The Pyrates Way

Winter Pyrates Way almost Sold Out!

Tue, 19 Feb 2008 01:53:58 GMT

We're down to two 64-magazine boxes of inventory for the Winter issue! OMG. . . we had a rush for Summer. . .so we bought an über-amount for Autumn. . .and although it was an expanded issue, it didn't do as well as we expected so we cut back a bit on the Winter order.

Winter may be the very first issue since the premiere issue that we have to order a second printing!

I really think it's all the PyrateCon stuff that's selling these things so fast. . . . heck the distributor has had them only for six days and already put in an order for a bunch more!

Huzzzah to m'fellow pirates for making us the #1 Selling independent magazine for two of our distributors. . . it's YOU that get the applause, mates.

Thank You.

p-con

Fri, 18 Jan 2008 05:23:37 GMT

Join us at PyrateCon 2008 when we give away full free issues of the Spring magazine to every guest and vendor at the convention! It's our way of saying thank you for your support as we continue on into our third year of publication and the only magazine created BY Pyrates FOR Pyrates!

Check out some of the Spring highlights with a full 16-page PyrateCon highlight including maps, itinerary, background information, and a with a "one-on-one" session with Scarlott Harlott, our Grand Marshall of PyrateCon 2008! (no, this has nothing to do with how hot she thought my tattoo was in LA the other weekend. . LOL. . . we're just friends.)

I have to give credit to good friend Clay and Capt. Dave who gave me one killer tattoo with The Pyrates Way logo dead center of the art. . . doesn't get more pyratical than that!

Back to PyrateCon. . . . The Pyrates Way caravan of vehicles leaves Delaware to MD then DC and onward to an overnight in Roanoke, VA. The we're on the road to Nashville for another overnight (and to kidnap the best wench photographer in the world, Craig) then in The Big Easy a day early to help the PyrateCon folks set up. We give back to the pyratin' community in every way possible.

The Pyrates Way will be set up in the main lobby next to the registration booth with our own animatronic robot "Aaaargyle" who has been heard from in the magazine but never seen before! Subscribers get to pull FREE booty from our huge treasure chest which includes prizes like DVDs, Pyrate Toys, Glasses, free subscriptions, and even $100 in cash!

We'll also be sponsoring both the Pyrate and Wench of the YEAR contests with prizes, trophies and the chance for each winner to see themselves on the cover of America's premier pyrate magazine. . . THE PYRATES WAY.

The Pyrates Way is also giving a portion of our ad revenue from the Spring issue to the charities of PyrateCon 2008 and including subscription/back issues packs as auction items AND giving FOUR original acrylic paintings to be auctioned! Each one of these paintings has been or will be the back cover to The Pyrates Way magazine! (including Autumn07, Winter07-08, Spring08, & Summer08 issues). Own a piece of pyrate history when you bid on any of these great items for a great cause!

But our Spring Issue just begins with PyrateCon 2008. . . we also include the history of Jean Lefitte. . . . an article about where New Orleans folks go for the best food. . . sights of pyracy outside of pyratecon to see. . . and as we've been giving you for three years. . . Hot Wenches (five beautiful ladies who don't need a lot of Photoshop to be beautiful), A feature about a rum you might not know of, Re-Enactor's Corner, The most up-to-date and authentic pyrate events calendar anywhere, reviews of pyrate DVDs, Music, Books (and in Summer, we'll begin reviewing pyrate websites!), Crosswords, Jokes & Cartoons in our Lollygag section, and a Final Salvo dedicated to West Coast pyrates who've claimed just a piece of this old pyrate's heart.

All that plunder for FREE with your PyrateCon 2008 ticket. . . and that's just what we're offering. . . imagine all the other entertainment, lectures, food, rum, dancing, blackpowder, swords, wench auctions and an invasion of the French Quarter by all of our pyrate brethren.

I could go on, but my screen is covered in white-out.

www.pyratecon.com
www.pyratesway.com

FIVE AND WE'RE DONE WITH IT ALL

Sun, 09 Dec 2007 20:27:59 GMT

Five 1/4-page ad spots remain. . . if yer interested in being seen by the entire pyrate community. . . then get yer advertisement into us! 4"w x 5"h x 300dpi and you've got a spot in America's Premiere Pirate Magazine. . . and you only have to part with $250! I surely must be daft to give away m' real estate like that!

When the ads are in, the magazine goes to press. . . and the Winter issue of The Pyrates Way will be within yer fish-scalin' mits by mid-January! Whattaway to start the year, eh mates?

www.pyratesway.com

Autumn's Booty: The Ring Of THE PHANTOM!

Mon, 29 Oct 2007 22:56:42 GMT

I'm getting phone calls and emails from subscribers all over the planet as everyone seems to really love the Phantom rings that have all been mailed! If you haven't gotten yours yet. . .you will this week as the balance of them were dropped off at the post office at 2:30 pm today!

If you got your ring, please let me know by posting here and if you think it was a good booty choice! The ring is actually a hint as to one of the features in the Autumn issue: The Phantom!. .. the only super hero to avidly go after pyrates as his main nemesis!

Magazines are on their way to us as we speak and subscriptions go out just as soon as we have them. All the postage is bought, the labels attached, and the envelopes ready to mail!

We're just a tad excited as this is our biggest and best issue ever!

Happy Hallowe'en

Mon, 29 Oct 2007 00:03:03 GMT

PW Autumn Update

Wed, 17 Oct 2007 05:06:02 GMT

The Autumn issue be at press mates and I should be approving the proofs tomorrow. It takes a few days to print. . . a few more in the bindery. . .then they ship out to the distributor and to us. M'wife and I do all the subscriptions by hand and your booty will be mailed separately this time. . . . because of it's size and bulk.

After all, it bein' our first year of success, we thought we'd share a bit of the booty with ye by giving you a nice piece piece that you can add to yer pyratin' garb and always think of us!

The Autumn issue be EIGHTY-FOUR pages this time. . .that's a full 20 pages bigger than any other issue. . .just to show our appreciation for your kind attendance to our magazine.

All we ask is if one of those advertisers therein be catchin' yer eye. . . please let 'em know you saw 'em in The Pyrates Way! Them thar advertisers is what keeps the magazine price from being raised and the quality of it kept so high!

Be on the lookout for "Savvy" a new (but obviously recognizable) character in this issue's "Grim Lookout" comic, as he appears throughout the margins of the later half of the issue. . . they breed like Tribbles,,, so I'm told.

The Winter issue will be back to the normal 64 pages but we've got great stuff in store for ye. . . as we take a step back in time and look at the pyrate toys we had as kids! Tis a late-holiday tread due out the beginning of January, mates.

Keep yer powder dry, says I,

Steve "The Black Fox" Kimball
Publisher, The Pyrates Way magazine

Pyrates Way ONE YEAR Anniversary Party

Wed, 25 Jul 2007 23:57:09 GMT

On Friday, August 3, 2007 The Piratez Tavern in Silver Spring, MD will be hosting the One Year Anniversary party for The Pyrates Way magazine. From 730-9 will be for staffmembers only but at 9pm the patio will be open for everyone to join in on the party!

The first 100 in the door will get FREE issues of the inaugural Pyrates Way magazine and bring a Sharpee™ because you can have the copy signed by editors, the publisher, wenches of the quarter and even the cover model! You'll also have the chance to purchase the most recent Summer Issue and the opportunity to subscribe!

Piratz Tavern will have a drink special, we're sure, but come on out and party with The Pyrates Way!!

Piratz Tavern
8402 Georgia Avenue
Silver Spring, MD 20910
301 588-9001
quartermaster@piratztavern.com
http://www.piratztavern.com/

Helping out friends in The Pyrate Communities

Tue, 12 Jun 2007 17:15:54 GMT

Aye Mates,

I try not to email you too often about advertising in the Pyrates Way. I usually just send out "feelers" on a monthly basis.

However, something major has changed in our Pyrate community in a big way and we've had to redesign a major article in our Summer issue to compensate.

PyrateCon2008 will be managed by a new group of folks instead of the IPS who attempted to run the conference this year.

The new management has already hired an event coordinator and that of itself is an incredibly positive step toward making the event better, stronger, and more fun.

To support this new group of folks, The Pyrates Way will give a full one-page advertisement to promote the event in every issue of the magazine until the event and then cover said event in our pages.

We're a wonderful community of businessmen, re-enactors, pyrates, and people. If you were a vendor at PyrateCon2007 or will be in 2008, we will give you a 1/4 page advertisement wrapped around our PyrateCon2007 recap for only $200.

We have a limited space as of this time as we were about to go to press, but we'll put the mechanics of it all on hold in order to support the folks who supported each other (and us).

If you're interested in grabbing this last-minute deal, please email me at: publisher@pyratesway.com and I'll send you the link to get your adspace secured.

May your powder always be dry,

Steve "The Black Fox" Kimball
Publisher, The Pyrates Way magazine

www.pyratesway.com

Pirateens™

Thu, 07 Jun 2007 14:55:45 GMT

Ahoy, me hearties, and me one-eyed raven concurs! I'm happy to introduce you to my brand-spankin' new series called PIRATEENS™. Arrr, they're teenage pirates with killer 'tude... and a great sense o fashion to boot. Brave ye be, the first of the bunch can be found waitin' for ye HERE. Hoist the mizzens and haul yer savvy selves on over!

- Paulina

Pyrates Way Update

Thu, 03 May 2007 12:50:41 GMT

Aye maties, we spent a weekend in New Orleans at PyrateCon2007. . . expect a full write-up in our Summer issue (which is the last issue for ye plank owners, so ye better get over to http://www.pyratesway.com/resub.html so ye don't miss any issues to come!).

We also met over 1,000 fellow privateers in the pyrate haunt of Fells Point in Baltimore, MD last weekend where our Spring issue was a huge success. It contains a full article about how the Fells Point privateers saved our nation's collective butt in both the War of Independence and the War of 1812.

The Winter issue is still our biggest seller, chock full of wenches and information.

Of course, our premiere issue is still available and we plan to offer a special signed, sealed, and numbered version soon. If ye be waiting for a collector's item from ye olde Pyrates Way, it be coming mate, so keep yer slops on.

Thar also be a special ad campaign for the best visual ad in the Summer issue with lots of free ad space as a prize.

Don't forget that we run a bulletin board at http://piratesway.proboards98.com/ to discuss all things pyratical AND http://www.pyratesway.com/news.html has all the pyrate news world-wide and is updated daily!

Fair Winds and Following Seas, mates.

Steve "The Black Fox" Kimball
Publisher, The Pyrates Way

JOIN US IN THE KEYS!

Wed, 11 Apr 2007 03:41:58 GMT

The Pyrates Way is planning our very first invasion of the Florida Keys. . .with wenches from the magazine, games, much rum sampling, wenches, a swank room on the beach, fishing, wenches, surfing, sailing, oh and did we mention wenches?

Bring your Pyrate garb or don't. . . it'll be summer in the Keys so YOU decide (I'll be in a cut off shirt to show off my cool tattoo). . . . We'll be shooting for our new 2008 Wenches Calendar and YOU could be part of it! Want to be a wench in the calendar? Want to be a guy with a boner holding a reflective light source just inches from a beautiful half-naked model?

This is FOR YOU! As admirers of The Pyrates Way, we'll be bringing you closer to the magazine than ever before! BUT you'll only get word of this ONLINE. . .right here in the Pyrates Way Bulletin Boards. . . not a word of it in the magazine.

Tell your friends, get a group together, get yourself shown in The Pyrates Way for the pyrate or wench that you are!

More details to come but we plan on giving you a package of great rooms, food, airline prices and more!

If interested, stay tuned to this board or better still, let Steve (the publisher) know you're interested if you're a pyrate, or Craig (the photo editor) know that you're interested as a photo-wench. . . (steve@pyratesway.com, craig@pyratesway.com)!

Updates

Thu, 05 Apr 2007 18:15:18 GMT

The Spring Issue's proofs have just been approved and is continuing into production. We're still set to have copies for sale at PyrateCon2007 and subscriber's issues will go into the mail upon our return at the end of April.

Single issue sales at the website has also been updated to include the winter issue. If you know of anyone that wants the winter issue, send them to: http://www.pyratesway.com/wint0607.html

Also, our wholesale area has been revamped so if you are a pyrate item dealer or would like an opportunity to re-sell issues of The Pyrates Way, head over to: http://www.pyratesway.com/whole.html

Please note and pass the word to those concerned, that the magazine is sent via Media Mail and therefore takes anywhere from 2-9 business days to arrive. I've gotten a few emails from folks who think they've been lost in the subscription shuffle but please fear not. . . the magazines WILL arrive! (case in point: my dad got his in Alabama a week before my son got his in Bel Aire, MD. . . his sister, also in Bel Aire, hasn't gotten hers yet. . . . but all three were sent at the same time!)

I hope you enjoy The Pyrates Way!

Winter Pyrates Way magazine available soon

Thu, 22 Feb 2007 14:04:19 GMT

Sorry for the holdup folks, but we've been waiting for the allotment amounts from our new distributor. On February 28, The Pyrates Way Winter 06-07 goes to press! Which means that you'll get your copy of that issue right on the birthday of The Black Fox (a.k.a., ME, der publisher).

The Ides of March is when it'll start arriving at your door (unless there are any other hangups) and you'll notice 100% improvement in the magazine over the first issue.

Now get out there and spread the word and have folks get their subscription orders in ASAP so that they can get the booty with the issue (only subscribers will get the free booty).

We're expecting the magazine in all the bookstores (via said distributor) by March 20 (i.e. the day before Spring!. . . so it'll STILL be Winter. . .uh. . . technically).

Ahhh, this is old news!

Tue, 16 Jan 2007 04:33:55 GMT

Progress

Thu, 11 Jan 2007 13:23:32 GMT

The Winter issue is moving along famously. I'll be getting all the articles out to the various editors/proofers today and get into correcting what's been edited already.

We're all laid out and there's quite a few spots awaiting their advertisers to send in their ads, but since the deadline is a few days off yet, everyone (like me) is waiting till the last second to spend that $.

Work work work. . . and enjoying a cup of hot coffee for the first time in a few days (tastebuds came back on line last 'eve).

Mon, 25 Dec 2006 19:04:43 GMT

Happy Holidays from The Pyrates Way!
My beautiful Cairn Lizzie models her pirate hat while she snuggles within the black pirate holiday stocking amongst the treasure therein.

Keith Richards: POTC III

Fri, 22 Dec 2006 03:57:06 GMT

The Deadline Approaches

Fri, 15 Dec 2006 20:18:43 GMT

After December 30th, Subscriptions will no longer include our premiere issue nor the Plank Owner's ID Card and Certificate! Of course the new subscriptions at the first of the Year will get the same booty as all subscribers do, (there's free stuff with every issue for subscribers), but the Plank Owner's stuff will no longer be available.

http://www.pyratesway.com/subscribe.html

If you subscribe using paypal and the subscription is a holiday gift for someone, make sure that you send a separate email to: publisher@pyrates way, giving us the address for the subscription and the gift-giver's name and paypal ID. We're sending the gift packages out as soon as we get them and doing so via Priority Mail instead of the ususal Media Mail service (at no extra charge).

The Winter Issue WILL be in all major booksellers come the end of February and the Spring Issue will be rushed through to get it on the shelves at the end of April and the Summer Issue will put us back on schedule and be on the streets in July, ahead of all the Renfaire/Pyratefest activities of the Autumn. We hope to have the Autumn Issue on the shelves on "International Talk Like A Pirate Day" in September.

LISTEN UP MATES

Sat, 09 Dec 2006 04:00:27 GMT

1) December 31 is the cut off for subscriptions which include the "plank owner" certificates and I.D. cards for the magazine. . . at that point they ALL go into the fire pit. There will be NO MORE of them!

2) December 20th is the cut off for the special ad price for the winter issue which will be the first issue to hit barnes and nobel, borders, etc. . . the magazine for that issue will be 32 pages more without a change in cover price. . but will be the last to have the original cover price! (GO FOR IT. . . get your AD in now!)

3) There are so many new and improved items in The Pyrates Way, we can't list them all! Editorial, Art, Photography, Fiction, Comics, Crossword, Ads, Classifieds, Opinions, History, Information, Education, Stories, and even a special "find all the "FSM" prizes of three vials of REAL gold to the top three subscribers who can spot all the FSM background images in this issue! Don't know what FSM'ism is? Then subscribe NOW!

So there you go m'mates. . . all that and more POTC info to boot. . . .the folks who buy our second, expanded-yet-at-the-same-price issue are in for a HUGE treat!. . .and all you subscribers will get some MORE free booty in the next issue!

We plan to have it into your hands by mid-February and it will be on "the streets" probably a week after th

at (it's in Ingram's hands). . . we can't wait. . . you pirates will be über-impressed!

Steve "Sir Black Fox" Kimball
Publisher, The Pyrates Way
publisher@pyratesway.com

Huge News For THE PYRATES WAY

Mon, 04 Dec 2006 20:28:25 GMT

Who says we can't get into Borders and Barnes & Nobles? I just signed the ppwk and Ingram Periodicals will be distributing our own Pyrates Way to thousands of bookstores nationwide starting with our Winter issue!

How GREAT is that?

All I did was send them a copy of the first issue and they LOVED it! Thanx to everyone for helping us achieve this kind of initial success!

www.pyratesway.com

Winter Issue

Fri, 17 Nov 2006 03:53:10 GMT

We're well underway with issue two which should be out at the end of January. We've had such a demand for the first issue that if Borders/Barnes&Noble/Waldenbooks/Booksamillion or any other chain wants them. . . we may very well have to reprint (which is a good thing. . .we moved the balance of the stock this week to a much smaller holding area. . HUZAHHH!)

Anyway, the chance to get the first issue with all the plank owner booty (plank owners = initial subscribers) ends on December 31. I'm pushing now because I know the rest of the first issue is liable to disappear prior to the Xmas rush. . . we just ordered special pirate gift cards for gift subscriptions.

If interested, just head over to www.pyratesway.com or drop me an email at publisher@pyratesway.com

Please resume your piracy at this time and pardon the interruption.

October To Date Archives

Wed, 25 Oct 2006 06:35:20 GMT

October 17, 2006: Pyrates Way Wholesale
Our Wholesale orders are running out the door and I want to make up about 100 parcels of 25 copies of The Pyrates Way. What's great is that they fit in the standard $8.50 Flat Rate Priority Box!
So if you want 25 copies of the magazine, we can take care of you quicker than lesser quantities.
The cost is 50% of the cover (25 mags = $74.87) and we'll even eat the $8.50 shipping. . .so for less than $75 you get the magazines as quickly as the Post Office can get them to you at Priority Mail rates.
I'm making this offer on several boards, so pardon if you've seen it elsewhere. Just go here to make the deal complete:
http://www.pyratesway.com/whole.html
You'll see the 25 copy button in the upper left hand side of the order box. . .just click it and it'll take you to the PayPal Account. If you want to pay by check, send it to: 25 Wholesale, c/o The Pyrates Way, PO Box 1231, Bear, DE 19701

October 17, 2006: 60 Subscriptions
Finished up 60 Subscriptions yesterday and their first issue (and booty) will be mailed out today. This morning there were 4 more Paypal subscriptions!
We're rolling through the subscriptions and the next issue is well underway to meet the demand for more pirate reading material.
Advertising package requests have also begun

October 15, 2006: Another MDRF Excellent Weekend
$$ txfr'd from MDRF's bookstore and about 24 more magazines. . .had a bit of a rough time on Saturday but made up for it on Sunday.
While at festival, mucho more subscriptions came in. . . I'll have a busy week with all the fulfillment.
Had several folks, including Captain Fletcher Moone, gave me grande congratulations on the magazine and will sign aboard as an editor.
We'll have no less than four new editors/proofers prior to the publication of the next issue. . . things are looking up!
HUZZZAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

October 13, 2006: Excellent Order Day
Another, albeit smaller, pack of subscriptions today and one lil' milestone. . . our first order to be filled via Amazon.com!
yeah, only one. . . but it's a start!

October 13, 2006: Book Fair
We've been invited to the Delaware Book Fair to discuss how one creates a magazine almost single-handedly. We're checking out what we could do but I think we'll do this as it's a hometown event.

October 12, 2006: Weird World
k. one issue out, working on the second.
I just received an offer to buy the magazine. . . a really good offer. Not enough to retire but we could pay every bill including the house and both trucks.
Not to worry, I have no intention of selling the magazine/company.
not just yet.

October 12, 2006: MDRF Response III
OMG(s)
The P.O. Box was almost filled with orders . . . and the PayPal account is going nuts! I'm enjoying the sudden rush as the magazine gets seen out there. These things kinda' peter out after the first few weeks when the "newness" is over.
No hits at Amazon just yet.

October 12, 2006: Worth Being Woke Up For
Just got off the phone with a MAJOR magazine. . . can't say who though. . . who wants to do an article on how I put the Pyrates Way together as a "one man show." Even with the mistakes in the first issue (which the reporter thinks is fine for a first try), they want to focus on my work, my career, training, renfaires, etc.
What a friggin' boost for the magazine!
This is way too cool. . . hope I can get back to sleep!

October 11, 2006: MDRF Response Part II
I just got back from the P.O. Box and received 11 new subscription cards with checks! Most are Maryland and Virgina orders, one from D.C., and one from Ohio!
The Ohio order is a "gift" subscription. We also got a 25-copy wholesale order a week ago to be given as X-mas presents!
I never thought of marketing the magazine as a collectible gift. I have to give that some thought.
. . . well, off to the bank.

October 11, 2006: Pyrates Way Radio Statistics
Stats since inception (in July)
2184 Streams Launched
28:53 - Average Listening Time
1051:44 - Total Listening Hours
1925 Station Page Visits
305 Station Presets
http://www.live365.com/stations/pyratesway

October 11, 2006: Almost done with the initial mailing
Got to go to bed on time (@9 pm) and continued to read the FSM gospel book (working on for next issue). We've been running around filling initial subscription orders that it's nuts. All the subscriptions (except for the most recent 50) are in the mail, the advertiser's copies are out, and the wholesale copies go out this afternoon.
Then I'll get to the most recent subscriptions and mail them before Friday.
whew. . . it was nice to get a full night of sleep and get up at the usual 630 for a cup of coffee and watching my favorite morning-hottie newscaster, Robin Meade.
It's a good morning.

October 10, 2006: There's no such thing as bad publicity!
Thank the gods I'm a lot more thick-skinned than I play on Television (or online) LOL. . . Sales from MDRF were a HUGE success. More than 50 folks looked through the magazine, went to the website, and ordered a subscription to The Pyrates Way.
Opinions about the magazine are really good, most love it because it covers a lot of events that folks missed out on seeing. Of course others pick their way through each page, uncovering numerous errors of spelling and grammar (or grammer, take your pick). We're bringing on three new proofers/editors to the team, so hopefully that problem will be fixed.
There are, of course, those who look forward to damning any effort just because they find it fun to do so. This was expected and frankly if it didn't happen I would have been in a conspiracy paranoia! LOL I've still not heard from a handful of the "blue meanies" (all of whom have LJs so they can spew from behind a keyboard). . . but give 'em time! LOL ("I laugh because of the sadness.").
Again though, it's been proven time and time again that if people talk about a thing, whether it be good or bad, it's a success. . . . as long as they keep talking about it! It's like the Howard Stern phenomena. People love him and listen to him because they want to hear what he'll say next. . . others hate him and listen to him because they want to hear what he'll say next.
But as I said, overall, the comments have been stellar. The photos compliment the expressive writing style and I've already gotten letters to the editor stating they can't get enough of the magazine and have read it cover-to-cover a few times already. Suggestions for story material are also high in the email bag especially those pertaining to the west coast pirate enthusiasts of whom I'd have a tough time covering. Thus, in order to make The Pyrates Way more of a sweeping national success, a few talented writers and photographers are going to be covering the west coast for us with several submissions a year.
I enjoy the multitudes of congratulations. . . going from idea to finished magazine isn't an easy task. As we grow, we fix small problems in hopes of getting things "just right."
(oh, btw, I nitpicked this week's Time Magazine and found almost 30 errors in spelling alone. . . it WAS kinda' fun!)

October 10, 2006: Amazon.com decides to pick up THE PYRATES WAY distribution!
Yepper, Amazon.com, the biggest distributor of books and magazines on the planet, now offers The Pyrates Way Magazine.
http://s1.amazon.com/exec/varzea/ts/exchange-glance/Y05Y2647537Y7220061/102-6003518-2330548
You pay the cover price plus shipping as noted.
Yes. We ARE excited.
As for Barnes & Noble. . .they contacted us a month ago about carrying the magazine and we're finished with the submission process for Borders. We can't tell you when they'll be on those store shelves but the timing is weeks, not months. Your best bet is to beg for the publication at your local shop to help get us out there.
The smaller outlets will have to contact us directly (many small chains have already). We're not going with a major distributor because of their "middle-man" business practices. (it takes six months to be paid by the distributor who wants a 70% discount and the publisher must pay for any magazines not sold (i.e. returns). . . this doesn't seem really fair, considering the distributors get paid up front by the store chains.)
Never the less, should the two large magazine distributors come up with a better deal for independent publishers, we'll re-assess the situation.

October 8, 2006: First Reaction
The MDRF bookstore got requests for the magazines before I'd even supplied them! Then they sold out and I had to grab more. . . then more.
There was a small buzz about the magazine and I received many congrats, hugs, kisses, and thank-yous.
As long as the review was positive so I was happy. A couple folks pointed out some mistakes/spelling/grammer stuff that wasn't caught by the spell checks or proofers and others agreed with my self-criticism about the margins. . . but overall it was lauded as a first effort. A LOT of folks never thought it would happen.
Most folks couldn't believe that I put the whole thing together from scratch on a laptop by myself. Of course I had help with proofing, editing, writing, some photos and other bits, but 80% of it came from my fingers on a keyboard, mouse, and digital camera.
Overall I'm thrilled. . . and have already started on the next issue due out at the end of January or beginning of February. . . stay tuned!

October 6, 2006: Now the Real work begins
I'm putting the subscription orders together today, Monday and Tuesday. Subscriptions will go out Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday (there's a lot of them).
This will also include the mailing of wholesale orders and copies for the advertisers.
They're also being sent to the distributors and should be on bookstore shelves in the next few weeks. It's a new magazine from a brand new publisher and bookstore/newsstand folks won't have a lot of copies because there's no "track record" as of yet.
Anyone going to MDRF through the end of the season can see me for individual copies. I can't sell them at the festival (I'm not a vendor), but we can work something out offsite or just direct folks to the onsite bookstore.
The magazine is absolutely beautiful. Thick pages, thicker cover, perfect-bound (no staples), and chock-full of content (and NO poetry). My only self-critique of it is that although nothing is trimmed off of the image area, some of the page items come too close to the page trims for "comfortable" reading space.
I've already fixed that for the next issue.

October 6, 2006: THEY'RE HERE!
I just helped the delivery guy unload the balance (what didn't go out to distributors) into the loading bay. The magazine looks incredible. . . I'm trying not to tear up.

October 6, 2006: 7:46 a.m.
Still waiting. . .3rd cup of coffee. . . Cyn SO amused at me walking back and forth from the loading bay to the computer room. She called me an expectant father.

October 6, 2006: 6:53 am
Went to bed at 3 am. . . . now up again. . . waiting.

October 5, 2006: 7 p.m.
Just got back home from celebrating son Alex's 16th birthday with a message from the trucking company. The truck crossed the Canadian/American border at 7pm. . . there should be a knock at my door at 7a.m.
They're almost in my hand.
Ale me, mates.

October 5, 2006: If I could reach through the phone
. . just got a call from the trucking company that said they couldn't deliver the magazines until Monday. . .

I had a shit fit. . . cursed and all (vicious, ain't I?)

they just called back and said I'd have them tomorrow.

October 4, 2006: Not Tonight
k.
I jumped toward the window every time I heard a truck today.
As I told my good friend Chelle, "I almost mugged the U.P.S. man."
I'm going to bed now. . . . try and get sleep.
I'm too rocked.

October 4, 2006: keep on truckin'
Email came in from the trucking company. The cartons could arrive as soon as tonight, ahead of their schedule.
Pardon my quelled panic attack at 1 am please.

October 3, 2006: sittin' on the dock of the bay
I may camp out here till the truck shows up.

October 2, 2006: enroute
The magazine is NO LONGER at the printers! I know I announced that on Friday, but truth is it was, but it was waiting for the delivery folks, sitting on the dock. It was picked up today by the delivery carrier and is on it's way.
someone take my blood pressure and get be a glass of Merlot please.

September Archives

Wed, 25 Oct 2006 06:16:42 GMT

September 29, 2006: Wednesday October 4, 2006
On that date YOUR issue/s of the premiere issue of The Pyrates Way will be in the mail to YOUR home/business.
I'm officially Jacked Up now.

September 23, 2006: MDRF "Adventure/Pyrate" weekend
A wonderful day had by all.
The fam and I got there at about 1230. . . lots of pirates and I counted 16 Jack Sparrows (sorry, I no longer count anyone dressed as Jack Sparrow as a pirate. . it's a pirate-snobbery-thing).
Beautiful lady pirates abounded and some very handsome gents as well. The Pyrates Way sponsored the Pyrate Jeopardy game at 4 pm at the Dragon Inn and m'own crew of the Polly Dodger walked away with major prizes.
Because it was such a big event, we'll be posting the Pyrate Jeopardy questions at the website come January when the next issue is out. We'll make it an interactive piece upon which you can check your answers and perhaps learn some new pirate facts!
As for this mate, I'm headin' for m'rack to catch a wink or two before re-dressing in m'pyraticals for the day's events.

September 22, 2006: MDRF & PARF
Saturday - We'll be at MDRF (The Maryland Renaissance Festival) celebrating a high-seas adventure weekend. Yours, truly will be hosting "Pyrate Jeopardy" at a stage to be determined, directly after the Pirate PubCrawl. All pirates and their ilg are invited but only Privateer Guild Members may play. (@4pm) - we'll also be doing a photo shoot with various pyrates and wenches.
Sunday - We'll be spending the day at PARF (The Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire) shooting photos for an article in the next Pyrates Way issue as well.
Come by and see us. . . we'll have the PW flag and I'll be in the green cap'ns coat.

September 22, 2006: Cover on press
Got an email that the cover is now on press to the magazine (it's a different weight paper and doesn't get printed with the other matter). Some of the matter is still being printed and some more just got to the bindery. More than half of the magazine is printed and bound and waiting for the covers to be attached.
We're now within days of the magazine being shipped. I'd just hoped I would have a few for this weekend for the folks at MDRF and PARF to see!
oh well. . .first issue. . .first problems.
Second issue is underway though and we've reworked the production ladder to figure in these printing delays. The second issue should be in subscribers hands by Jan 30.

September 20, 2006: 1/2
1/2 of The Pyrates Way is now in THE BINDARY! The other half is still on press but we're getting closer! WE ROCK!

September 19, 2006: THE SITE IS UP!
The rework of The Pyrates Way has gone live! woohoo!

September 18, 2006: magazine check, website continues
no new word on the magazine. . .it's being printed. . . we have to wait!
The site has 7 more pages for me to work up tonight and then the NEW site goes online!

September 15, 2006: Proofs done. . . . printing underway!
YEEEEHAAAAH. . . got the proofs at 8 am. . . they're now back in the hands of the printers and we're underway. . . in 8 days, the printing will be done and delivery to us will commmense. . .then all the issues head out to subscribers, distributors, and advertisers.
So we're looking at the September 23 for printing end. . . let's say 3 days to get to me and to the drop-ships for all the distributors. So everyone should have their copies by September 30. . . or sooner.
Damn I feel so excited about this project finally coming to fruition. I hope everyone else enjoys the results as well.

September 13, 2006: Proofs & Site
no word on revised proofs yet. . .should have them in a.m. m'thinks.
Working very hard to complete the new website design by the 19th. There's a lot more to add to the website after the magazine is on the streets and the present design would take a lot of rework to include all the new stuff.
Thus a new site design with a bit of FLASH! Good Stuff to come, stay tuned!

September 12, 2006: Must Kill Them
Two major advertisers bounced checks. . . damnit. This is why I wanted to do all the advertising via PayPal. . . hurrmmmmmm. must kill them.

September 12, 2006: Proofs returned to Printer for CXs
Proofs came yesterday and there were only four corrections, three of them graphics I was not pleased with and had to rework last night.
As of 8am, the files to be replaced were uploaded to the printer. . .now we wait for those pages to be dropped into the layout and revised prints of the pages to be proofed.
Then I "OK" the files and it goes to press!
At this point I think we might be looking at 22nd of September instead of the 19th. . . but who knows. . . I'm still hoping for the 19th as planned.

September 8, 2006: PROOOOOOFs!
According to the printers. . . I'll have the proofs of the premiere issue of The Pyrates Way in my beefy hands come Monday!

September 5, 2006: MDRF's First Look
Some pyrate friends got to check out the version of the magazine that I carried around on Sunday. A couple, who weren't sure that we'd be successful with it, immediately took subscription cards. Some, who had been impressed with the "other" magazine thought that our new magazine was much more "fun" and just as impressive.
All the reviews were good and I think we have a winner on our hands. I was even approached to do a Scottish American magazine, similar to The Pyrates Way that would show off some of the major Celtic festivals in the U.S.. . . but I had to say "hey, one magazine at a time. . . maybe this time next year."

August Archives

Wed, 25 Oct 2006 06:01:06 GMT

August 31: The Pyrates Way has GONE TO PRESS!
'tis official. After months of hard work and help from many friends on this here very board. . . THE PYRATES WAY has gone to press! As of 20 minutes ago, the printer has received the documents to print the magazine.

I need major drinkage in celebration. . . but I think I'll take a nap first.

http://www.pyratesway.com/subscribe.html to subscribe
http://www.pyratesway.com/whole.html to buy a bunch of issues

August 30: Final Works
I'll be up all night finishing then sleep for a few hours and give it one more look over before it goes off to press tomorrow.

Then it's out of my hands and I'll be anxiously awaiting the print proofs.

Then I'll be anxiously awaiting all the magazines to be delivered (promised within 8 business days of the proof approval).

Then I'll be anxiously awaiting peoples' opinions of that which We've poured almost six months into.

Should be a fun read on this journal! LOL

August 29: Coming Down To The Wire!
We go to press in two days. We're busy making last minute tweeks and edits as we chug along. We've been through the magazine six times since Sunday, checking all the footer alignments, re-running spellcheck, double-checking names, drooling over the three hot babes in the center section, etc. . .

Oh, speaking of spellcheck. With all the "pyratical" words and phrases and the respelling of words like: for = fer, shooting = shootin', etc. . . Spellcheck has become known as "Skip it" as in "skip that word and move on."

The Pyrates Way, LLC business plan is coming together and our corporate seal arrived yesterday. I got some info from several small business administrations for disabled veterans (I'm in the 40% range) and after our DNB number comes in today, we'll be able to jump into some of the mainstream grant and contracting work for the govt. I want to get us into all the Navy and Coast Guard ships' stores and getting all the govt. paperwork taken care of is a long process!

August 25: The Competition
Got my hands on a copy of the competition's new issue. It is excellent work! In fact I think the layout is cleaner than Faerie Magazine . . although they still need some fine tuning in that area. . . .but I might be one of the few looking for problems just because it does look so awesome. My pyrate hat is off to Kim & crew for putting together a grande piece of work.

I just wished they'd come out with the issue in June as they promised. . . now the shelves will be overrun with Pirate-themed magazines! Disney now has two of 'em out for POTC. . .

Room for all, says I, as long as the content is different. . . I guess ya can't get enough piracy readin'!

August 23: More Legal Stuff

The incorporation papers (my official copies) came in the mail today, they get their own frame once the corporate seal arrives. Got all the Delaware Div. Revenue quarterly gross receipts tax filing stuff (oh joy) also today.

Several last minute ads will be just that m'thinks. . . . there's about six of them that need to get in here a week from tomorrow. 3 of them are paid already, but I'm not holding the magazine for any of them, not when I get a 20% discount if I deliver the files by the 31st!

For having a magazine that's only a week from going to press, I'm pretty calm. I think I over-organized and got medievally-micro on every detail to the point where if anything is incorrect, misspelled, crooked, or stupid, I won't beat myself up to bad over it.

Full color, beautiful photos, great information, lots of fun stuff, and even the ads are über-pyratical. I'm pleased.

August 21: We're only here for the publicity.
Stretching our sails across the internet is a wise thing m'thinks. ( Read more... )