How to make a magazine
When we first launched Archer Magazine, we envisaged a platform to share stories on sexuality and gender from the perspective of individuals and communities that are left out of mainstream media. As the publication developed, we watched a community start to take shape, and I’m happy to report that the people who like Archer Magazine aren’t like the …
During the first years of Archer Magazine, finding contributors to fill the publication was easy. I have a lot of friends with a lot of opinions. Being a journalist also means I’m surrounded by people who are capable of stringing a sentence together. Read more from How To Make A Magazine Initially, I committed myself to …
It’s a horrific experience, editing print deadlines, and one of the lesser-known challenges of old-school journalism. I’ve just sent my seventh issue of Archer Magazine to the printers, and the bad news is, it doesn’t get any easier. The good news is there are coping mechanisms that might help you keep it together (or not). I’m …
Amy Middleton is the founding editor of Archer Magazine. One of the beautiful things about Archer Magazine is how many diverse groups and individuals it brings together through its content. I’m not only talking about the different identities and communities that make up our readership, but also the gap this publication bridges between identity politics …
Last week, following a call from our distributor, it came to my attention that a handful of newsagents have refused to stock Archer in their stores. A friend went looking for Archer’s second issue in a Melbourne suburban newsagent, and found it had been hidden in a drawer, restricted from view due to its content. …
How to make a magazine: Choosing contributors
If you’re making a magazine, then you probably have some familiarity with magazines that are currently on the market. (If not, back to the drawing board, aka Mag Nation, with you.) You know the writing you like. If you’re not sure of your own opinion, sit down with a publication and pay attention to which …
How to make a magazine: Team building, aka ‘Don’t be scared to ask for help’
Another massive lesson I’ve learned during this whole making-a-magazine affair is that one woman can not do everything. And if she tries to, the end result will suffer. I’ve been in publishing for 10 years so I know my way around sentence structure. I know how to commission, how to edit and how to put together …
Our Pozible campaign has kicked off. We need to raise $20,000 to cover the printing of our first two issues and payment to ALL our contributing writers and photographers, with a little left over for marketing. Donations over $50 receive an exclusive Archer mug. Other than supporting a much-needed new media outlet in Australia, what …
Time for research
In putting together the magazine, the research phase was my first step. Sure, working as a journalist and editor for almost 10 years has equipped me with a few skills. I know, more or less, how to commission writers, choose topics, get a website going, lure designers onboard. One thing the publishing industry does not …
The idea for Archer came from a simple desire. I was thirsty for news about the sexual equality movement. I wanted intelligent, thought-provoking commentary from a variety of viewpoints, rather than the press releases and drivel of the Australian mass media. (Those articles have their place, but that place isn’t next to my fire of …