Printed Matters

It is always so sad to see a fine magazine on books end its subscription service. I have been in the book business since 1970…. What can I say except that there are many of us out there that love to hold printed matter in our hands and refer to it when needed.  I have saved all of my periodicals and refer to them many times during the year. I'm sad to see you go, but perhaps someone out there will put all of this info on a CD so that we can at least slip that into our computer for ez access.

I have enjoyed what I have received from you and will continue to store the issues.

Barbara Charett Books

San Diego, CA

But HOW CAN I READ IT IN The BATHTUB!!!  AAAARRRRGGGGHHHH.

Edward Scott, Legacy Books

Plano, TX

As a longtime print journalist myself, I’m always sorry to see a printed magazine fold or reduce its frequency, but, as you know, the economics of printing and distribution are no longer on print’s side. However, rumors of our demise have been greatly exaggerated. All of our back issues are available for purchase online; our new online edition will appear monthly (as opposed to bimonthly); and we’ll continue to put out a yearly print edition. We’ve also created “portable pages,” downloadable PDF versions for our feature stories, and we’re working to make the entire magazine printable and portable (but you’ll have to do the laminating) for perusal in the tub.—Ed.

Preaching to the Publisher

No book collector wants an e-letter or e-magazine. We all want to feel a magazine, like we do the books we love. It may be the changing world, but it is not a good thing. I know I am preaching to the choir, but please inform the publisher that I am not happy, and that if there is anything left on my subscription to send me a refund. A good friend has passed away. 

Larry Longest

Richmond, VA

After six years of publishing Fine Books, we had 4,000 subscribers and comparable numbers in newsstand sales. Research suggests there are roughly 300,000 book collectors in the U.S., yet we weren’t reaching them in print. When we made the commitment, starting last December, to put more editorial content online, traffic on our web site jumped from 8,000 page views to 24,000 pages views—in a single month.  Our short-term goal is 100,000 pages, and we think we'll be there in the second quarter of 2009. The reality is that more people are using Fine Books online than ever did in print.
     The content will be just as good. We may lose some people, but if new subscribers to our e-letter are any indication, collectors are excited about our efforts.—Ed.

And from a loyal follower…

Good luck with the new format, we certainly will support you, as I am sure many others will, too. 

Phil Rosette

Birchwood Books

Troy, MI