Customer Reviews

Magazine Publishing Industry, The: (Part of the Allyn & Bacon Series in Mass Communication)

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(1)

 

 

Don't let the other reviewers sway you; this book is excellent for startups as well as those interested in a career with a major publisher. Less than 100 pages into it I knew what I will be up against when I begin printing my publication.

The book is divided up into the major components of magazine publishing--editorial, advertising, circulation, manufacturing. It is loaded with useful information including management structure, revenue sources, industry jargon, legal issues, and a little history for those interested. This is not a book to be read for inspiration, as many "Start Your Own Business" books tend to be. But if its information you crave, as I do, you'll be just as engrossed as I did.

Most of us interested in starting our own magazine are doing so for the editorial content, not because we want to sell advertising space or execute direct mailings to potential subscribers. Most of us are at least a little familiar with what it takes to create and manage the content. Of particular use to me were the sections on circulation and manufacturing--the not-so-fun, but necessary components of a publication.

The major drawback is, of course, that this book doesn't provide any kind of roadmap to starting a magazine, nor does it provide examples or case studies of small-circulation publications. Of course, that is probably not what the authors were trying to do.

Overall, though, I'm glad I purchased this title.

This book is more a text for communications students than for someone looking for starting a magazine. But that doesn't mean it isn't usefull. The problem is that the book itself isn't very friendly to startups. Their advice is that you shouldn't try making a magazine unless you have half a million dollars. But we know Forbes started much like a cheap newsletter. My advice, buy the book, enjoy the facts and don't lisen to their disscouraging recommendations.

If you are looking for fast-paced, action-packed literary adventure, indeed, you will likely agree with my fellow reader from Iowa. But if your primary desire is for a crash course on the fundamentals of magazine publishing - from editing and producing to marketing and distributing - this book will satisfy you undoubtedly. The authors have grounded their analysis in conventional approaches to the industry, but have placed it against a backdrop of current practices and strategies. This is the fourth book I have read in the past two weeks to prepare myself for an attempt to launch a new publication. The first three books were either too complex, to pedestrian, or simply misguided. I will sit down today and begin to read this book for the second time, and then perhaps even a third.

If you're involved in, or considering a career, in magazine publishing, this book is the best, most practical overview. It has an excellent history of the publishing and printing industry and the evolution of the processes of producing a magazine, along with details on advertising sales and editorial development. It's more than "at a glance," and a great summary of how things get accomplished.

'The Magazine Publishing Industry' really is a complete, insider's guide to the magazine industry, for anyone interested in the business. It examines the current state of the magazine publishing industry in the USA -- social, technological, economic, etc.

This book contains everything you need to know to gain a solid working knowlege of the magazine industry. But it is for professionals, not for startups. Maybe it reads like a textbook for students than for someone looking for starting an independent zine or cheap newsletter. But this book means big business and recomends that you shouldn't try making a magazine unless you have half a million dollars or so. Maybe it sounds not too inspirational for startups but it is honest.

Five years I'm working in this industry in Russia. And I can tell you that this book is written in an interesting manner and this is an excellent introduction to professional magazine publishing.

Written by authors who seem to have eminence in their fields, this book is loaded with information about the practice and history magazine publishing. To understand how work proceeds in an environment governed by tight deadlines and a multitude of processes and sources, this text is a concise presentation of the editorial, production and advertising streams and workflows that make magazines successful businesses. If you are looking for sensationalism, gossip or anecdotes, as a previous reviewer seems to be, than maybe this book isn't for you; but if you are undertaking or considering a career in magazine publishing, than it is a must buy.

This book contains everything you need to know to gain a solid working knowlege of the magazine industry. Facts are current. General magazine operations are addressed. And, unlike the reviewer from Iowa, I thought this books was written in an interesting manner. I took advantage of the glossary and the bibliography. I would highly recommend this book!

This book is an excellent, well organized and inspiring description of how magazines are run, from editorial to production to advertising. An excellent history of the industry is another highlight of this book, and all classes of publications are covered.

The book provided a lot of insight as to how the magazine industry function. I found it to be perfect for a first reader interested in pursuing a career in this field; this book is an excellent choice.

I tried to read this book so many times but I kept falling asleep. It reads like a textbook. Once I finally got through the entire book, I wondered why I even thought about continuing after the first chapter. I kept thinking this HAS to get better -- but it didn't. You have to have a strong cup of coffee and sit in a well-lit room while reading this book just to stay awake. If you really want to learn about the magazine publishing industry and realize that the authors have no intentions of entertaining you, read it. Although, I don't know many people who would sit down and read a textbook just for fun. I really think it is a waste of time for anyone who wants to enjoy what they read.