
The Twit Filter: E-Mag Editors
by Dave Bealer

This final installment of The Twit Filter will take a slightly
different approach than its predecessors.  Rick Arnold and I have
each been trying to publish two electronic magazines per month for
the past two months and things begin to stack up.  The Bureau of 
Really Unlikely Statistics has predicted that by the year 2003 every
human being on the planet will be editing and publishing at least
three e-mags every month.  This article is dedicated to helping all
you prospective editors out there avoid ending up in too many twit
filters.  Take the following advice with a few 55 gallon drums of
salt:

1) Specialize.  The world won't need 9 billion different versions
   of THE NEW YORKER.  Besides, DREAM FORGE already has the one
   available general interest e-mag slot.

2) Spelling, grammar and punctuation do count, even in electronic
   publishing.  Just because your words won't be printed on paper
   doesn't excuse you from learning the craft of writing.

3) Don't be afraid to say no to lousy submissions, even if they're
   from your family, friends, or co-workers.  Publishing a rotten
   piece won't do the the writer any good, and it certainly won't
   help the reputation of either you or your e-mag.

4) Specialize.  Better make it something you like to read about, not
   to mention write about, otherwise you'll get tired of it real
   fast.  The more material you can churn out yourself, the better
   off you are.

5) Be patient with distributors.  Sure, you can demand fair
   treatment, but don't expect better service than any other
   software vendor.

6) Be patient with writers.  Unless you can write all your content
   yourself, you need these people.  Criticize (and reject) when
   necessary, but always try to be encouraging.  You may not be able
   to use the first two or three pieces submitted by a particular
   writer, but with constructive criticism you may turn him into a
   regular contributor.

7) No matter how taken you are with the latest hypermedia gizmos,
   think seriously about offering an ASCII text version in addition
   to any fancy editions.  Visually impaired users make use of reading
   software that works with ASCII text files.  Going graphics-only
   will needlessly eliminate a large segment of your potential
   market.                                                      {RAH}
                                                                   
