Hello all. I was hoping to get a moment of your time here to talk about MenZ Magazine. I started the magazine (which is really the second iteration of the idea, but let’s not quibble) basically to show the main issues men face in more of an understandable grouping of articles, than a link to a website. At that time (as is the case now) plenty of people were coming to the MRA type sites either questioning or criticising our views with the most cartoonish of ideas of who we are.
It was also, frankly, hard to find information on a whole slew of issues.
There was plenty written, but most of it was of quite low quality…basically the equivalent of screaming incoherently at the world. The transient nature of websites made this less of a problem than you might think. But the problem is, great articles and ideas were buried just as easily as the ranting. And the speed the articles were appearing at (and have to, for a successful site) the life cycle of the article was measured in days, not weeks or months, as is the case today. This also meant the articles were necessarily short and usually more opinion than fact.
Which brings me to the point of this missive. I have to make a choice about this magazine. It saps WAY too much of my time and energy, and I just don’t think I can keep up the pace needed to take it to the next level, which is to monetize it and sell advertising.
That said, I can’t just let it die on the vine either. I have way too much time invested in it. And the artist and activist in me just can’t let the opportunity for free exposure go to waste either.
So, I would like to appeal once again to the general manosphere for talent.
There is no way there’s not a ton of artsy people out there, with drawing, illustration, design, photographic, writing, layout, and other skills. There’s no way that some of you can’t use the free exposure of your work, and the ability to put this kind of thing in a portfolio.
You want to think big? What would it be like to be in on the ground floor of a magazine like Ms. Magazine? A recognized pioneer of a movement that changed the world? The producer of an iconic image or concept or logo?
How would you like to be in the History books?
So here’s what I’ve decided to do:
I’m going to post my issues and what I hope to illustrate and have written etc. in advance. I’m going to post the Illustration and photographic desires I have, and leave it open to reader submission. And when it comes time that money can be made from the effort (corporate structure type stuff and money are the only things standing in the way right now) these people will be paid on a per-share of issue basis, likely based on page or word count. Hopefully quite generously.
The last issue hit over half a million views, with an average increase in readership of over 100% issue over issue, I’d say there’s a good chance some people could get their work seen by the right people. If you know what I mean.
I hope to make photo essays a major part of this magazine, if I can find the talents needed.
Issue 6 is sort of in the wings, since I’m still waiting on enough articles around the concept chosen (which is issues surrounding trying to raise boys, and trying to be a boy growing up). If you are interested in participating here is how it’s done, and the process you can expect:
Email me at menz.magazine@gmail.com with a request to be involved, and a short note detailing the skills you bring to bear.
Depending on the type of work you do, you will either receive a list of concepts to work with, and artistic freedom with only the amount of guidance needed or desired, or a request for a portfolio in cases where chunks of responsibility will be dispensed.
These assignments will have due dates that must be adhered to, but will not be onerous. I can make myself available on Skype for any who need that too.
All who participate will have prominent billing, along with links to their respective webpages. Both on the masthead, and on the respective article.
And that’s really it. I know a few of you have offered in the past, and I dropped the ball. I apologize for that, it’s not that your efforts were rejected, it was simple disorganization on my part. So please, don’t hesitate to contact me again.
I use free software (Scribus and GIMP) to produce the magazine, so cost is not a barrier to anyone.
And on a related note, I want to appeal to all the activist groups out there, from RADAR to SAVE to F4J, to contact me regarding a special issue I want to produce, detailing each and every one of your organizations in one issue.
Thanks for your time.
