This document provides an overview of magazine types and the evolution of magazines. It discusses how magazines started as publications for the elite due to high production costs and bland design. Over time, factors like the industrial revolution, photography, urban development, rising literacy, and investigative journalism led to the first general interest magazine and changes like the incorporation of graphic design. More recently, magazines have reflected technological and social trends. The rise of new media has impacted publishers, who have found innovative ways to respond to online popularity. Magazines now must compete for readers and advertisers across many media options. The future involves access through distribution on social networks and multimedia platforms as well as user-generated content.

1. magazine types
+ Teena Apeles, Ted Arvanitis, Sydney
Blackmore and Ksenia Yurganova

2. + In the beginning…
Magazines were reserved for
the elites.
The cost of producing them
was high.
They were marked by bland
design.
+ The first general-interest magazine, Gentleman’s
Magazine, was published in 1731.

3. +the industrial revolution
The advent of
photography
+
Increased urban
development
+
A rise in literacy
+
The beginning of
investigative journalism

4. + the creative revolution
Advertising
rewrites the rules.
Graphic design
is incorporated.

5. + the identity age
The rise of consumer and
cultural magazines
The DIY era
Magazines reflecting
technological and
social trends

6. + Animals & Pets
Arts & Culture
Auto & Cycles
Books & Literature
Business & Finance
Children’s
Comics
Food & Wine
Entertainment
markets
Fashion
Health & Fitness
Hobbies & Collectibles
Home & Gardening
Lifestyle
consumer
Men's
News
scholarly
Sports trade
Science & Technology
Teen
Travel & Vacations
Women's
And so much more!

7. +
Con$umer = pays
your rent!
Scholarly = CV
friendly, but not
about the Benjamins
Trade = no prestige
but potential for
dough
the write stuff

8. +
Voices
Face
Form
Context
Significance
Information Murray’s
Focus
tips

9. +
auto
sports

10. +
men’s
œœ
women’s

11. + hobbies
+
collectibles
literary

12. +
1 AARP The Magazine (23,434,052) 11 AAA Westways (3,735,510)
2 Reader's Digest (10,094,281) 12 Prevention (3,346,530)
3 Better Homes and Gardens (7,638,912) 13 TV Guide (3,281,316)
4 National Geographic (5,071,134) 14 Sports Illustrated (3,204,699)
5 Good Housekeeping (4,741,353) 15 Newsweek (3,118,432)
6 Ladies' Home Journal (4,169,444) 16 Playboy (3,001,723)
7 Time (4,066,545) 17 Cosmopolitan (2,947,220)
8 Woman's Day (4,027,113) 18 NEA Today (2,871,654)
9 Family Circle (3,953,651) 19 Via Magazine (2,826,638)
10 People (3,750,548) 20 Southern Living (2,824,105)
magazine rankings
+ based on 2006 circulation
++ source: Advertising Age

13. +publishing, interrupted
Social trends and new technology continue to
shape the publishing industry.
The Internet has energized some magazine
markets while hurting others.
Publishers have found innovative ways to
respond to the popularity of online media.

14. + online fever

15. + foot in the grave
Magazines must now
compete against all other
media, both for readers and
advertisers, and with more
media options out there it
becomes harder by the day.
+ Lisa Snedeker,
Media Life Magazine
RIP 2007

16. + 21st century outlook
access
+
distribution
social networks
+
multimedia
user-generated
+
user-approved

17. resources
Canadian Authors Association :: an organization for writers who wish to improve contracts with publishers ::
www.canauthors.org
Magazines Canada :: provides information on Canadian magazines and the country’s 2008 magazine conference ::
www.cmpa.ca
Colophon 2009 :: a website detailing the International Magazine Symposium that uses exhibitions, workshops,
conferences for professionals to express their thoughts about the future of magazines :: www.welovemags.com
MagNation: The Land of Mags :: the world's first and only magazine superstore with more than 4,000 magazines
and has an online “magdentifier” that finds every person's perfect magazine matches :: www.magnation.com
Media Life Magazine :: an online magazine covering the overall media industry :: www.medialifemagazine.com
mediabistro.com :: a website covering all that’s happening in the publishing industry :: www.mediabistro.com
Periodical Writers Association of Canada :: an organization for freelancers and magazine writers who want to keep
up on changes and developments in the industry :: www.pwac.ca
Poets & Writers :: magazine focused on the literary world and publishing opportunities :: www.pw.org
Writers Market: Where and How to Sell What You Writer :: a great reference book and website giving you the
lowdown on magazine markets :: www.writersmarket.com
+
Writer's Trust of Canada :: an organization working to advance and nurture Canadian writers and their writing ::
www.writerstrust.com