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[phil_parker]

The quality has gone up a lot over the last few months IMHO - but everyone's opinion of what makes for good "quality" is different. You don't say what "quality" means to you so there wouldn't be anything to go on for the editor.

Reducing the number produced just reduces your advertising revenue without hugely reducing the overheads. At 4 editions, probably even 6, I doubt it would be economic to produce.

[Colin Bishop]

Maybe if the frequency was reduced from monthly to say 4 or 6 editions per year, the overall quality of each edition could improve? I used to be a subscriber but gave up eventually.

I don't quite see the logic of that, you seem to be suggesting that the fixed costs of the editor and designer remain the same but there will only be income from half the number of issues?

As to what constitutes overall quality that is to some extent a matter of opinion. The more recent changes of editor saw a correspondingchange in the balance of content which is only to be expected but whilst some people were not too happy about it others welcomed the extended variety of material. One man's meat etc.

Also bear in mind that the magazine can only publish what people are prepared to write, there are no in house reporters!

Colin

[SailorGreg]

I am one of those who felt that the content of Model Boats had improved noticeably in recent issues.  I quite accept that not all the articles are my particular cup of tea, but it is still interesting to read about aspects of the hobby that are not those I see every day.  (And I do have a personal beef with kit "reviews" that just catalogue following the instructions without any discussion or critique of the product.  But that's just me.)  I look forward to the next copy!

Greg

[justboatonic]

Late to the party, I know. Running a business profitably is hard at the best of times. Everyone wants 'value for money' and, for every person who says they are happy to pay a bit more to maintain publication etc, at least one, may be more, are not and see any price increase as the last straw.
The bottom line is the number of active RC modellers is declining across all disciplines. It's a shrinking target audience.

[roycv]

Hi Sailor Greg, I support your comment about a reitteration of what is written in the instructions.  Several I have read recently have said that they would not do that but have pointed out some parts of the build that need some expansion.  Some  times it is necessary to comment on the kit as received. 

I remember the early Fairwind yacht kit with the sails all folded up inside.  They retained their creases and I suggested how to remove the creases.  Another review I dd of the Libera Ocean where the editor said some of the sail boom fittings were "agricultural" in design.  So I did as he said and made the fittings more acceptable.  I have to say I enjoyed sailing both of those yachts, very nice.  The Libera Ocean is the only model yacht I have seen plane with a third of its hull out of the water!

I have to say there is one reviewer who makes the kits up with barely a comment on the quality of the kit.  He reviewed a model some years ago which I had also received to review for the defunct IMM.  After consultation and a visit from the editor it was decided not to publish as it really was not good enough.  Things have fortunately moved on since then.
A Model Boats editor I was in conversation with said that many modellers wait for the review before they buy the kit, so they do have their place.  Let us toast those who read the instructions first.  The kit build models featured on this forum are a real source of encouragement to many I am sure.  I probably have built more from plans than kits and the one thing I have noticed over the years is a lack of an adequate a rear view.
Regards
Roy

 

[DaveM]

Let us toast those who read the instructions first.

You mean there are such folk?? A toast to them individually by name wouldn't take much time or wine.....but I'd be happy to give it a bash! 
Dave M

[dougal99]

Remember, when in doubt read the instructions          If you can find them 

[Tug Fanatic]

Model Boats next issue confirmed by publisher 31st July.
https://www.modelboats.co.uk/forums/postings.asp?th=155114&p=13

Has the new editor, Lindsey Amrani, any Model Boat experience? A female editor................hmmm that is a first. I wish her well.

[raflaunches]

Has the new editor, Lindsey Amrani, any Model Boat experience? A female editor................hmmm that is a first.

Does that matter, Martyn didn’t have any experience either when he first started. I’ve already been contacted by Lindsey and the design team to continue my article series  and the vibes I felt were very positive. I’ve had regular contact in the last 48 hours to ensure that I was happy with any changes they had made to my article and I must admit that that she has had a positive input to the series. I’m happy to see magazine back and up and running. Be supportive and contribute where you can.

[phil_parker]

Model Boats next issue confirmed by publisher 31st July.
https://www.modelboats.co.uk/forums/postings.asp?th=155114&p=13

Has the new editor, Lindsey Amrani, any Model Boat experience? A female editor................hmmm that is a first. I wish her well.

Hardly. Model boating isn't, or at least shouldn't be, a male-only preserve. My boss on the model railway magazines is female and arrived with no experience of the hobby but things are working very well. There is far more to producing a magazine than knowing about the subject - you spend no time modelling and lot of time scheduling, driving spreadsheets and thinking about marketing.

Lindsey comes from a running a collectable models magazine which gives her a background related to, but not the same as MB. I've talked to her and she recognises the challenge but seems to be getting to grips with it. Don't forget, people like Colin Bishop are around to advise as well. Any editor worth their salt acquires useful contacts to talk to and bounce ideas off. 

[Colin Bishop]

Just to repeat, with permission from MyTimeMedia:

Following an unavoidable suspension of publication due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are now delighted to inform you that Model Boats will return with the August issue. This will hit the newsstands on July 31st and possibly be with subscribers a little sooner. We will also be welcoming aboard a new editor, Lindsey Amrani. Rest assured, your treasured magazine is in very safe hands.

If you subscribe to the magazine, all issues that have been missed will be added onto the end of current subscription term. If you pay for your subscription via direct debit, the date on which payments are withdrawn from your account will be adjusted; you will be contacted about this individually. Thankfully, we are also able to resume the mailing out of copies to overseas subscribers, so, wherever you are in the world, you can now look forward to receiving your August 2020 issue of Model Boats.

Should you have any further queries, please contact me via email at [email protected] and I will be happy to assist.

Sincerest thanks for your patience,

Beth Ashby-Njiiri

So, good news. Lindsey has a lot of Editorial experience and also a lot of support from myself and regular contributors, there is no reason why she won't make a success of it. Model boating experts with editorial and production skills and who are in a position to commit full time to a job like this are as rare as hen's teeth and editorial skills are the more important as the content will come from the expert model boaters.

As far as female editors are concerned, I spent my entire career alongside women and found them to be generally more proficient than their male counterparts and a lot nicer to work with, having better attention to detail and a willingness to listen and learn which was not always apparent with their male colleagues. They also worked a darn sight harder so I have no problems whasoever with that.

Colin

[roycv]

Well said Colin, I am looking forward to the August edition. 

Going back over the years we did have a time when Model Boats 'management' insisted on 13 issues per year, very confusing.  This bear of limited ability could only relate to months unless there is a 13th. month secretly named but only known to the printing industry? 

The only missed issue I can recall possibly Model Maker? was a printing strike in the dim and distant past due to union 'issues'.

Regards
Roy

[phil_parker]

Well said Colin, I am looking forward to the August edition. 

Going back over the years we did have a time when Model Boats 'management' insisted on 13 issues per year, very confusing.  This bear of limited ability could only relate to months unless there is a 13th. month secretly named but only known to the printing industry? 

The only missed issue I can recall possibly Model Maker? was a printing strike in the dim and distant past due to union 'issues'.

Regards
Roy

Practical Classics, BRM, ModelRail all produce 13 issues a year and I'm sure there are others. It's a constant 4-week cycle which works well for many publishers. A Spring issue is usually inserted into the run to bring the months back in line each year.

[gingyer]

. Don't forget, people like Colin Bishop are around to advise as well.

Talk about the final nail in the coffin! That’s it totally doomed 


I’m glad it is someone from outside the model boating world To be honest the magazine does seem to get a bit repetitive after a while maybe the new editor will spark up some new interest and see something potentially that’s been missed before...
So good luck to her and I look forward to getting my next magazine throught the post. 

[Colin Bishop]

Talk about the final nail in the coffin! That’s it totally doomed 

I'm basking in your confidence then...

Colin

[SailorGreg]

Hooray!  I look forward to late July.  And I wish Lindsey a long, enjoyable and successful tenure of the editor's chair.

Greg

[TheLongBuild]

Well said Colin, I am looking forward to the August edition. 

Going back over the years we did have a time when Model Boats 'management' insisted on 13 issues per year, very confusing.  This bear of limited ability could only relate to months unless there is a 13th. month secretly named but only known to the printing industry? 

The only missed issue I can recall possibly Model Maker? was a printing strike in the dim and distant past due to union 'issues'.

Regards
Roy

Yes the July 1959 issue…. was Not printed due to a printers strike
The February & March  1974 issues  were combined due to the 3 day week.( I think)

Good news that it is to start up again..  Just need everything else to now..
 

[dougal99]

Going back over the years we did have a time when Model Boats 'management' insisted on 13 issues per year, very confusing.  This bear of limited ability could only relate to months unless there is a 13th. month secretly named but only known to the printing industry? 


Roy

You wouldn't have liked my job then, when I was asked to write an accounting system that could cope with a 15 month year! No late invoice worries, everything paid in year, sorted!! 

[Martin (Admin)]

Does that matter, Martyn didn’t have any experience either when he first started. I’ve already been contacted by Lindsey and the design team to continue my article series  and the vibes I felt were very positive. I’ve had regular contact in the last 48 hours to ensure that I was happy with any changes they had made to my article and I must admit that that she has had a positive input to the series.
I’m happy to see magazine back and up and running. Be supportive and contribute where you can.
 

                                  Sorry Nick, couldn't resist! 

[ballastanksian]

Oh, I am sorry that Martyn has gone. I liked his handling of Military Modelling in it's final year or so of publication, and do think he did well with Model Boats Magazine.


Naturally I wish Lyndsey every success with the magazine as it hopefully starts to return to print and look forward to seeing how it comes together.

[coch y bonddu]

Wey hey our Monthly PORN mag is back thank GOODNESS for that 




Dave

[modboat]

Having seen all the previous comments as a business owner nearly all have a % of being correct, however.
Keeping it simple please be aware of the following.


Any business has to be profitable, even a charity.
Not all Magazine content will suit everyone, 50% positive one month, 90% the next.
This world changes on a weekly basis, try keeping everyone interested every month on one subject.


Accountants are accountants, modellers are modellers yes they will overlap.


I personally thought the magazine was good yes it has been up and down over the years, but i would not want to do the task.


Good luck to Martyn and also the new editor and I look forward to more issues way into the future.


As I was once told when complaining to an old boss years ago, if you do not like the way it is, do what I did.
Risk your home and your finances
Work long hours
And bloody well do it yourself and see if you can do any better.


I did and here I am with my own business.


So I now pass it on, with all the comments above, if anyone thinks they can do better.
DO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


I bet you don't, but if you do I will subscribe for life (providing it was model boats)


Now theirs a challenge that will never happen


Come on boys lets get back to building boats and enjoying ourselves the best we can.
 




 

[Taranis]

Subscribed to 3 months for starters 

[modboat]

Been subscribed for last five years to model boats and still going.


Anyone starts a new mag I will subscribe to it for life provided its to do with model boats.

[roycv]

been buying the mag for quite a while as well.  Bought my first Model Maker in 1955 for 2/-.
Roy