[SEL] Re: SEL Digest, Vol 26, Issue 28

[Richard Backus]

Tommy, we are indeed switching to a bimonthly schedule. It hasn't been an
easy decision to make, but in the end it's really the best way to make sure
GEM sticks around for years to come. As you noted, GEM used to be bimonthly,
from 1966 until 1985, when it went monthly. If you look back at some of
those issues from the 80s and 90s, you can see that the grass roots interest
in old engines was on fire. For example, the August 1993 issue had 52 pages
of ads. We rarely run half that many pages now. In many ways the hobby's
peaked. That doesn't mean it's run its course, but that its big growth cycle
is over and now we have to work with what's in front of us.

I'm not any more excited about it than the rest of you, but assistant editor
Erin Shipps and I see a chance to have more time to research and develop
articles, and while we'll be cutting back on the number of issues, we're
going to increase the number of editorial pages from where it stands now.
I'm pretty confident that when the dust settles we'll discover that we have
a better magazine, even if it's not coming to us as often as we'd like. And
we'll be making sure that GEM is around for many years to come.
Richard  
-- 
Richard S. Backus
Editor-in-Chief/Farm Collectibles
Farm Collector, Farm Collector Show Directory, Gas Engine Magazine and Steam
Traction
1503 SW 42nd St.
Topeka, KS 66609-1265
Phone: 785-274-4383
Fax: 785-274-4305
http://www.ogdenpubs.com
http://www.farmcollector.com


> From: <sel-request at lists.stationary-engine.com>
> Reply-To: <sel at lists.stationary-engine.com>
> Date: Sun, 28 May 2006 12:00:06 -0400
> To: <sel at lists.stationary-engine.com>
> Subject: SEL Digest, Vol 26, Issue 28
> 
> I'm sure most of you have received your letter from the GEM as I have
> noting the changes that will be made in the publication dates of the
> GEM.  We'll soon be going to a Bi Monthly publication meaning you'll get
> one magazine every other month.  I know that business dictates things
> like this happen but I hate to see it.  I can remember the days when it
> was in the bi monthly format and it seemed like a long time between
> issues.  Steam Traction (for those of you that receive it) will be going
> to a quarterly (3 month) publication date.
> 
> Tommy Turner
> Magnolia, KY