451 replies to this topic

[Samiam]

Looking forward to this also. The Blog is great for real time info but I get yelled at for bringing my laptop into the bathroom.

 

When are subscriptions being accepted?

[MG Brown]

This is certainly something that is needed- best of luck to all involved.

 

Generally speaking, clearly written published submission guidelines assist the author as well as the editor. Here is an example that we discussed in the Technical Writing college course that I completed recently:

 

http://www.saturdaye...sion-guidelines

 

PS: Not meaning to steal Greg's thunder by any means but I am surprised that this information has not yet been posted (from what I can see) on the http://www.modelcarsmag.com forum. I would think that a sub-topic for the proposed magazine on that forum would certainly be appropriate.

 

I would certainly advise to use the existing base of scale modelers to build readers and contributors for your new venture.

[redbackspyder]

Jairus, when and where can we sign up for a subscription ?

[Jairus]

I don't know yet Mill.
I am simply trying to fill the first issue with articles.
The subscription thing will be explained in the first issue, and I will push for a package deal to include Model Cars Mag sub as well.
It's all up to the publisher. 
I am only responsible for content.

[redbackspyder]

Well, count me in Jairus, I will subscribe, because I support what you are doing....

[slotbaker]

I'll be in on it as well.

Hope us international types will be able to get our hands on the first issue.

[Jencar17]

[Jairus]

International is always a problem. We can't ship overseas because of the high cost and time to fill out all the stupid customs forms for each subscription.

What Gregg did with Model Cars Magazine is to send a batch to a drop box in England and they re-addressed and mailed them from there. Unfortunately it takes two weeks longer for the customer to receive their magazines.

Another thing to talk to Gregg about now... because we have a lot of international members here. Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, England, Japan, Germany, France, and occasionally Switzerland.

[MG Brown]

Another thing to talk to Gregg about now... because we have a lot of international members here. Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, England, Japan, Germany, France, and occasionally Switzerland.

 
Wouldn't the digital version suffice for international customers?

[don.siegel]

No, we want paper! 
 
But digital is what Robert S did for Model Car Racing: he tried sending international subscriptions at the beginning, but too many problems so now it's only digital. It was already something like $6 or $7 per issue at the time, and a lot of them were getting lost. 
 
However, I have a drop box: my brother Bob in Chicago! 
 
Not sure how that would work: England could cover all of Europe I assume, but what about Australia, etc. 
 
The New Yorker overseas system works well; don't know where they get routed, but I get mine within a week of US subscribers - but they have a subscriber base of a million, so the scale is not the same! 
 
By the way Jairus: two weeks later wouldn't bother us overseas guys, we're used to it! When I first moved here over 30 years ago, it was more like a month or six weeks after distribution in the States... 
 
Don

[Jairus]

Well, I gave Steve Kempson a subscription to Model Cars Mag some time ago. The way we worked it was I subscribed in his name with my address. Soon as the mag arrived I slipped it into an envelope and posted it. Don't remember the cost of each post, but most of the postmasters said I didn't need customs forms. Couple of them made me fill out the form.

An interim suggestion might be for everyone to get a "brother Bob" to ship it to you?

Just spitballing here.

[slotbaker]

Wouldn't the digital version suffice for international customers?

Not on your life...
 
We (I) want to collect them and put them in boxes like all the other magazines.

[slotbaker]

I think I might be able to drum up a few subscribers down here when it all comes together, and/or get one the more enterprising track owners to get them in for us.

When we know the details, I'll put the word around.

[Jairus]

Scott at PCH volunteered to do the mailing to anyone outside of the US. Not yet sure if he is willing to organize the subscriptions too... or even if subscriptions are required.

But sending international is looking like a plan, at least for members of Slotblog.net.

When I get home I'll give Gregg a call and spitball with him.

[Jencar17]

   

[Justin A. Porter]

I'll definitely be interested in this mag, especially if it can cover 1/32 plastic in a non-collector fashion. The modern competition plastic car is fantastic on a commercial track and it's aggravating to hear the complaints of "You'll never have enough track to properly enjoy this car so you shouldn't bother with it compared to the cheaper version."

[slotbaker]

Scott at PCH volunteered to do the mailing to anyone outside of the US.  Not yet sure if he is willing to organize the subscriptions too... or even if subscriptions are required.
But sending international is looking like a plan, at least for members of Slotblog.net.

When I get home I'll give Gregg a call and spitball with him.

I'm sure that if subs are likely, then the individuals do their own subscription, and organise for it to be sent to Scott for distribution??!! 

 
Thanks, Scott, for offering to help us out.

 
Maybe we just place an order with PCH around each publication date, and the mag can come with the goods to help offset costs and make it worth Scott's effort???

[Maximo]

I have an idea (not sure if it is a good one)!

 

If each issue is sold on eBay, with a sale that has 50 issues available, then when sold the seller can easily print the shipping label that automatically has the "customs" information already on it. There is a discount for the shipping and possibly there is an International "media" mailing charge that might not be so bad.

 

It is worth considering as it addresses these particular mailing issues.

 

Update: This is of course the sale through PayPal and the postage bought through them.

 

-mAx

[wing G7]

I am interested. Count me in for subscription. They will cover wing cars G7 and G27?

[Jairus]

Why, George? Give me one reason to cover racing those non-scale door stops that is a benefit not already provided by the forums?

[Arne Saknussem]

Is that an editorial position?

[Jairus]

Maybe. But I still think the question is an important one to answer.
 
The slot car hobby started out as a "hands on" skill-developing endeavor for youth.  Right?
Most all cars sold back in the day were sold only as kits.  
Kids and some adults had to assemble, paint, decal and build the machines in order to drive them. It was an outgrowth of the model car hobby for all intents and purposes. This taught them valuable skills that many eventually used to build their own machines from scratch.
The market flourished.
 
Wing racing today is dying because it's become nothing more than a pocketbook sport. The person with the most money builds the fastest car and rarely has to do anything more than buy the parts and assemble it. No painting required. Plus, the machines relate to the real world in not one single way shape or form!
Eurosport is not far behind them.

They may be fast but they do not help develop painting or building skills.
 
Model cars as a hobby, for your information, never died. Slots very nearly did!
Scale racing and Retro are the only things keeping our hobby a viable hobby and I plan to focus on those how-to aspects over all-out speed.

So, no, Eurosport or Wing racing will not be in the mag unless I can see a good reason to focus on them.

[Pete L.]

Jairus,
 
I'd  be very interested in buying such a magazine.

Thanks,

Pete L.

[Wayne Thomas]

I get a slot car mag from Books-a-Million called Slot.it is $10.75 a mag. Each mag is for two months. The Nov/Dec no.9 mag is there now for sale.

[Arne Saknussem]

Jairus,

Take a time out, pal!

 

Early on in this thread I learned that the name of the new mag is Slot Cars Magazine.  That's the answer (QED, IMHO).

 

Nevertheless, U B the Editor, hence my question.

 

But while we're on the subject...

 

You said: Model cars as a hobby, for your information, never died. Slots very nearly did!

 

That commercial slot racing nearly died is certainly true, but "slots" were never in danger of death any more than model cars were.  When there was nary a commercial raceway to be found in our area, I and my friends were building and racing 1/32 slot cars in basements on a rotating basis.  There was another club that did the same thing with HO setups.

 

And for YOUR information please name any motorized sport that isn't a (to use your term) "pocketbook" endeavor.

 

Funny thing, though... wing cars come in kits, have bodies that need to be painted, cut, trimmed, and rather carefully assembled, and the skills necessary to be competitive may not be those you particularly value but they are skills nonetheless.

 

Believe me... I'm not a fan of wing racing (the glue gives me a rash) but don't dump on it just because your artistic sensibilities are offended.

 

And another thing... if its governing body hadn't decreed massive rules changes current Formula One racing would bear no relevance to real world automobiles either.

ASIDE:  Nico Rosberg doesn't assemble his own car, or paint it, but they still publish mags about F1

 

Just sayin'  

 

Peace.