New Magazines!

The number of new magazines for 2007 is almost 300 magazines shy of the 2006 total. According to Mr. Magazine's website the 60% failure rate for new magazines in their first year jumps to 80% within four years. Is the significant drop in new magazine ventures a sign of the times, or are publishers choosing quality over quantity?
Mr. Magazine counts a total of 571 new magazines that were launched this year. For the month of October there was a whopping 96 (this includes one shot deals such as special editions to already established publications, as well as newly launched monthlies).
Samir A. Husni, also known as “Mr. Magazine” is the chair of the journalism department at the university of Mississippi, and author of the book Launch your own Magazine, and the annual Samir Husni’s Guide to New Magazines. Of the new launches of the 2007, Bay Area based magazines Eldr and Jpg made it to Mr. Magazine’s list of top launches of the year.
Some of the new October magazines are not unusual titles, Hair Style Ideas, a relaunch of Victoria magazine, and two tattoo magazines: Inked, and Tattoo Life.
Some of the more absurd titles? Beer, a monthly for people who love, what else? Beer; Mob Candy- “the underworld magazine of mafia politics, pleasures, and power,” with coverlines such as “Gamibno Crime family Issue- a Look at Don Carlo’s Legacy,” and “Staten Islands Finest Mercedes Uncensored.” Finally, Popstar! Magazine’s special edition launch of Zanessa- a magazine devoted to the love story of “High School Musical 2’s” Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens.

Magazine explosion in San Francisco

The San Francisco Bay Area has long been known as the birthplace of great magazines. Rolling Stone, Health, Parenting and Wired all got their start here. (Though they're still publishing, all but Wired have relocated.)

Now a new crop of magazines is sprouting up here like mushrooms after a spring rainstorm.

Among the new arrivals:

Bond Alternative Wedding Magazine -- "the first and only fashion magazine and website to include same-sex unions, multi-ethnic couples and offer a non-traditional take on wedding celebrations." The quarterly will feature fashion and wedding ideas. Issue 0, the launch issue, is now available on newsstands.



EldR -- a magazine that aims to "bring an enlightened, entertaining and sometimes edgy approach to aging through essays, stories, reviews, interviews and artwork." Regular columns include ELDR Law, ELDR Yoga and ELDR Tech and ongoing topics include Family, Caregiving and Brainpower, among others. ELDR aims to offer "fresh viewpoints on social issues and new ideas on health, travel, finances and activism."


Everywhere -- a new travel magazine "for people seeking authentic world experiences" from 8020 Publishing, creator of JPG magazine. 8020 Publishing is new hybrid media company, that aims to "bring together the best of the web and print. We harness the diversity and depth of online communities to create printed magazines that are uniquely relevant and insightful with an incredibly engaged audience." The company launched in June 2006.


Aware Magazine -- a magazine with a mission: to show how we can all pitch in, and to serve as a beacon to light the way beyond the national sense of helplessness and desperation. Departments include Earth, Education, Volunteer, Health, Community, Money, The Arts. Publisher Christopher Caen is the son of the late Chronicle columnist Herb Caen.


Benefit -- yet another magazine with a mission. Benefit describes itself as "a resource for people, companies and organizations that are interested in individual and corporate social responsibility and the lifestyle, education and opportunities that are associated with it. The magazine presents a view of philanthropy and altruism through the eyes of the people that are making important differences in lives across the San Francisco Bay Area and the world."


Meatpaper -- This new publication is a print magazine of art and ideas about -- you guessed it -- meat. The magazine was founded by Sasha Wizansky, a visual artist and graphic designer, and Amy Standen, a reporter for Quest, KQED public radio's local science and environment show. No mission here, apparently. "Us, we’re ambidextrous here at Meatpaper," says the magazine's Web site, "no agenda except to gnaw on the ideas, artistic excursions and bone-deep emotions the subject inspires."


Diversity Woman (no Web site yet) -- a new national women's business magazine "geared towards successful and high-powered African-American, Asian, Caucasian, and Latino women executives and entrepreneurs." The first issue is planned for 2008.

Have we missed any? Let us know by writing to coverlines@gmail.com.