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 an evening, with a glass of red.)

I wanted to see Australian voices, varied and opinionated, collected in one place that would act as one potential resource for those engaged with the universal issues of sexuality and diversity.

“Guess I’d better do it myself,” I thought.

Record in time

Each issue of Archer is a snapshot of Australia’s attitudes to sexuality and diversity at the time of publication.

Archer represents a relic from a moment in our society’s history. As time passes, the sexual equality movement will take shape, diversity debates will unfurl, Australian attitudes will shift. These transformations will be documented in the tangible record that is Archer.

The magazine is wholly contemporary, and each issue will date quickly. The style is fresh, although in 12 months it may appear archaic. The viewpoints are current, but in two years, they’ll be ridiculous. The writers are emerging. Soon they’ll be prize-winning.

It is for this reason we felt Archer needed to be tangible. Readable. Placabale in a satchel. Coffee-tableable.

Also, we all love print publications. We wouldn’t be in the business if we didn’t.

How to make a magazine

The launch issue of Archer will be crowdfunded, and one gift for those that support its cause is entry to this blog. In this series, we will document the steps taken to put this magazine together. A decade in publishing gives you a bit of nous and know-how, but it’s nothing you can’t learn from a series of quality blogposts. Consider this your crash course in starting a print title.

Support is good, but opinion is even better. We may ask for your input at times – we value the viewpoints of our readers, so speak up.

Look for daily updates on Twitter and Facebook, and join our mailing list for the full deal.

‘Til next time,

Amy Middleton

Image by Elisa Bryant