Also removed from here %% It is what it ,sure no one would be surprised if production was delayed, just hope they do not take the decision to stop the magazine altogether.Larry
Larry
I've started a book on that possibility... PM me for the latest odds.
Dave M
Colin Bishop
What did I do wrong that my thread, that you posted to, on this subject has been removed?
So it was deleted because it wasn't an official announcement?
This is the internet. Once it is out there it cannot be recaptured.
Exactly.
Reading the post on the Marine Engineering site it looks like they are still getting the mag albeit delayed they will still get their 12-13 issues.
Looking at the MB postings it appears a bit more drastic but as MB have deleted the post I am not sure what was said but the post on the MB facebook does not bode well.
Again they need to clarify the situation and not just hope this will go away.
Model Boats mag webpage currently states delivery on 10th and 14th (typo I think?). It also says content will be reduced for a while which sounds reasonable. Having looked at the other posts / links I wouldn't worry too much but looks to me something got leaked somewhere, and facefacrce is mentioned so no surprise.
Time to step back and breathe/ pause?
I just hope the printed mag survives -I was really looking forward to it in a week's time or so when I brave out for a food shop!
Rich
This will probably be deleted but what was posted was, I think, copied here:That was on Facebook and now the whole thread has disiapeared.
https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?3570349-Model-Boats-magazine-%C2%93On-Hold%C2%94 (https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?3570349-Model-Boats-magazine-%C2%93On-Hold%C2%94)
I've not seen anything from the source yet saying it's been placed on hold or terminated?
https://www.modelboats.co.uk/news/article/model-boats-may-2020/27238 (https://www.modelboats.co.uk/news/article/model-boats-may-2020/27238)
I have my issues with the contents of the Model Boats mag but in the words of the Joni Mitchell song "you don't know what you've got till it's gone".
I hope that the whole Coronavirus situation improves and that we can get back to normality and deciding whether each issue of Model Boats is worth buying.
I look forward to seeing the next Model Boats issue after the May 2020 issue.
Unless I am much mistaken there are other magazines in the same ownership. I wonder what, if anything, is happening to them.
The original post was put up by the editor of MB
https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?3570349-Model-Boats-magazine-%C2%93On-Hold%C2%94 (https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?3570349-Model-Boats-magazine-%C2%93On-Hold%C2%94)
The topic appears to have been removed - but not by me.
There is some general information on the Model Engineer Forum:
https://www.model-engineer.co.uk/forums/postings.asp?th=151891
Colin
This is very worrying. During these dark days for all, clarity over the future of one of the rocks of our hobby is very important.
Which will only get worse if they do not come forward to clarify the situation so at least we know what is happening, delayed- reduced output or bookies favourite bye bye mag.
Mr Chorlton has been dismissed I think......Thats a bit of a turn.
Colin
Can we Have some official feedback please? Modelboats website is full of similar threads?
Never seen a Model Boats Mag in Tesco...I get mine each month from Culloden Tesco, regular as clokwork. We're in the same town. WH smiths always has one as well -but I've always got one by the chance I make it to John Menzies. anyway.
I agree- can we stop speculating and talking about what potentially could/would/can/won’t happen.
Until we get an official announcement can we stop please. It doesn’t help anyone and just upsets people- we don’t know what is actually going on behind the scenes and until we do leave it alone.
Not sure this is really speculation as it came from the Editor.
https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?3570349-Model-Boats-magazine-%C2%93On-Hold%C2%94 (https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?3570349-Model-Boats-magazine-%C2%93On-Hold%C2%94)
...................................The subscription ensures that the publishers get all of the money. I think Colin has mentioned elsewhere that the high street outlets charge for having a magazine on their shelves which reflects on how financially viable the magazine is....................................
The delay/on-hold bit yes- everything after that point is speculation. We have nothing to say that the magazine will not continue or that the editor has been dismissed. Until we get an official announcement it’s speculation and adds nothing to what is really happening.
but changing the magazine to be an all inclusive magazine including plastic static model kits has certainly made it a better magazine.
We should support our only magazine and show to the publishers that we do care and will fight for it. :-))
I'm not going to argue with you Longbuild as we do need to support magazines as they help the hobby.
Agree and was not my intention to start any arguments with anyone as I argue enough with my self!! %%
Subscriptions
.......................................I have asked for further clarification on what happens about taking out new subscriptions. If the magazine resumes publication then they would come into effect then, but at the moment there is no information should the suspension last indefinitely.
Colin
Surely they can't take money from cards until you renew its the direct debit is on a limb :} The price for getting it cheaper
The harsh reality is that small circulation magazines rely heavily on subscriptions to keep then going. The amount received through sales on the news stand is a pittance, pennies per issue if you are lucky. While I appreciate that you would like to support the local newsagent, if keeping a model boating magazine on the shelf matters - subscribe. If you really want to support them, subscribe for the digital issue as it saves the costs of shipping paper around and is even more profitable.
The other important factor is advertising. If you buy something following an ad in the magazine, tell the person that's how you found them. This makes ad sales easier and reassures businesses that their money isn't being wasted.
As I understand that you are the editor of more than one magazine your opinions are interesting. I am a little surprised that you view newsagent sales less enthusiastically. If Smiths, for example, don't sell many copies they will remove the magazine from the stock lists of the stores that stock it. Model Boats is not available in all their stores now and could be removed from more/all. If that happens then surely it stops new readers from picking a copy up, thinking it worthwhile & subscribing? The magazine might make more money in the short term if everybody subscribed but longer term?????????????Only one magazine, but I work on others.
Mine arrived this morning. The editorial gives a clear outline of the situation along with a firm commitment to keep producing the magazine, albeit in a more constrained form. It was also clear that a number of contributors (members here perchance?) have offered to keep providing copy even in the face of little or no recompense. I think there is room for optimism, and I dearly hope we keep our hobby's only print mouthpiece.
(And why, oh why, do WH Smith tolerate the "I'll read the interesting bits here then decide if I'm going to buy it - but probably not!" attitude? >>:-( >>:-( <*< <*< )
Greg
MB has had its day so for heaven’s sake, let it depart in peace.
..... At the moment I don't handle things much except after a couple of days or can disinfect / wash or wipe down straight away so I'll have something to look forward to in a day or two.
Martin,
Seems like Tesco except that the stores around here don't have it.
As an aside we all know that Model Boats have a forum/ website that is obviously linked to the magazine. It also has articles etc. For many years I have saved things to my computer and I now have a library on most topics that interest me. It meant that the Photobucket mess did not affect me as much as it did others. I have copied the stuff that interested me from both here and the Model Boats website.
It only takes a push of a button to delete a website (guess!). If a magazine ceased to be published permanently why would you keep it's web site and all that available information?
(And why, oh why, do WH Smith tolerate the "I'll read the interesting bits here then decide if I'm going to buy it - but probably not!" attitude? >>:-( >>:-( <*< <*< )Because you'd have to station a member of staff permanently on that section to move them on, probably with violence. As the staff who lost their jobs at Ian Allen in Birmingham discovered, many of these were very unpleasant people more concerned that they would lose a nice warm place to loiter and shop-soil the books, than the people losing their jobs.
So, essentially you've been freeloading for 60 years? Presumably you still expected to be paid for your job assuming you ever had one. Why? You don't expect others to be paid for theirs.
They do so because it brings people into the shop who may purchase something, which to them, is more useful and gives the shop more profit. Anyway, I’ve be doing it for the best part of sixty years now so I’m hardly likely to stop now am I? Neither would I part with 5+ golden drinking tokens when I can get more and better info on the net. Chaps, MB has had its day so for heaven’s sake, let it depart in peace.
So, essentially you've been freeloading for 60 years? Presumably you still expected to be paid for your job assuming you ever had one. Why? You don't expect others to be paid for theirs.
(And I know I'm feeding the troll. Someone with only 4 posts here is hardly likely to be an expert in what's online for model boats)
Our only magazine has only "had it's day" if boat modellers don't want it to survive. I would hope they don't because I'm inclined to suggest it would show just how the hobby is retreating into obscurity. Of course, if that's what people want that's fine. Just don't moan when it's all over.
Not taking sides but Liverbudgie2 was originally Liverbudgie, and joined in 2006 with over 1400 posts, be came LB2 when he could not access original Monica. Mine says 2012 but was actually before that but a lot of us were reset after a Mayhem Meltdown so LB may have been a member long before that . 8) 8)
[/quoteLiverbudgie is a bit of a dark horse, if I have my facts right%% %% [/size][/color]several books under his belt and a good few articles in Model Boats and an awful lot of photographs. He knows a good bit about modelling and ships etc.[/size][/color]
Not taking sides but Liverbudgie2 was originally Liverbudgie, and joined in 2006 with over 1400 posts, be came LB2 when he could not access original Monica. Mine says 2012 but was actually before that but a lot of us were reset after a Mayhem Meltdown so LB may have been a member long before that . 8) 8)
So, let me get this straight - you were happy to be paid by MB but encourage people to flick through the magazine and not buy a copy? Where do you think the money in your pocket came from? Does "Since my services have been dispensed with" colour your view?
FOI: I freelanced for MB and occasionally MMI, for over thirty years covering such events as the ME, Windermere, MPBA nationals etc; I also covered the International Festival of the Sea events at Bristol, Leith and of course Portsmouth. Other pieces I did included Kit and book reviews. Since my services have been dispensed with I have tried concentrating on my own projects and restoring and maintaining my classic TR6 and Jaguar XJS.
For this period, we are extending to you free access for the foreseeable future to the digital archive containing back issues of your magazine. These issues are available to read whilst connected to the internet. We will continue this until we can be confident that our supply chain has returned to normal.This highlights one of the development digital issues offer - the subscription model allows us to offer all the back numbers. Warners does the same (you can watch a video explanation and demo here (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rz-UoEHZOlI&feature=emb_logo)) and it's popular. You certainly end up with no shortage of reading, and allied to a good search engine, as your interests change, you'll be able to keep looking. The model isn't so different from that for TV and even music. Maybe it is the future?
To activate your archive access (should you do not already have access) please visit https://www.modelboats.co.uk/archive (https://www.modelboats.co.uk/archive) and follow the steps.
Hi please excuse my ignorance here but does the current situation stop a digital edition being produced?
I am taking it to mean that the magazine is going to be digital only for the foreseeable future.
I am cutting my losses now as my experience with digital only publications has not been good.Since you are being given access for free, you might as well at least try it.
No, that is not correct at all if you read the statement and my last post. There are no further issues being produced at all in the immedate future but existing subscribers are now being given access to the back issues (digital archive) going back to 2008 which the terms of their current subscription might not have given them access to. A sort of consolation prize if you like!A bit like 'Britbox' i.e. pay extra for something you've already seen and, in the case of BBC productions, already paid for once.
Colin
A bit like 'Britbox' i.e. pay extra for something you've already seen and, in the case of BBC productions, already paid for once.Assuming you've bought and read every issue for 12 years. If you haven't then there is something new to see.
DaveM
The Special issues I edited a few years ago drew heavily on repackaged older material that many current readers would not have seen. These were well received and many people who'd seen them first time round when they were at their Mother's knees very much welcomed a second look through sheer nostalgia.
That is a stunning front cover- does anyone know who painted it?
What are the chances the entire Model Boats Magazine Forum will be completely deleted overnight? Again.......
We have no idea, please enlighten us...
Colin
Well it happened before, although due to slightly different circumstances, so there is precedent for this. So I would rate the chances of it happening again as not insignificant. But I’m surprised you don’t remember this Colin, being part of the MB Team.....
My motto is grab it whilst you can.
............................................ Should we start downloading items of particular interest?regards
Roy
How interesting that on Modelboats forum all about the recent mag stoppage has been removed. The powers of management with wallet to match. With Subscription payments still being paid And already taken from many I bet they still take a monthly chunk. Another mag MM took subs and still walked away with loads to start up again albeit not mags. Do we see a similar idea by using Covid as a get out. Be careful with it there things may not be what it appears.
How interesting that on Modelboats forum all about the recent mag stoppage has been removed. The powers of management with wallet to match. With Subscription payments still being paid And already taken from many I bet they still take a monthly chunk. Another mag MM took subs and still walked away with loads to start up again albeit not mags. Do we see a similar idea by using Covid as a get out. Be careful with it there things may not be what it appears.
I had decided to take out a subscription to support the magazine. If the current puerile political comment on their website is anything to go by they can forget that.I can't be the only one who rushed there out of curiosity and couldn't see anything. Is it something in the forum?
Beth Ashby at MyTimeMedia is trying to sort these problems out. Have you been in touch with her directly?Not yet, it's normally +20 days "late" for non UK subscribers, I can see that it became available on the 03-04-2020 at Pocketmags so it should have been here now, I'll see if it arrives today if not then I'll contact Beth.
https://www.modelboats.co.uk/forums/postings.asp?th=155114&p=7 (https://www.modelboats.co.uk/forums/postings.asp?th=155114&p=7)
Colin
TicaMaybe you are right, but as I recall my original payment day was also for the May edition so there may be a lack there. I'll contact them after April 30th i the May mag has not arrived.
I think that you are confused,
The May issue of Model Boats was available in the UK from 10 April 2020 and all future issues were suspended from then.
The June issue would have been available from 08 May but has now been suspended. Hence your subscription was suspended from that date. The publisher has said that however many issue are not published then that number will be added to the end of your subscription so that you will still get the right number of issued just spread over a longer time period.
Has anybody heard anything
If Model Boats magazine has gone I wonder if one of the European magazines might start an English version. I picked up a copy of Modellwerft recently & was very impressed.
Ok, so the Mag is not currently not being produced, However surely to retain interest for when it comes back !!, they should be using their Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest accounts, all when you go to them are hardly updated Facebook last post 14th April, Twitter 2017 !!! ( As far as I can tell) .. Pinterest no idea but pics look old.Free to use in money terms, but not in time. Trust me, I'm doing far more digital stuff than pre-lockdown and the mags I work for are still publishing. It's easy to put a full day or more a week into the social media.
These are all free to use so why are they not being used . Not sure what their other sites, forums are like for the other publications.
Free to use in money terms, but not in time. Trust me, I'm doing far more digital stuff than pre-lockdown and the mags I work for are still publishing. It's easy to put a full day or more a week into the social media.
The main issue with this is that the editor is freelance so not being paid. A small outfit like MyTimeMedia doesn't have a load of people sitting around to do the social media. Magazines like this are run on a frayed shoestring!
There speaks someone who doesn't know just how little money anyone gets from on-line advertising. Model boating isn't going to attract the massive (millions) of view required to derive a significant income, and you are selling space to a very small pool of advertisers, most of whom are tiny companies with limited budgets for publicity. If it was as easy as you think, then everyone would be doing it, but they aren't and there is a reason for that.
If they did a bit more advertising using Social Media they might not be on such a frayed shoestring !! Simple Marketing...
There speaks someone who doesn't know just how little money anyone gets from on-line advertising. Model boating isn't going to attract the massive (millions) of view required to derive a significant income, and you are selling space to a very small pool of advertisers, most of whom are tiny companies with limited budgets for publicity. If it was as easy as you think, then everyone would be doing it, but they aren't and there is a reason for that.
Really? They can shout on social media all they like, it doesn't affect the fact that model boating is a minority interest that is never going to sell the sort of numbers that you can carry on without news stand sales. Even Bauer media, a massive company compared to MTM, is offloading titles (https://pressgazette.co.uk/bauer-reveals-plans-to-close-merge-or-sell-ten-magazines-q-planet-rock-simply-you/), every single one of which will be selling more than MB could even in the publishers wildest dreams. Even with the benefit of big name advertisers with proper budgets, they can't all be made to pay.
Actually I know quite a bit about it, I was also not referring to advertising to get money but advertising the Magazine more on their own FB, Twitter accounts to entice people to buy the mag in the first place..
I have also noticed whilst travelling abroad a lot of UK magazines in local languages, maybe with modern technology this is easier?
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.
Has the new editor, Lindsey Amrani, any Model Boat experience? A female editor................hmmm that is a first.
Model Boats next issue confirmed by publisher 31st July.
https://www.modelboats.co.uk/forums/postings.asp?th=155114&p=13 (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.
Well said Colin, I am looking forward to the August edition.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.
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
. 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 {-) {-)
Well said Colin, I am looking forward to the August edition.Yes the July 1959 issue…. was Not printed due to a printers strike
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
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!! %%
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
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.
Model Boats next issue confirmed by publisher 31st July.
https://www.modelboats.co.uk/forums/postings.asp?th=155114&p=13 (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.