If you are not a subscriber to the Hatchet

Stefani · Post by **Stefani** » Thu Jul 28, 2005 11:15 am

If you have not subscribed to The Hatchet: Journal of Lizzie Borden Studies, and would like to buy a print copy, you can purchase a bound high quality print copy through LuLu.com. The price is $8.00 plus shipping (subscribers can purchase the hard copy at a discount---see the subscriber page for details).

Right now the issue price is the cover price, but that is only because this is a black and white issue. Color issues will cost almost $20 per issue. This is a test for me so if you do buy the print copy there, please post your comments here so I can get some feedback from those who may prefer one over the other. I won't know which direction to go unless people tell me!

Here is the direct link to my Author's page at LuLu.com.

http://www.lulu.com/PearTreePress

Stefani · Post by **Stefani** » Fri Jul 29, 2005 12:50 am

I bought myself a copy and it arrived today. It is GORGEOUS!!! I AM IN LOVE! Not with myself, but with the feel and look and thrill of seeing the magazine in 3D!! I highly recommend you get a copy this way. I am very impressed with the printing. I had tried printing an issue using CafePress and was not happy at all with the results. This is very high quality. Ooh la la!

pigeonsandpears · Post by **pigeonsandpears** » Fri Jul 29, 2005 1:02 am

I'm very tempted to buy a copy through Lulu! I don't like the idea of paying for something and not having an actual physical copy. Know what I mean?

Haulover · Post by **Haulover** » Fri Jul 29, 2005 8:20 am

i'm going to have one.

diana · Post by **diana** » Sat Jul 30, 2005 1:33 pm

Read the Hatchet from virtual cover to cover and loved it -- as usual! I went in to order a hard copy from Lulu (at the Hatchet subscriber price) but shipping across the border cost twice as much as the magazine itself (and that's for delivery in 10-15 days). This brought the price for a single copy up to almost $24 Canadian.

So I think I'll just print out a few articles, save the rest of the mag in pdf format, and forego the pleasure of what sounds like a beautiful version of this issue.

theebmonique · Post by **theebmonique** » Sat Jul 30, 2005 3:13 pm

I apologize if this is a dumb question, but on the Lulu page, I see two copies of the latest HATCHET. One is $5, and one is $8. Is the $5 copy the subscribers version/price, and the $8 one the non-subscribers version/price ? Again, I apologize if my question is lame.

Tracy...

diana · Post by **diana** » Sat Jul 30, 2005 3:20 pm

I was confused by that, too, Tracy. No -- the five dollar one is the pdf version, I think. And the eight dollars is for the hard copy.

But if you're a Hatchet subscriber -- use the Lulu link on the Hatchet site itself -- it will take you directly to the special offer for subscribers.

theebmonique · Post by **theebmonique** » Sat Jul 30, 2005 3:22 pm

OK...I am an idiot. The $5 one is the one you download and print-out yourself. The $8 one is the bound, hard copy you receive in the mail. Whew...sorry for my idiotness. We will still be able to go the the 'old' HATCHET link and download/print-out from there too....right ?

Tracy...

p.s. I know there's another thread about this already, but I must say in this thread how WONDERFUL this most recent HATCHET is ! I am re-reading it right now...want to make I didn't skip over anything in my excitement.

theebmonique · Post by **theebmonique** » Sat Jul 30, 2005 3:24 pm

Thanks Diana ! Our postings 'crossed' in transit.

Tracy...

diana · Post by **diana** » Sat Jul 30, 2005 4:34 pm

You're welcome, Tracy. Obviously you were only "an idiot" (your words, not mine) for a matter of minutes!

It took me much longer to get it straight.

theebmonique · Post by **theebmonique** » Sat Jul 30, 2005 5:01 pm

OK...another question about the Lulu deal...we would still pay for our HATCHET subscription ($35 or $29), and then if we want a bound copy rather than print it out ourselves, we would pay the additional Lulu issue price & shipping charges...right ?

My math may be off a TINY bit, plus I 'rounded' off a little too...but here's what I am thinking...'outloud'/on paper:

1 year HATCHET subscription - $35 ($5.83/issue) or $29 ($4.83/issue)

Plus: Lulu print/bound copy $6.50 + $2.46 (media mail-cheapest) s/h per issue

So...all printed nicely/bound/delivered to your door:
$88.74/year, $14.79/issue for B/W---add $5 per issue for color ?...$118.74 year/$19.74 issue
or
$82.74/year, $13.79/issue for B/W---add $5 per issue for color ?...$112.74 year/$18.74 issue

Now...in printing it myself I can usually get 2 HATCHET issues, plus the things I print for personal and school use per set of 1 color & 1 B/W ink cartridges ($50).

I figure, half of the ink I use is for THE HATCHET...so my yearly ink cost for THE HATCHET would be approx. $75.

Paper is about $3/ream. So, about 1.7 cents per page. The Hatchet averages about 70 pages I am thinking. So in paper, $1.10/per issue.

I did not figure in the cost of wear and tear on my printer, or the stress of occasional downloading/printing problems, etc.

So...for color copies (since THE HATCHET usually comes in color)...to let a membership & Lulu take care of EVERYTHING, it will cost approximately:
A. $118.74/year or $19.74 per issue (premium membership)
B. $112.74/year or $18.74 per issue (regular membership?

If I 'do it' myself...it will cost approximately:
A. $117/year or $19.50 per issue (premium membership)
B. $111/year or $18.50 per issue (regular membership)
Remember...this does not include the wear and tear on the printer, the time it takes you to download and print...binding in any way.

Since there were some things not figured in, plus just for convenience sake, it sounds to me like the subscription/Lulu combo is the way to go overall.

Are my figures way off ?

Tracy...

pigeonsandpears · Post by **pigeonsandpears** » Sat Jul 30, 2005 5:10 pm

Wow Tracy! You did all thew work for us! Thanks!

diana · Post by **diana** » Sat Jul 30, 2005 5:53 pm

In the first post on this thread Stefani writes:
Right now the issue price is the cover price, but that is only because this is a black and white issue. Color issues will cost almost $20 per issue.

So that may affect your calculations somewhat, Tracy.

theebmonique · Post by **theebmonique** » Sat Jul 30, 2005 6:01 pm

I remember Stef mentioning that color copies would be almost $20...so when I was figuring...I added $5 to each copy to allow for color copies...maybe I messed up ?

So...all printed nicely/bound/delivered to your door:
$88.74/year, $14.79/issue for B/W---add $5 per issue for color ?...$118.74 year/$19.74 issue
or
$82.74/year, $13.79/issue for B/W---add $5 per issue for color ?...$112.74 year/$18.74 issue

Tracy...

FairhavenGuy · Post by **FairhavenGuy** » Sat Jul 30, 2005 9:00 pm

Just a comment from somebody who has published a printed, stapled together paper magazine once a month for 45 months now and has made a profit since issue #1. Our magazine (5,000 copies a month) is distributed free at more than 75 locations in and around our town.

What pays for the magazine is, of course, the advertising. Publishers pay for the writing, the art, the photography, and the printing, plus make a profit with the money from the advertising. (We pay our contributors $1 a column inch for text and between $5 and $20 per photo.) Generally speaking when you pay a cover price for a magazine or buy a subscription, that money simply pays for distribution/delivery of the magazine to you--either by mail or through a store (which makes some money for selling it).

Although it is beautiful to read a 60 or 70 page color magazine with little or no paid advertising in it, it does cost the subscriber dearly.

I don't know how many subscribers Hatchet has, but it seems to me that a few good advertisements (say from the B&B, for example, or other businesses that might want to reach Lizzie fans--true crime and mystery publishers, etc.) would bring the cost of the magazine down.

Stefani · Post by **Stefani** » Sat Jul 30, 2005 10:19 pm

Yes, Fairhaven Guy, you are right. Magazines are paid for by advertising. I never went there. Right when I started the journal the B&B was being sold, Martha was impossible to reach, and I was doing favors with the Historical Society to put their ad in because they granted me an interview.

I have no ads. I am not a marketer, just an author/designer who has a love of the subject matter. That is why I was excited about LuLu and the black and white issue. I think if I do the magazine in B&W I can keep the printing costs very low. In addition, I was thinking of lowering the subscription price next year since members will have to pay extra for a printed copy. But then, I am new at this game and am experimenting with what works, what people want, and what looks good. Sometimes those three things are entirely at odds with one another.

The feedback so far has been very helpful. Thank you everyone!

Kat · Post by **Kat** » Sat Jul 30, 2005 10:27 pm

Does anyone want to buy an ad?

Stef created an ad for Len's book too, just as an unasked for favor because he is so helpful.

Your publication is cool, Christopher and I am bringing it with me!

stuartwsa · Post by **stuartwsa** » Sat Jul 30, 2005 10:56 pm

I would buy an ad, if I could afford it. But then I would have to have a camera-ready ad, and that might be beyond my computer capabilities (and I'm speaking of myself, not my computer!).

Stefani · Post by **Stefani** » Sun Jul 31, 2005 1:11 am

I can design an ad too, I did for Len and the Historical Society. I have plans to market the magazine. I have recently done a press kit which, after I come back from Fall River, I plan on uploading onto the Hatchet site. You can get it there and see my rates.

It is funny all this is being discussed when I have been thinking all about all of it for months now. Have you guys been reading my mind?

Chace · Post by **Chace** » Tue Aug 02, 2005 9:50 pm

Looking at the poll only 4 people voted. How many paid subscribers to The Hatchet are there?

I have a business (book store) and would place an ad if I thought the outreach would be a viable course. I've looked through past postings regarding the hatchet and the same six people respond each time it comes out and they seem to be contributors (writing articles). So I am interested in knowing the "circulation" of this publication. Thank you for any information you can provide.

I don't like to post on forums, but I do look in at many of them. This one is pretty good.

Stefani · Post by **Stefani** » Tue Aug 02, 2005 10:21 pm

Welcome Chase!

There are a heck of a lot more subsribers than 4 to the hatchet! But I asked the poll question before eveyone who wanted one in print had time to order it and get it and evaluate it and respond. PLUS, not everyone who is a subscriber is a member of this forum. Many of my subscribers lurk but do not post, and some stay away completely, for whatever reason.

I wouldn't take a poll number response at face value.

theebmonique · Post by **theebmonique** » Wed Aug 03, 2005 2:02 am

Chace,

Welcome to our forum !

I respond EVERY time when the newest HATCHET comes out...and usually more than once. I have never written any articles, or had anything else on the THE HATCHET.

How did you become interested in the Borden case ?

Tracy...

stuartwsa · Post by **stuartwsa** » Wed Aug 03, 2005 9:01 am

Chace is an old Fall River name, isn't it? I believe that James Chace wrote of his memories of growing up there in a book called "What We Had." any relation?

Audrey · Post by **Audrey** » Sat Aug 20, 2005 3:41 pm

I always print the magazine to carry with me. Sometimes I print it all and other times I print selected pages. I do not enjoy reading it on my computer!

I would love to see one of the Lulu copies and then make a decision. I would NOT want to wait for it to come in the mail though... I usually zip to download page the moment I see Stef's announcement that it is available!

I would not mind seeing ads in the Hatchet. Especially if it meant that Stef would have additional revenue to work with, thus providing her with funds to entice more articles, photos, etc.

I do subscribe to several magazines that are ad free. "A Taste of Home" and others along that line. (A gardening one and several other recipe ones.) These magazines are more costly to subscribe to or buy at the newstand but they are worth it. They are slimmer and one does not have tons of those dreadful card stock inserts to pull out.

These magazines are also published every other month.

What it all comes down to for me is what would be more advantagous for Stefani. If (Like Len Rebello) ordering the magazine directly from Stefani means more money for her to invest back into the magazine-- that is what I will do.

On a side note-- I would be interested to know the circulation #'s!

FairhavenGuy · Post by **FairhavenGuy** » Sat Aug 20, 2005 5:27 pm

I, too, would be interested in knowing circulation figures. Since folks who are interested in Lizzie might be traveling to our area, there's a possibility the Town of Fairhaven Office of Tourism could advertise in Hatchet.

When you get your rates and other materials ready, Stef, send 'em to me, please.

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