American Fencing Magazine

[theLuz]

I got the latest issue of American Fenicing magazine yesterday. It was full of ads for fencing camps all over the country in August. WTF? It was September 10 when the mag came? It also said we would be able to register on-line by July 31, 2009. WTF?

[oiuyt]

I got the latest issue of American Fenicing magazine yesterday. It was full of ads for fencing camps all over the country in August. WTF? It was September 10 when the mag came? It also said we would be able to register on-line by July 31, 2009. WTF?

I have not yet received my copy, so am basing my response on what was posted above.

There were major publication delays for this issue. When that gets added to typical magazine lead times you can end up with a significant amount of out-dated information. It sounds like you've noticed some such examples.

-B

[unlikelysuspect08]

I've never actually recieved a copy of the magazine despite my usfa membership. I'd love to point out its flaws though.

[teacup]

Does the USFA make money from the publication of American Fencing Magazine? If it isn't a major profit source, why not just publish online?

Also is there any way to stop receiving multiple copies?

[tchwojko]

It also looked like there were some gaping holes where advertisements ought to be.

[Katherine]

I received mine yesterday as well. It's labeled as the "Summer 2009" issue and it is wrapped in a handy reminder to renew my membership before July 31, 2009...

[oiuyt]

Does the USFA make money from the publication of American Fencing Magazine?

Line 58 in the budget report available on the website.

-B

[Phrogger]

If I was a camp that paid to advertise, I'd want my money back for the late publication.

I looked into advertising in AF a while back but the costs were prohibitively expensive ($500 for 1/4 page). I'm not comparing it to major magazine ad prices because it has a comparatively small circulation. I'd be interested in how it stacks up compared to similar magazine ad prices though.

[teacup]

Line 58 in the budget report available on the website.

-B

Thanks!
The projected 2009 - 10 profit is $800.00.

[gladius]

I like to add my comments about American Fencing Magazine.

It is in my opinion one of the best benefits the USFA offers to its members. The content is above average for similar fencing and non fencing publications and is the ONLY source for some very informative and useful articles by several contributors. I learned a lot by reading the articles and I have shared them internationally when I thought the topic was of general interest. They were always very well received.

The photos (mostly by Serge Timacheff) are always great and the season summary of the NAC results were nicely presented. What the magazine lacked in "timing" of the issue it made up with the quality of the product (incidentally the FIE Escrime publication is just as late and not nearly as good in terms of editorial product, though it is improving since Roch's departure).

I admit that one would be hard pressed to pay for an ad which shows up way past the date of the issue, but advertising of a more general nature where timing is not so important, should continue (we always need fencing stuff).

The quality of the magazine and the paper are good and better than similar publications I've seen around here and abroad.

My only complaint is that it used to be easy to access the magazine online in the old days when we had a web site which belonged to the USFA. For me this is important both in terms of accessing archived articles and to get the text of current articles I would like to share with others outside the US (original and translation).

Going to the "accounting" line cited by oiuyt, I am inclined not to believe those numbers. How can a publication which has not changed much in the past 3 years go from a net of budgeted $40,700 for 2008-9 to an anticipated net at the end of 2008-9 of $4,269 (missing the ball by 90%)? Likewise, the budgeted figures for 2009-10 with a projected net of $800 but an increase of 22% in revenue and 28% increase in expenses are unrealistic.

However, money as I often say doesn't tell the entire story, particularly when the numbers come from the USFA. The Magazine is one of the few shining products and if it costs too much to produce on paper, we should at least have it on line, following the trend of all major and minor paper publications. The product is good and we all should be proud and grateful to the contributors and the editor.

My 2 cents.

[Inquartata]

If I was a camp that paid to advertise, I'd want my money back for the late publication.

Would you accept a life membership in lieu of the monies owed you?

[EldRick]

I'd agree that it could be a great benefit of joining USFA, but I've been waiting for 9 months since becoming a member, and have never seen an issue.

USFA, or whoever they farm the publishing/mailing out to, seems to do a really lousy job of managing the subscriptions.

[jjefferies]

The Magazine is one of the few shining products and if it costs too much to produce on paper, we should at least have it on line, following the trend of all major and minor paper publications. The product is good and we all should be proud and grateful to the contributors and the editor.

I would agree with Gladius about the content and the quality of the publication. But I have several observations and questions about the publication. First, while it is a high quality product I will admit to not reading it cover to cover. Paradoxically I have read it more often when I see something in it cited here on f.net. Usually it gets employed as a coffee table sort of thing to leave out and occasionally to scan. In fact if it were online and available from an archive either on the USFA website or here on f.net I think it would probably get more attention. I do try to dispose of older magazines. Sometimes to the local library but more often to the recycle bin. So question: what is the purpose of the magazine?? At one time it was undoubtedly needed to keep the extended USFA membership informed. But today we have f.net which is more timely, interactive (albeit not always correct), and certainly less subject to censorship by the USFA. So what is the current niche occupied by the magazine?? that is besides being a coffee table magazine? A way for the Exec Comm to reach USFA membership? F.net does that better. So what is it's niche? And is it worth the money expended on it?

Inquiring minds and all that.

[Steve Khinoy]

Before i found this thread, I was about to get on f.net and wonder where American Fencing was, since I had paid good money for ads that should have run a month ago. My impression is that there has been some sort of upheaval. I'd be glad for more info.

The magazine (responding to questions about its raison d'etre) is for the overwhelming majority of fencers who aren't on f.net all the time. It's the vehicle by which the organization can communicate with its casual members, by which suppliers and vendors can communicate with buyers. As an advertising medium (which I am necessarily interested in) there is no substitute for it.

Something has gone wrong, and I'd be interested to know what it is.

[Redblade]

I got the latest issue of American Fenicing magazine yesterday. It was full of ads for fencing camps all over the country in August. ...

Dude! "Spoilers" warning, puh-leeease.
You've ruined my reading of the aforementioned magazine.

[Phincer]

USFA, or whoever they farm the publishing/mailing out to, seems to do a really lousy job of managing the subscriptions.

As a family of three, we tried for years to receive only one copy of the magazine. Eventually we gave up. Talk about waste!

How hard can it be to get it right?

[daveappr]

As a family of three, we tried for years to receive only one copy of the magazine. Eventually we gave up. Talk about waste!

How hard can it be to get it right?

When I had several family members belonging to USFA we took a couple of the extra magazines to our pediatricians office - inserted a page with contact info and used it as a tool to spread interest in fencing and our club. We took care to remove our home address and this usually added one or two people to our beginner classes. Lemons- lemonade that sort of thing

[daveappr]

And I admit- I found that idea in a previous post a few years back. Can't remember who posted it or what thread it was in. I hate getting old.

[wbowman]

Good idea! I get two copies, my personal one and one addressed to my club. I usually take that one to the club and give it to one of the newer people who hasn't joined the USFA yet.

[Phrogger]

I got mine Monday. From the editor's column:

During this particular summer, AF may go on a short hiatus. New plans are being laid in the off season to make your favorite magazine better than ever, which may (or may not) result in a delay in getting the next issue to you. Over this off-season, we'd like to hear from you - how can AF be better and more useful to you? Send your ideas to our new contact address, editor (at) usfencing.org and we'll do our best to respond.