Tuesday, April 21, 2009 MagaScene Volume 60

AMPA Volunteer of the Year 2009

Every year, volunteers give countless hours of time to causes they are passionate about—the magazine industry is no exception. Volunteers at magazines juggle disparate duties be they directly related to the production of a magazine, as board or committee members, or with face-time at related events.

Every year, AMPA volunteers are nominated for their contributions. The winner is honoured nationally at Magazines Canada’s celebration in Toronto at the MagNet event.

This year’s winner is Erinne Sevigny, president and managing editor of Other Voices: Journal of the Literary and Visual Arts. At 19 years old and a full-time college student, Sevigny took the reigns of Other Voices, which at the time was at risk of folding after 17 years of publishing.

According to nominator and assistant editor Evelyn Pham, Sevigny taught herself “how to publish a magazine, maintain financial records, develop tracking systems for submissions, manage volunteers and develop promotional strategies.” Sevigny’s dedication is so fierce that she even maintained her full duties while teaching in France for eight months. Congratulations Erinne!

MAGAZINE SPOTLIGHT:


Lit Mags Stuffy and Boring? Not true, says Other Voices’ Evelyn Pham


Alberta alone is home to many flourishing arts and literary titles, such as dandelion, filling Station, FreeFall, Notebook, Other Voices, and Prairie Journal. But do you know what they are, exactly? Typically literary magazines are non-profit entities devoted to publishing fiction, poetry, essays, visual arts—types of writing and art borne of passionate minds that often go underappreciated. The content is fresh, bold and perhaps unconventional.

AMPA chatted to Other Voices’ assistant editor Evelyn Pham about literary magazines and why, even in a chilly economic climate, staff are willing to work for free (or close to it!).

AMPA: For those who are not aware—what is a literary magazine?
Evelyn Pham: Literary magazines are different from commercial magazines in that they feature a wide array of short stories, poetry, essays and reviews. They’re not only a reflection of art, culture and ideas, but they're often launching pads for new and emerging writers and artists. Some of the best stories I've read were found in lit mags.

AMPA: What would you say to convince someone who's never read a lit mag before to read one? Any misconceptions you'd like to dispel?
Pick one up and just read it. There are so many lit mags that exist in Canada alone, each with its own mandate and mission. Find one that fits your interests and niche. It wouldn't be fair to characterize them as the same—which is something I often hear from people. There's this idea that a lit mag is this stodgy, boring little periodical with some artsy stories and poems that no one without a background in writing or the arts would understand—that's definitely not the case. Literary magazines have content that anyone can relate to and connect with.

AMPA: From a staffing and organizational standpoint, how are lit mags different from consumer magazines?
I want people to understand that most literary magazines are run completely by volunteers and with limited funds. It's not an easy task when you have so many difficulties to contend with, but for anyone who has been part of a literary magazine it really is a labour of love--I speak from experience! We do this because we enjoy being part of the writing and publishing industry, helping writers and artists find a small measure of success.

AMPA: How would you describe Other Voices' editorial focus?
Originally, the magazine was created to offer women writers a place to share their stories. While our focus has changed over the years, we are still drawn to female artists and we are certainly proud of our feminist roots, but it's no longer our main focus. Our name is emblematic of what we want to share with readers, so over time, our editorial focus has evolved to simply providing new and emerging writers with an opportunity to share their "voice".

We seek stories that reflect diversity and offer different cultural and sexual perspectives. We are committed to helping underrepresented voices find space to be heard, so we try to keep an open mind as to what we publish. Stories, poems or art that push the boundaries don't scare us; we want editorial that evokes a reaction from readers—ones that make a lasting impression.

In that way, lit mags share a common goal with all magazines—to connect with readers.

www.othervoices.ca

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Ed note: Subscribe to Other Voices or any Alberta magazine during May and June and receive a free gift of a set of four of our cheeky magnets, created by Calgary artist Paul Abrey. www.albertamagazines.com/subscribe

News

Eco-paper initiatives protects millions of hectares of rainforest

The Great Bear Rainforest’s 2 million hectares have been formally protected, thanks in part to the support of the Canadian magazine industry and all the eco-paper policies spearheaded by Markets Initiative (MI). Read press release.

The forest is a boon in terms of carbon stored per hectare, and with its protection, First Nations communities have the chance for a prosperous and sustainable future.

Over the past ten years Markets Initiative has worked closely with its environmental allies working to secure protection in the Great Bear Rainforest. MI engaged many publishing and print partners to encourage the BC government as well as the pulp and paper producers in the region to (initially) reach the GBR Agreement, and in more recent years, to actually live up to that commitment. Over the past ten years, many of the companies we work with have participated in this campaign.

As part of the Great Bear Rainforest Agreement:

• 2.1 million hectares of British Columbia's Great Bear Rainforest has been formally protected

• $120 million in new financing is already flowing into local and First Nations communities to kick start new conservation economies in the region

• Regulations set for ecosystem based management (or “lighter touch logging”) – these regulations put an additional 700,000 hectares of high value forests off limits to logging

Congratulations to all the environmental organizations involved for their tenacity and commitment to providing a legacy and leader for the world.

 

Mount Royal launches Profiles West
A new magazine about the people, personalities and passions of Western Canadians

Read about some of the most interesting people to come out of the Canadian west. Mount Royal’s Faculty of Communications Studies launches Profiles West, a bi-yearly magazine dedicated to telling stories of compelling westerners.

In the inaugural online issue, you’ll find full-length profiles of Calgary hockey figures, Rick Alexander (founder of the National Sport Development program) and University of Calgary Coach Danielle Goyette.  They are joined by political profiles of Alberta MLA Harry Chase and Independent federal candidate Kirk Schmidt.

Check out Profiles West online at: www.profileswest.ca/

The first print version is being offered as a supplement to The Calgary Journal. www.calgaryjournalonline.ca/

For more information or to interview a student author contact:

Terry Field, Chair
Department of Journalism
Mount Royal
Office: 403.440.6189
Email: tfield@mtroyal.ca

Events

Web & Print: Profit from Two Platforms

Thursday April 30, 2009

Free event!


In this digital world, how does a print magazine build readership and revenue while also building an online audience?

With Transcontinental's seminar Web & Print: Profit from Two Platforms, get insights into how you can arrange the perfect marriage of your print publication and your website.


The Calgary Italian Club
416 1st Ave. NE, Calgary

Seminar at 3 pm
Cocktails & Hors d'oeuvres from 5:15 pm to 6:30 pm
Publishers Bocce Ball Tournament at 6:30 pm

REGISTER here: www.transcontinental-printing.com/print&web


Learn more about:

· Realizing more revenue and reducing costs through integration

· Integrating a publication's content into different platforms

· Enhancing your print publication through multimedia efforts

· Integrating your sales efforts

· Keeping current in the digital age

· Finding the resources to support your online property within limited budgets for execution

This seminar will prove valuable to:

· Small, medium, and independent publishers

· Marketing executives

· Advertising directors

· B2B, B2C, and specialty publishers


Speaker Martin White specializes in advising magazine publishers on best practices integrating print and Web. He has also consulted for major Canadian media organizations including Rogers Media, Harco Publishing and Kontent Media. He has held major management positions in publications ranging from Time Canada and Toronto Life to Wedding Bells and Vantage magazine.

 

Calgary Education Fair

Saturday May 30, 2009


Don't miss the Calgary Education Fair! This unique event will connect parents, students (and teachers!) with up to 108 exhibitors covering everything education from preschool to post-secondary. The day will include learning workshops, a used curriculum sale and fun, family edu-tainment on the Fair stage! Those who are looking at going to university next year, need help with a struggling reader, or want to know their education options should attend this show!

9:00 am to 4:00 pm
Thorncliffe Greenview Community Centre

5600 Centre Street North, Calgary

Tickets are $10 in advance or $15 at the door.

Students under 18 years free with adult.

Tickets available at 1.888.222.6608 or online at www.calgaryeducationfair.ca

 

2009 Mags University - The Magazine and Internet Publishing Conference

The Old Mill Inn, Toronto, ON

June 1 - 2, 2009

Professional development, networking opportunities and nightlife come together to create this premiere national publishing event.

Attend to learn, to meet with and be recognized by your professional peers, to identify trends, increase your skill set and refine your marketing and editorial strategies.

Learn more about this year's sessions, workshops and keynote speakers at the MagsU website.

 

MagNet - Canada's Magazine Conference

Toronto, ON

June 2 - 5, 2009

MagNet - Canada's premiere public policy, professional development and networking conference for magazine professionals   With over 75 sessions, workshops and keynote speakers from North America's top magazine publishing leaders, thinkers and visionaries this conference is a must attend event with something for everyone!

For full details check out the MagNet website.

 

Contests

Alberta Views Annual Short Story Competition

Deadline for entries: June 30, 2009

Alberta Views will be accepting submissions to its annual Short Story Competition until June 30, 2009. Alberta Views has been publishing original fiction by Albertans for over 11 years, and is proud to host the only short story competition specifically for Albertans.

A few guidelines:

* Stories should be no more than 3,000 words and must be previously unpublished.

* Please include a separate cover letter with story title and author's name.

* The author's name must not appear on the story itself.

* The $30 entry fee includes a one-year subscription to Alberta Views magazine.

* The winner will be published in our December 2009 issue and receive a prize of $1,000.

* The contest is open to all residents of Alberta except employees of Alberta Views.

* Please include a SASE if you'd like your manuscript returned. (Please don’t send originals.)

Please mail your submission to:

Alberta Views Short Story Contest

Suite 208 - 320 23rd Avenue SW

Calgary, AB T2S 0J2

Or e-mail: shortstory@albertaviews.ab.ca

www.albertaviews.ab.ca

 

32nd Annual International 3-Day Novel Contest

September 5 - 7, 2009

For more than 30 years, hundreds of writers have stepped up to the challenge every Labour Day weekend, fuelled by nothing but adrenaline and the desire for spontaneous literary nirvana. It’s a thrill, a grind, a 72-hour kick in the pants and an awesome creative experience. How many crazed plotlines, coffee-stained pages, pangs of doubt and moments of genius will this year’s contest bring forth?

For more information and registration guidelines check out the website:

www.3daynovel.com/

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To UNSUBSCRIBE from MagaScene, please send an email with the subject "UNSUBSCRIBE" to ampa@albertamagazines.com.

MagaScene is written and compiled by Anh Chu. To be in included in the next issue of MagaScene, please send an email to ampa@albertamagazines.com.