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Post by David A. Riley on Oct 1, 2010 10:02:04 GMT
Thanks for that, Mark. It's appreciated.
I'm glad you said that about Peter Crowther, too, as I don't know him and have no idea what he's like. That certainly makes me feel better about his involvement, though I still don't feel it's necessary. I have a feeling, too, that Stephen Theaker, who's been editing Dark Horizons for the past few years, wasn't exactly pleased either at this change.
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Post by Craig Herbertson on Oct 1, 2010 10:33:23 GMT
I avoid commercial shopping malls like a thoroughly lost Zombie. You'll find me on the fringe of a run down estate risking a mugging and grubbing through a seedy second hand shop because I've seen something that vaguely resembled a book from the bus window. In a similar fashion I suppose I get joy from people who have a real feel for the genre, really take their time to do something well for what simply can't be mercenary goals I suppose only time will tell but I'm disappointed you're not at the helm David because you got a real feel that there was a positive direction there. That's part of my dungeon below
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Post by David A. Riley on Oct 1, 2010 10:41:59 GMT
Well, it looks like I'll probably be hanging around with Prism - or what's left of it - for a while yet. I'll certainly try and make it as good as I can, perhaps flesh it out with a few book related articles and more interviews. After all, I didn't have a lot to do with the reviews before - they were gathered for me. I may start a section of genre-related magazines. Who knows? Perhaps taking away the news/review aspect will make it more interesting.
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Post by justin on Oct 1, 2010 12:08:52 GMT
An interesting issue, that will probably directly impact me if a new chairman has decided to channel BFS funds into different projects. i.e. not a Best of the Fanatic.
In my experience, the whole out-sourcing of design has pros and cons. Certainly when Glenn Fleming of the late Crikey! took the workload off me and designed The Fanatic it did free me up to focus on writing, and it did bring a much more professional sheen to the publication. But the finished product was typically a diluted version of my own vision.
As an example, I wanted to see page after page of paperback covers, whereas Glenn who was not coming at it from the angle of a demented nerd, made it more "designerly" and didn't see the appeal of a page showing every book in a series for example. Not Glenn's fault, but just an example of how The Fanatic moved away from my original vision.
Since I took back the mag with issue 13, it has a smaller circulation and is more of a fanzine than ever before, but is exactly the magazine I always wanted to discover at my local comic shop. I seem to have been lucky and picked up a group of very loyal supporters (something I would never be arrogant enough to take for granted) which stands the mag in good stead for the future. For me, the stay small and keep it personal philosophy has worked. So far.
From a distance, it appeared David had a vision for Prism, and good or bad, the PS version will be a diluted version of that. A few years back I did subscribe to the BFS and therefore Prism, but let it lapse after a year as the material didn't appeal to me. The reviews in particular smacked of "I can continue to get a free review copy of xx magazine, if I review it in Prism" as quite often the same person was reviewing issue after issue of the same magazine.
I sent a copy of The Fanatic into Prism (pre Stephen T) for review, and they really struggled to get someone to review it. (Presumably they send out a list of received material to their board of reviewers for them to pick what they would like to write about) When a review did appear it was fair and balanced, but evidently written by someone who no affinity for the material. Which I found strange for someone writing reviews for members of the BFS. Probably sounds like sour grapes, but I must emphasise, the review was fair and balanced.
What's my conclusion. I suppose it's that old favourite "A camel is a horse designed by committee" but I hope the BFS allow David to continue to edit the Prism section and that he can continue to realise his personal vision for the mag through PS and co.
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Post by David A. Riley on Oct 1, 2010 12:23:18 GMT
After discussing things with David Howe I feel fairly confident now that Prism can, if anything, become more my own thing than before. I never did have much to do with the reviews section. Most of these were provided by the various section editors, who collected them from their reviewers.
In place of these, I can use the space to do other things - things that there has never been space for before. So I think, gradually - or perhaps not so gradually - Prism will change from the model I inherited to soemthing new.
To be honest, I would rather do in depth coverage of magazines, small press proprietors, artists and writers, etc., than loads of short reviews, often months out of date by the time I get them, never mind when the magazine's been printed and posted to members!
By the way, if there is anyone who would like to do something for me on any of these things, just drop me an email.
rileybooks@ntlworld.com
I aim to get the next Prism ready to be sent off by the beginning of November.
David
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Post by dem bones on Oct 1, 2010 12:46:25 GMT
Thanks for that Justin. as you maybe noticed, i've been very coy about introducing the subject of the proposed BFS Paperback Fantastic project preferring you to do it, and i kind of wondered how this potential takeover (for want of a better word) might affect things. i'm not sure a deluxe PS edition for people who've never previously shown any interest in PF is quite what you were imagining?! reading the threads both on here and the BFS it's hard to tell just what is going on; the impression i got - no doubt mistakenly - from the early posts on the BFS thread was that it was already a done deal, although now that doesn't seem to be the case? one dark day some idiot got it into their head that they thought i should collate their fanzine. it was a f**k**g nightmare from the first issue. i absolutely refused to let the backer interfere with the design and content because it soon became apparent this individual was only interested in the publication if we ran it as their personal fan club. Their argument was "i'm paying!" My worry is that at the very least PS would, quite naturally, expect to run ads for their product and maybe propose some PS authors as interviewees. and what happens come the awards? we've already seen how hostile it can get if so-and-so wins out over-so-and-so. Imagine the howls of outrage if a PS publication were to win (as they have a habit of doing) - unless they chose to stand down, in which case that would hardly be fair on their authors. i hope it gets resolved to your satisfaction, Mr. Riley. you're a damn fine editor. and so to are you, Mr. Marriott! Later editsorry if it looks like i wasn't paying attention! David posted his update in meantime
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Post by David A. Riley on Oct 1, 2010 13:04:39 GMT
Things have been in a state of flux and yesterday there were some heated - or fairly heated exchanges between some of the people involved. There have been a few missunderstandings, mainly due to things being sprung on those of us involved with perhaps not enough discussion or explanation. Things like that happen, though.
It does appear that one of the editors involved has resigned.
However, now that I have had time to look at the situation in more detail, I think I can confidently say that Prism will quickly change into something that I am certain will be different but better than before, and much more my own thing, bearing in mind that the reviews were all parcelled out to a number of other section editors, over whom I had no control.
I want it to be topical, obviously, and for this reason I'm going to turn its emphasis on what's currently hot in the small presses, in magazines, writing, artists, and the web.
For example, with the relaunch of the very first Pan Book of Horror, I've told Johnny I would like to do a piece on this, showing how this reissue came about, especially when other mainstream publishers have shown so little interest these days in horror anthologies. I also want to be able to publish what plans there are for anything to follow on from this.
The more I think about it, the more I am coming round to believing this is an opportunity to change Prism into something so much better, but recognisable. I might not be able to do the layout, but there's a lot more to it than just that. And this is what I'll have more time and opportunbity for. And the leeway. It's not often you have the excuse to revamp something virtually from scrap, but this is one and I would be foolish not to take the opportunity offered.
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Post by dem bones on Oct 1, 2010 18:53:21 GMT
The more I think about it, the more I am coming round to believing this is an opportunity to change Prism into something so much better, but recognisable. I might not be able to do the layout, but there's a lot more to it than just that. And this is what I'll have more time and opportunity for. And the leeway. It's not often you have the excuse to revamp something virtually from scrap, but this is one and I would be foolish not to take the opportunity offered. Now there's a turnaround! This time yesterday Prism was facing death by doom, now its future has never looked rosier! well done, mr. Riley. i hope there are no more unpleasant surprises in store for you and that Moodie's fab vampy Christmas painting gets to grace the next, souped-up issue of Prism after all!
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Post by David A. Riley on Oct 1, 2010 19:30:33 GMT
Nail me to a crucifix, dem, and I'll be the first to start singing "Look on the bright side..."
I think I allowed myself to be swayed by some of the negativity being created, perhaps by the abruptness of the decision, and by the fact that I hadn't fully taken in that getting rid of the reviews could open up Prism to an awful lot more that it hasn't covered so far.
You know what they say about one door closing...
Anyway, with John Probert's column for the next issue newly arrived, and with one offer already from someone to do interviews for me, things are on the move. And it will be great to see Paul Mudie's artwork given an outing in the BFS. Plus I've already got things set up to do an interview with him, which will be an excuse to reprint all those Black Book covers (and some others he'd sone too).
David
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stephenbacon
Crab On The Rampage
www.stephenbacon.co.uk
Posts: 78
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Post by stephenbacon on Oct 1, 2010 19:47:05 GMT
David, I think you did an excellent job with the Prisms you edited. I only have even high hopes for its future - I'm sure it will go onto becoming a different beast, but one which is even better in the end.
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Post by dem bones on Oct 1, 2010 20:13:33 GMT
can only echo what Mr. Bacon has said above. i'm delighted Moodie has agreed to an interview (long overdue). if you remember, i think it was mentioned on the recent Years Best Horror 21 thread that Stephen Jones had made some criticisms of Prism under its previous editor? well, the gist of it was that the magazine was top heavy with reviews, so looks like he'll be a lot happier with this new direction. and now if you'll excuse me, i have to go back over the thread and discreetly delete all those rotten things i accidentally posted about PS Publications ...
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Post by David A. Riley on Oct 1, 2010 20:37:29 GMT
"and now if you'll excuse me, i have to go back over the thread and discreetly delete all those rotten things i accidentally posted about PS Publications ..." Me too.
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Post by marksamuels on Oct 1, 2010 21:13:27 GMT
Glad to see things are back on track for the new revamped Prism, David, and that you're still on board.
Mark S.
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Post by David A. Riley on Oct 1, 2010 22:41:24 GMT
Thanks, Mark. I didn't think things were going to work out to start with and I must admit I felt disappointed that I'll nolonger be designing the final layout, as I've been doing so far with Prism, but I think the final product will probably look great and I suppose having Prism in a hardback will be something.
Anyway, without all those reviews, I can now get on with more interesting things. Not that there can't be any reviews at all, but those there are will be for "important" books and longer, more in-depth than the ones published in the old Prism.
By the way, I am still interested in doing an interview with you for Prism - if you're interested.
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Post by marksamuels on Oct 2, 2010 1:17:19 GMT
It sounds good, David. Believe me, Pete's a top bloke. I've nothing but praise for him, and for Nicky (the PS team). They're a pleasure to work with. Well, I suppose I had better do that interview (thanks for the request) and show willing Do you have my email addy? If not, PM me. Mark S.
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