The facebook page, Bring Back Fiction to Women’s Magazines, begun by Julie Phillips has reached 74 members, and growing.
People have commented on the various magazines facebook pages and have written letters to the editors of the magazines. On a positive note some of these magazines have read these requests and have passed on the request to see fiction returned.
If you are interested in saving the short story and bringing back fiction to women’s magazines please post your comment on the magazines’ facebook pages and write letters to the editors.
The magazines that I know of who have dropped fiction are:
Australia – The Australian Women’s Weekly, Woman’s Day and New Idea.
UK - Chat, That's Life, Best, Bella, Woman, Woman's Own, The Lady, Take A Break (weekly) and Candis.
We are a huge voice when we stand united, and I believe if we all put an effort in to make our voice heard we will achieve positive results!
I can't believe many (if any) readers have ever contacted magazines asking them to drop the fiction, so I'm wondering what made all those editors make that decision.
ReplyDeleteI've wondered the same thing Patsy. I sent some letters to the editors from magazines who have dropped fiction. I will let you know if they get back to me. I also emailed That's Life Australia and thanked them for keeping the short story alive. Back to the mags who have dropped fiction, I wonder whether they were somehow cutting down their workload and when nobody expressed their disappointment about ficiton not being there they just assumed it wasn't being missed?????
ReplyDeleteYay I can comment (Pat told me you'd changed your settings) :)
ReplyDeleteIt's such a shame that so many mags have dropped fiction, but it's good to know that some of them are looking into it.
Teresa :)
If you go here: http://www.goodtoknow.co.uk/family/471247/Woman-s-Weekly-Fiction-Guidelines
ReplyDeleteGaynor and Clare (WW editors) are answering questions. Clare seems to go on most days. So...
it's an opportunity to praise and thank them for keeping short stories in the weekly magazine and producing the regular Fiction Specials.
You can sign in the your fb account or register. I found it easier to register with my name and email - but when writing your email addy use all lower case or it won't be accepted.
LOL Teresa, and thank you for leaving a comment. I didn't even know about my settings. Der to me.
ReplyDeleteThank you Pat for the info! I've written to That's Life (Australia) and thanked them for keeping the short story alive.
It always seems to be the first slot to go when a new editor takes over. They probably see it as 'old-fashioned' and think readers prefer real-life or celebrity stories, but I surely there's room for everything!
ReplyDeleteI too think there's room for everything Karen. I wonder whether when these mags drop the fiction and nobody says anything they just assume it's not missed! That's why it's a great thing how we have been letting the mags know we miss the fiction. I've written some letters to mags and am hoping they do give a reason why they dropped the fiction in the first place - I'm sure many of us would like to know. Will keep you posted. x
ReplyDeleteUpdate on my 20th June comment about:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.goodtoknow.co.uk/family/471247/Woman-s-Weekly-Fiction-Guidelines
I praised the balanced magazines and said how much I liked the fiction etc and...
got a nice reply from Clare, the Asst Editor.
Good to know Pat. Well done! I think it's a fantastic idea to praise the mags like that. I haven't heard back from That's Life, but will let you know if I do. Hopefully others have written to the mags letting them know enjoying reading their fiction.
ReplyDelete