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"Exhumed" is a darkside fiction magazine a co-op writers'
group has started to publish.

First issue was October 1992 and the upcoming issue will be
published late January 1993.

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We plan to stay with a print format for three main reasons:

1   So we can include graphic illustrations which add to the
    atmosphere of the fiction

2   To remain accessible to the widest possible audience.

3   "Exhumed" offers
    entertainment primarily, something to read in bed, take
    to the cottage or on a plane flight.

Our first issue was complementary and was distributed through
Kingston-area bookstores, at Queen's University and at St. Lawrence
college.

The next issue will have a lot sleeker appearance with a black and
white glossy cover and saddlestiched stapling (i.e. like Time
and Newsweek, staple goes through the fold
on the spine).

Problems we are encountering are mainly (can you guess!) $! $! $!

The local periodical distributor advised us that if he distributed
"Exhumed" it would likely get buried at the back of the bottom
row on the magazine racks where it would not attract attention because of
being only black and white.

Local bookstores tend to be leery of taking magazines on consignment.
I can see their point of view and know that there will likely be
some pilfering .

We have sold some ads to local businesses.  By issue 3 we will have
#2 to show to advertisers which will give us more credibility.  But
the darkside theme tends to seem either too controversial or too
frivolous for some advertisers.


Has anyone tried any kind of printed self-publishing like this?
Any hints would be welcome.

Any hints on how to locate subscribers would be especially welcome.
Darkside fiction has a huge appeal so we know we have to broaden
our reach geographically.

We are also considering offering our editing / critiquing services
(for a modest fee) to beginning writers of darkside fiction.  Any
comments on that one?

Please e-mail me any comments, responses, hints, etc. and I will
post a report of findings here when I have some!

Thank you,

Ruth Bahri