vote but I would love to see a normal sized magazine again. Your hands are particularly dainty but mine are big and clumsy.
Says Josh on November 24th, 2007 at 11:38 pm: #
i’m not actually taking requests at this time isa, thank you though.
kelly, it doesn’t suck for us actually, i’m really exicted. i love print too! it’s just expensive and we need to take steps to handle the increased environmental impact, but that’s totally possible.
i’m a wee bit tired right now, if i don’t sound excited, it’s that. : )
Says jaxin on November 25th, 2007 at 12:02 am: #
I think the idea of a magazine with an online supplement sounds like a FAB idea!
Mmmm, soy ink!
And that is what I think of that!
Says Lauren on November 25th, 2007 at 12:09 am: #
When I first saw this, I was like, “All right, cool. We’ll have to have Josh back on to talk about the switch back to print.” That’s right, Josh, you’re a radio show waiting to happen. And a magazine. Which I guess is already happening.
Personally, I’m excited about the rebirth of the print version. It was always nice to hold Herbivore in my hands.
Says Isa on November 25th, 2007 at 12:17 am: #
Glossy please.
Says Mike on November 25th, 2007 at 1:01 am: #
I couldn’t be more pleased that Herbivore will be a full on print magazine again. I think the online idea was solid but I am also one of the folks that never read it.
Says helena on November 25th, 2007 at 10:53 am: #
I loved that you offered the online subscription, because not being in the US would make it too expensive to subscribe otherwise. I thought the 15USD/year thing was a great deal and I am sorry to see it go. I do see the value in print magazines though, I agree with everybody that it is a very different experience. I am also happy to see that you are aware of the environmental aspects of print publishing. As long as you keep the magazine accessible for us who live outside the US, I am happy.
Says kelly on November 25th, 2007 at 10:58 am: #
oh yay, print! i miss print so much. i like being able to bring mags out with me and then have to explain what “herbivore” is over and over to rednecks. it’s awesome.
Says dijkstrasshortestpath on November 25th, 2007 at 11:03 am: #
So what happens to us fools who just paid for a year’s online subscription? I know you might not have made a concrete decision yet, but I might feel a little cheated.
Plus, like Egon, I believe print is dead.
Says debya on November 25th, 2007 at 12:41 pm: #
This is the best news ever. And, thus, I take back every mean spirited thing I’ve ever said about Josh Hooten.
Says golden delicious on November 25th, 2007 at 2:48 pm: #
I’m really glad there will be more print. I love Herbivore and I have an online subscription, but as it turns out, I’m one of the people who aren’t reading it! I think it just gets lost in the shuffle, and I can’t bring it around with me. Thank you!
Says karla on November 25th, 2007 at 6:36 pm: #
yay!!
i’m so glad you’re going to do print again!
p.s. i’m with isa…..i want the biggin’!!!
Says KatieJane on November 25th, 2007 at 6:58 pm: #
All those times I reassured you that doing an on-line edition was a good idea….I was lying. This is great!
Says Eric on November 25th, 2007 at 9:29 pm: #
Will you be publishing the online edition’s “most unread articles” in print?
I liked the online mag!. But, then, I am online a lot.
Says Katie on November 25th, 2007 at 9:48 pm: #
Apparently i’m the only one in the world who likes the online magazine. I’m the only one who counts though, so you should just keep it the way it is.
Says kat on November 25th, 2007 at 10:03 pm: #
I love print, holding a magazine in my hands. I have a subscription but since the switch to online, I haven’t been reading at all.
Says orangeluna on November 26th, 2007 at 9:19 pm: #
Is the ink edible?
Says lawless on November 26th, 2007 at 11:22 pm: #
Just a random thought, not even knowing what format your current online mag is in, but there are some really cool flash-based online mags out there:
http://www.driftmagazine.co.uk/issue3/flipmag/
If you’ve already done the print version it’s just a matter of outputting the print files for a flash-based reader. Or just PDF the whole shebang. Just a couple random thoughts on online mags, as I tend to read alot of them at work ;), it’s a bit more subtle than kicking back with coffee and a magazine at my desk.
Says sarah on November 27th, 2007 at 5:39 pm: #
HOOORAY!
Says Ray Frenden on November 28th, 2007 at 12:05 am: #
I’m a happy camper.
Says sjs on November 29th, 2007 at 2:17 am: #
yay! sounds awesome.
Says Claire on November 29th, 2007 at 10:38 am: #
Hooray for you for exercising the possibility of changing your mind! Constant growth! I’m happy for you. And for me.
Says Latacia on December 3rd, 2007 at 2:24 pm: #
I am glad the magazine is going back to paper. I prefer to read my magazines and books over and over, plus I will be able to share the information in the magazines with my friends.
Says Jill on December 4th, 2007 at 3:59 pm: #
I subscribed last year (thinking it would be print) just as it switched to on-line and am one of those who haven’t been reading it as much as I would like. I like having my magazines and coffee and lazing on the couch on w/ends so I look forward to the print edition again. Yah!
Says chris on December 5th, 2007 at 10:52 pm: #
i definitely dont read the online version too often. i’m on a computer ALL day at work; when i arrive home, i check a few email accounts and call it a day.
i request the magazines smell like fresh baked cookies.
thank you.
kidding.