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 Are
you concerned about magazine content?
Do you want specific subjects covered in each magazine you
receive? Are you
interested in having more articles and less advertising?
Do you think you are getting your dollar's worth from
this publication? Would
you like to submit an article?
Have you submitted an article and it hasn't been
published yet? How
does Shoot!
Magazine
determine what articles go in and which ones don't? Who is involved in SHOOT! Magazine
and why?
Last
month I happened to check out a conversation on the SASS wire that
had to do with our magazine's content, at least that was the
initial question related to the individual wanting more articles
on "how to shoot better, make carts and things like that," as
well as less ads and more good reading.
The conversation from those that participated expanded from
there. I was pleased
to see that most of the people that responded were very positive
about our magazine and why we have to have advertisements. I was displeased to see comments like "we are only in it
for the money," and "…paying these ridiculous prices for
magazines that do not meet our expectations."
I thus decided I would talk about some items relating to
the magazine business, and SHOOT!
Magazine
in particular.
First
of all, if we were just in it for the money I would never have
started this magazine, nor would we be here today.
I started the magazine because I felt that Western-action
shooting needed a good all-around shooting magazine that covered
all aspects of Western-action shooting sports (historical, cowboy
ground shooting, mounted shooting, Black Powder Cartridge Rifle
Silhouette (BPCRS), buffalo matches, side matches, fast draw,
period clothing, gunleather, guns, cowboy gear, Western stories,
women and juniors participating in the sport, and getting started.
Also, we wanted to popularize our sports while supporting the 2nd
Amendment, and develop an exceptional raffle system that each year
would support a cowboy shooter or their family that was in need of
financial support, primarily due to illness).
I was lucky enough to acquire an outstanding staff that had
the same viewpoint I did and was willing to work for little or no
money. Oh, by the
way, all of our full-time staff are shooters and even our
part-time staff have shot from time-to-time.
The first year was exceptionally tough with lots of money
going out and little coming in.
For those that don't know what it takes to print an
almost all-color publication with the quality we put into ours, it
takes tens of thousands of dollars per issue.
The second year was a lot better, but there was still more
cash going out than coming in, and the third was much better, but
still in the red. Now,
in our fourth year, we should finally be in a fair position with
more people and better facilities to continue
to meet the needs of our readers.
Editorial
Continued
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