Thnk you very much indeed for your offers of support ladies and gentlemen. I am feeling overwhelmed by the calibre of the volunteers and I feel we are looking at something which we can all be proud of.
It would be excellent to include features from outside the UK. Of course we will only be able to offer very limited distribution to Australia and the U.S. (at least initially) but being able to access more of a World perspective is invaluable.
Timescale: We would like to have the first issue ready for sale in May (and I would hope to bring some copies to the Steampunk Worlds Fair and the World Steam Expo in the US that month too.) This means we would like initial contributions towards the end of February and in any case no later than March 13th. We appreciate this is a very short deadline and if it becomes evident that we have no hope of hitting that we will push it back. Ideally though we would like to run for issue two being published at the end of August thus being available at The Asylum.
Contributions: At this point we are looking for:
Expert makes: Blog type articles on the construction of high end steampunk items. (Herr Doktor and Mad Uncle this is obviously a prime area for yourselves.)
Masterclass: Articles on a specific craft or art skill. (e.g. etching or paint patination)
Event reports: On the spot reviews and reports from steampunk events and gatherings.
Music and band features: Initially we are looking for more in the way of "meet the band and get to know them" type reports rather than straight reviews. There will be a seperate review column.
Feature Crew: There are a number of "airship crews" around the world. This is a chance to celebrate their creativity. Articles about a specific small group of friends and their overall look.
Artisan features: A meet the maker feature showcasing their work. These may be commercial makers, artists or hobbyists.
"Wow this place is great". Articles on sites which are of specific interest to steampunks.
The Time Machine visits: features on other aspects of retro futurism and retro socialising.
Since this is a glossy, full colour magazine we would like photograpsh to support the above articles.
We are also looking for:
Steampunk Online: Articles about sites we like to visit on the aetherweb.
Forthcoming book, music and film reviews. (We will be securing review copies and supplying them to selected writers) Submissions for review are very welcome.
Serious essays. Philosophical or sociological articles on the community and where it is going.
Poetry. (We would like to feature one or two an issue)
A cartoon strip or single frame cartoons.
We will consider fiction but envisage this is more likely the province of Steampunk Tales or anthologies that we are supporting such as "Tales from the Asylum."
There will of course be diary features letting people know of future events and functions, other fun features that will be revealled in issue one and editorial.
Naturally we will be carrying advertising. Our projected advertising rate is from just £45 for a quarter page, £80 half page and £150 full page. This is incredibly affordable and reflects our ideals to be a quality magazine not a commercial cash cow. Advertisers will also get a number of complementry copies they can distribute or even sell on if they wish.
We prefer contributions in Word format at present. Photos as JPEGs. Advertisers will need to supply their finished artwork.
Whilst this may seem an ambitious project steampunk is about creativity. We have also shown with the VSS that simple determination to make something happen coupled with creativity means that things do get done.
Let us hope this is but the start of a "Grand Adventure".
As ever please email direct to
majortinker@aol.com rather than pms etc.
