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Writers News - To resubscribe or Not to resubscribe, that is the question...
....but what is the answer?
In another thread on this forum several people seem to indicate that the content is just not there, which I have to say was one of the reasons I gave up subscribing. That and I was moving country and needed the dosh.
So, now that I have some spare dosh, spare as in I have yet to spend it, should I resubscribe or should I look for - gasp - an alternative?
Your views please.
Comments
I had my first set of questions from the WM/WN Readers Panel this week. So it will be interesting to see what changes occur over the next six months.
WN has the advantage of lots of market news which WF doesn't have. Plus you can't buy WN in the shop.
The only other one I've seen that is a similar style is (I think) an American one and I know Waterstones have it in their magazine section- sorry can't remember what it's called.
However, I changed my mind and just opted for the magazine. I still flick without reading.
I shan't renew next time and I shan't change my mind. Or will I?
http://www.writersnews.co.uk/store/cart.asp?action=add&item=11927&count=1
That's the deal I would be interested in as WM was stacking up unread last time I subscribed...
But the comment about strong characters is true: they will monopolise the meeting and the shy person doesn't get a look in.
What is really needed to keep everyone happy is a motivated, fair-mained person in the chair who ensures everyone gets their moment of glory at every meeting. Someone who is able to tactfully get the monopolisers to shut up when it's someone else's turn.
I think it all down to what you want from a magazine and it's far easier than carrying a laptop around just to find out what is going on in the world of publishing. With a magazine you can fold it in half and take if off to the doctor or dentist waiting room to read. By far it's hell of alot better than some of the magazines you find in the waiting rooms I visit.
I like WN for the reasons given above and I tend to skim read WM, always interested in the winner to see what appeals to the judges for my own research purposes and to read the short story article.
Must admit I have never thought about unsubscribing.
I'll take a look at my bank account today (had a heavy weekend - bought a DAB radion so I can hear radio 4 in the kitchen) and if I think I can afford it, I might try it again for another year.
Still deciding, RG, very much still deciding. If I make some money this year from writing, it will stay as a direct debit, otherwise, if it is crunch time, it is one thing that can go without breaking my heart.
WN is useful for the leads and opportunities it provides, while I always find WM an interesting if not always useful read. I think WM does overdo the 'author profile' content of the magazine (but aren't these the people we are hoping to emulate?) but overall, for a magazine on writing aimed at general readers as well as writers, I think it does a pretty good job.
[quote=kateyanne]I'm not a great lover of WN. Sometimes when I check out web sites they suggest I can't find them. Perhaps it's me! [/quote]
Yeah, I remember that problem too... I know that the staff on WN aren't the most technically minded, but you would think they had discovered by now how to add a TINYURL to their copy.
The other thing I hated was competitions with incorrect and sometimes nonexistent details!
On a different note, Marie Claire has an offer of big savings on its subscription this month - £12 for 12 issues! (It's usually £3.30 an issue if you buy it in the shops.) Does this suggest they are desperate?
Still, the arguments for subscribing to WN only are compelling....
Perhaps we should look at this again next year to see if it has improved.
Did anyone else here volunteer for the WN/WM Readers Panel?
Did you volunteer Carol?