Woodworking Magazine Blog

That sounds great to me! I haven't subscribed to Woodworking only because there's only so many magazine subs I can keep track of. I'm looking forward to the combination!

You didn't really mention it, but I am a subscriber to Popular Woodworking now, so will anything change for me?

Okay, I am just the opposite. I have subscribed to Woodworking Magazine but not Popular Woodworking because of the same issue. I had actually dropped a couple of other mags a couple of years ago. In the last year I have purchased PW on the news stands and was thinking that I might as well subscribe. So that solves that issue for me.
I suspect I will have to pay more since Woodworking Magazine was a four issue/year deal - Correct?

Still love the content of Woodworking Magazine - improve don't change it.

Dan

Thanks Chris, you guys do a great job and it has been refreshing reading. As I said this solves a dilemma for me anyway so I will look forward to it.
Dan

As a subscriber to both, I guess I'm going to miss "Woodworking," but if you say combining the two will make it better, I'm sure it will. This is easy for me to say, for sure, but I would love to see you guys up the ante and become a monthly. Any deliberations on this moving forward?

Regards,

Trust your instincts regarding the change. You guys rock. I just re-upped for another 2 years.

Jim

Sweet!

I'm looking forward to this. PWW and WW were the only mags I subscribe to now (FWW just didn't have what I wanted, and you guys seem to get the whole 2.0 world a lot better than they do). I understand about the staff load, especially considering it's the same writers in both mags.

There is still a feb issue that should be out in the next few weeks, correct?

Brian

Great move, looking forward to the first issue, both magazines were outstanding, this should even be better. Happy New Year

"The goal is just to make it better. Better paper. Better design. Better writing."

Better paper and better design, okay, maybe so. Better writing, I don't see how.

Actually, the better writing is the part I "get". Fewer issues, fewer divided interests, same staff, access to just as many or even more outside writers. (Possibly more since the magazine can reach a larger audience with each article and that makes it easier to attract writers.).

I think this one is a bit hard to "sell" to old subscribers, but it really makes a lot of back office sense for a small staff.

I suspect that the new magazine will indeed be better and have wider appeal.

Actually, the better writing is the part I "get". Fewer issues, fewer divided interests, same staff, access to just as many or even more outside writers. (Possibly more since the magazine can reach a larger audience with each article and that makes it easier to attract writers.).

I think this one is a bit hard to "sell" to old subscribers, but it really makes a lot of back office sense for a small staff.

I suspect that the new magazine will indeed be better and have wider appeal.

Chris,

I am a subscriber to both mags, primarily because I liked the different approaches of the two. I was just thinking, as I read the latest issue of PopWood last night, that it would be nice to see it printed on similar paper to the Woodworking Magazine. Stange that...

I am not at all concerned about the merging of the two publications in terms of the mechanics of subscriptions, etc. I am confident that it will be a fair deal for everyone. I do have a slight issue with the potential loss of "volume". Receiving PW and WM bought me X + Y pages to read annually for cost Z. While I don't doubt that the quality of the content will be as good or better, that's only part of the value equation to consumers. I hope that the amalgamated publication comes close to to aggregated annual content of both magazines, or that the subscription fee is reduced accordingly.

Replacing print content with web content is not the answer either. I but magazines and books to read the hardcopy. It's a media I enjoy and get a different experience from, compared to digital content.

One other thing that I thought I could add is that I've got the compilation CD that covers back to 2000 or so, and reading articles back then and now, its amazing at the difference. The old magazines feel like I'm looking at a magazine aimed at a bunch of guys in their garage with a hammer and a saw from the BORG. I don't know how to say it, but it just feels real hokey. I can see the trend of the mag improving around 2004, or so, and getting better each year. The newer magazine actually feels like it is written towards improving the craft of woodworking itself. There are less tool reviews, fewer wild and crazy jigs to replace what can be done in 2 minutes with a hand tool, and the actual projects are just better. Though some projects are simple, such as the shaker stuff in the last few (and upcoming) mags, the focus seems to be on getting the basics right, and then being able to make exquisite work with the refined skills. This looks like another step in the right direction.

Chris:

I grew up in a publishing family and write a fair amount for publication myself (none of related to woodworking or tools). Therefore, I understand the kinds of evolutions and decisions that happen in the trade. You gotta do what you think is best, and I support that, despite being very sorry to see Woodworking fade away. However, I do have some practical questions and some of style:

1) As a current subscriber to both, how will my subscriptions be merged?

2) Stylistically, in terms of layout, paper, and photography, Woodworking has been excellent. Popular Woodworking has had first class contributors and articles, but has always looked cluttered and felt cheap in the hand. I hope you lean more towards Woodworking.

3) All the wood mags except Woodworking have always faced an inherent conflict of interests between getting advertising and delivering unbiased reviews that really point out the negatives. Readers are very sensitive to this. How will you resolve it?

4) How would you expect the ratio of content to advertising to balance out? Can people like me who have previously subscribed to both expect to get the same number of pages of content as in the past?

Cheers!

Joe Sullivan

I was nervous upon reading about a change but sometimes change can be good.

I don't think that more issues are the answer. I'd much rather get seven awesome issues a year with supporting internet content.

You've never let me down yet, and I don't suspect you'll start now.
I plan to renew my subscription indefinitely.

All in all, you guys ROCK!

I'll be sorry that the "no-ads" policy is going away - that was the primary reason I subscribed to Woodworking Magazine originally - I buy enough stuff as it is.

Nevertheless, I have come to appreciate the great writing, and wish you sucess with the new format.

Chris,

My PW subscription ends Jun. 2010, and my WM subscription ends either WIN 2010 or WIN 11 I am not sure.
I am sitting here with a PW renewal form and nowhere does it mention the upcoming blend that will take place.
I am curious as to where I stand regarding upcoming issues.
I have no problem with the new format, I don't want to miss any issues.
I have been with WW since the start and enjoy it every issue and PW has grown on me.

Thanks, Ken

I subscribe to and throughly enjoy both magazines. The change will take some getting used to no doubt but with the same staff and writers I can't imagine that the quality will suffer. More internet and dvds will be a good addition I think. How many issues will be published annually?

Chris and crew,
I like both publications, but will miss the no ads in WW. Its the same reason I buy Cooks Illustrated, in addition to the tight informative writing. Plus, if you can't get it across in B/W then color wont help things.

The thing that bothers me about FWW is the articles there are not "for" the people shown in the Gallery section, or want their work to be that good. ( The pix seems merely eyecandy to sell the issues rather than the content therein.)

And not to dis' you guys but I love the interviews in WoodWork. That is how I found out about my now friend John Burt, before he taught at MASW.
The PW article on Don Webber was good though.

Keep up the quality and keep it honest.
Works with selling hamburgers too.

jeff

I love digital content but, as someone who travels extensively for work there are vast amounts of time that I don't have access to digital content. I loved that Woodworking Magazine was very thorough in it's coverage. All the details for more advanced woodworkers were in the pages. I love the idea of being able to dive deeper into a specific subject online, but I hope that doesn't mean that the articles will be "broad brush" for a more general audience.
I love Woodworking Magazine and I must admit that I had a little ball in my stomach when I read that it was going away. However, you've managed to produce two excellent magazines so far so I'm confident that you'll do the same for the combination. I look forward to more details as time goes on.

Given the state of the publishing industry these days, survival is the key. Roll with the changes, all I care is that the same people can continue doing the same work. WM does seem to me the thoughtful older brother (despite being younger!) to the brash PW fascinated by all the shiny new things, so I'm glad to see the editorial bent leaning more in favor of the former.

That article on C&W would make a nice online teaser (he said shiftily, eyeing the new set of floats he just bought from Lie Nielsen to go with the Larry Williams DVD).

I have owned all the other woodworking magazines and fell in love with Woodworking Magazine for its no frills approach to woodworking. I am a basic woodworker who wants to learn the "why's, hows and whats" and Woodworking Magazine provided it all. Some magazines already assumed you had a phd in woodworking (FWW). Your magazine started from scratch and did it well. Whether you plan on it or not, something is usually lost in a merger. I bought your first issue and I hope I can continue. I hope you don't lose the "tradition" that was a part of Woodworking. Tradition has been lost in too many things we do now.

If this were April first I would have said April fools! It seems that you're serious however and I really like Woodworking magazine including the sepia toned photos. Some sort of reality check is happening here. I hope it's as you say. I noticed long ago Chris that you get more done than there are hours in the day. I don't know how, but you're work ethic and dedication are evident in the magazine. Thanks for such a great publication.

Chris:

Woodworking Magazine is the most important contribution to woodworking since the invention of electricity. I said that before and I will stand by it. Nevertheless, I am not unhappy with the changes--for the most part. Clearly, I am not charmed by the idea of advertising. And, I really hope that the academic tone of Woodworking Magazine continues intact. I really dislike woodworking magazines that write down to their reader.

Chris, please know that I have been so impressed with you and your staff--especially you and Megan. And, I have also been impressed with your courage to research, and teach, methods that have been lost for several hundred years.

I do not care how you deliver the product. Just keep delivering the product. And, know that your instincts are as good, or better, then anyone else in the woodworking publication business. Keep up the good work. If you say that the new magazine will be good, it will be good.

Bill Wiese

Chris,
Like a few others have mentioned PWw and WwM are my top 2 woodworking magazines. Partly for their differences. I'll trust your merger of the two.

And, like others, hardcopy is important to me. I hope you'll expound on the social media stuff. I get pushed to consider all the benefits of social media in my work, but in a national presentation we arranged for -- research based, there is not the roi benefit that some suggest there is. Sort of like if you drive a certain car, then you see all the others like it on the road. If you listen to a certain radio station, then the tendency can be to think it is one of the more popular.

So, I don't understand why you are giving only those people who tweet special discounts (I am remembering that correctly -- right?) If you owned Twitter, then I would understand your profit motive. But, assuming you don't own stock in Twitter, I don't understand why the emphasis on Twitter. Or Facebook, or any one of the other 50 or so social media formats. Please expound!!!!

Say hi to Steve -- and keep up the good work.

Alan

Chris:

Like many other commenters, the "no-ads" policy and the aesthetic of Woodworking was a major driver for my subscribing. I am more than willing to trust you, and can appreciate the difficulties of a small staff putting out two magazines that demand so much work beyond research, writing, editing, etc.

However, please, please, please keep the faith with your focus on hand tool skills, techniques, technologies, history, etc. For me this was and remains the most important reason for subscribing. There simply isn't equivalent coverage elsewhere, and the renaissance in hand tool use and manufacture desperately needs this forum.

Like everyone else commenting, I will try to keep the faith as well--your honesty and your track record deserve our trust--best of luck with this change and I will look forward to the April issue.

Ed

I hope you remember that NOT EVERYONE uses Microsoft/Adobe/Macromedia products, and things like copy protected DVDs/PDFs and flash media are useless to us. So I hope you keep up the quality of the regular print media, as the above mentioned formats add no value to me and other F/OSS users.

I would think woodworkers would appreciate the value of the freedom to work on their software as much as they value their freedom to work with their wood.

I should have added an example.

Imagine if the law said that for you to use the wood you just bought, you had to work on it only with approved tools. Now suppose the only tools they approve of are not very high quality say, maybe something orange(HF), or yellow and black (SWK/BDK), and are known to have a lot of bugs and they don't give you any other options.....

That is how I feel when I get products that will only function when run on Microsofts platform.

I think this means that there will no longer be a woodworking magazine available which doesn't have advertising in it.:-(

That truly sucks...you may have lost me as a subscriber...as you just sent me an issue that said it was the last, asking for renewal.

I wish you the best with this! Woodworking Magazine was one of the riskier things I've seen in publishing in years.

As a very satisfied subscriber to both, I will stand buy you.

I also am very pleased with your exploration of the "new media".

But, until the day I can take my computer into the bathroom (along with my toaster), please keep some content on easy to dry paper :-)

Jim

I guess I just don't understand the desire for "no advertising." I like advertising. It doesn't cast a spell over me -- if I want to buy something, I do, but I can resist very easily. And what advertising does, is help pay the magazine's bills, putting a higher quality product in my hands, and costing me less money. How is that not a good thing?

I like knowing about new products -- they often help me figure out solutions or shortcuts to problems I can solve, usually without buying the product advertised. Nor do they distract me from the articles. My attention is sufficient that I can read the content I wish, and skip over everything else. I just don't see advertising as being an issue.

Those insert cards, on the other hand, those should go. Very annoying. The first thing I do is yank those right out.

I have enjoyed these two magazines very much over the last few years. There have been increasing numbers of excellent articles by outstanding writers, and I look forward to that continuing.

I am not jumping on the band wagon like everyone else has seemed to do. I like PW magazine and I can take it or leave it. It is like all the other rags. However, Woodworking magazine was the best!! Every issue was usable. I read every word. I LOVED the fact that there was no advertising and the b/w pics were perfect. I feel like Woodworking is a journal and not a magazine...it was just different from all the rest of them. Now, with this merger, it sounds like Woodworking will become a FWW or souped up Wood magazine and become ho-hum. Like I said, I'll wait and see if the proof is in the pudding.

Kudos to you guys. The publishing market is indeed a vicious and competitive one. While I will miss the no ads Woodworking, I look forward to the new publication. New is always NEW. I'm a long time subscriber to FWW [don't be hatin'] both to the magazine AND their online content as well. I lamented when they changed there format to fit smaller pages and told them so. But there's was an economic move as well and I understood the import.

The bottom line is CONTENT. As long as you folks keep me turning pages and dragging it out to the workbench, I'll keep paying and ain't that what it's all about?

always,

I can't believe I used the wrong "there and there's" in the previous post. Geez, I need some coffee. I just wanted to add one more thing; I will NEVER buy a Kindle or place my laptop anywhere near my dusty workbench. There is nothing better than being able to flip pages without having to worry about wifi or having to plug in to an outlet. Call me a Luddite but I think Mr. Guttenberg got it right.

always,

I'm really excited about this merge. From the look of the preview it seems like it might be my dream come true. It seems like you are combining the illustrations of Fine Woodworking with the wit and wisdom of Popular Woodworking, and the top notch quality articles of Woodworking Magazine and my favorite magazine of all time...the annual issue of Woodwork Magazine. I must say was starting to get annoyed with the cordless tool cover stories of pop wood. I love the articles but I didn't se them as being cover stories. I felt like I was subscribing to Power Tool Magazine this past year. I think I may extend my subscription for another year. GOOD SAVE!

I think this will be a great move, merging the best of each into one efficient unit. I subscribe to PWW and purchase Woodworking off the newsstand.

Will you give current subscribers the opportunity to extend their subscription period at the current cost?

I do not particularly care for PW. I really liked WW. It looks to me that I will be able to save some money when renewal time comes because you will be just another "great gone poor" magazine because of the need to advertise. I thought that was the big selling point of WW.

Chris and staff:
The comments in reaction to your announcement signify that the coming months will be most interesting for you! And well they should be.
I'm a subscriber to both of your magazines...and I like each for the differences they both bring to the table. Like many other subscribers, I trust you. So, if you say the magazine will be better, I have no doubt it will be better.
Two areas of concern, however: it would break my heart to read an article in your new magazine, only to have it end this way: "For information on the finish we used," or, "For an alternative design," or, "For further information on this technique, please logon to our online version of this story." I subscribe to your MAGAZINE, dammit...and I'd hate for it to become nothing more than a referral signpost to your online content.
And that brings me to my second concern: yes, I'm computer literate...but it's so much easier to haul a magazine around to take another look at that interesting article/paragraph/sentence than it is to cart my computer around. A magazine is many times more user-friendly when comparing measurements, when comparing pictures to related text, and when making notes to tweak a design to my own liking. And like somebody else already said, the computer WON'T be going into the shop with me when I'm ready to start building.
Other than that...Happy New Year, and best wishes for the launch of the new magazine!

Speaking as a subscriber to both magazines, I am really going to miss Woodworking Magazine.

Chris & others,
Thanks for the head's up. This does make me nervous that what I love about Woodworking Magazine is going away, but I trust you will produce the same great content in the New PWW. Kudos for putting "A$$" on the cover of the first issue. We all need a little more Underhill.

What I love about WW Magazine isn't the no ads, or black & white. It's the thoughtful content that's presented very clearly. If publishing four less issues/year (total) can give you more time to put out thoughtful content, then I'm for it.

Re: online content. Please don't get distracted with Twitter and such. If you publish some online videos and SketchUp files and such, that's fine, but this blog is a perfectly fine forum and things like Twitter don't really add much (in my humble opinion). I agree with someone else who said that the discounts offered through Twitter are a bit unfair.

At first I was also a bit worried about how the subscription will work out since I'm subscribed to both, but now that I think about it I am sure you will do whatever the right thing is. I have always been impressed with how customer service-minded you guys are.

Good luck, and Happy New Year! May 2010 be even better than 2009!

after reading more of the responses I would like to add that a "Journal" might be a fine description of what you guys produce.

You sure arent "broadcasting" something that natters for my attention.

So is there one more issue of woodworking magazine or none?

I'm with the others who are sad to see woodworking magazine go. But I understand that you can only do so much and need to focus limited resources where they can be the most productive. Good luck with the changes.

Bryce

As a satisfied subscriber to both mags, I'd ask that you resist the temptation in your new iteration to be inappropriately influenced by your advertisers when writing your articles. Your editorial independence found within the pages of Woodworking Magazine is one of the primary reasons I have been a faithful subscriber. Don't turn to the dark side now!!

Chris and Other Staffers,

I am sure that combining the two publications is an action you believe will result in a better quality publication that will be more profitable and manageable than continuing to publish two separate magazines. I hope this belief will be realized.

My prime criterion for a wood working magazine is content--in my case content regarding wood working with hand tools rather than power tools. While I notice and appreciate factors such as size and quality of paper, layout, photographs and illustrations, writers and writing style, I subscribe because of content that is useful and relevant to me as a hand tool wood worker. I realize that in today's world most folks use power tools and a wood working magazine must meet the needs of this majority. However, I have a tipping point, so if the new magazine delivers hand tool wood working content in sufficient quantity then I will continue my subscription.

Regarding the linkage between the new publication and related online content, I have mixed feelings. I am not a Luddite, but am infuriated when an article is incomplete and refers me to an online continuation for which I must pay an additional subscription. I certainly hope this will not be the case in the new scheme.

Overall, I have confidence that the new publication plans will be at least as good as what is being replaced. Good luck in this new venture.

Cheers,
John

First, I commend you for using OpenID.

Second, you didn't say anything about the possible cost of "more content online". When I read that, I thought immediately of FWW's endless spam to sign up (pay) for online content in addition to the cost of the magazine subscription - in effect two publications, one print, one online.

I hope this isn't just just a way for you to continue to sell two magazines, with PWW's successor remaining in print and WW's successor going online. If you're following FWW's model, the online successor would lose the cost of distribution, shift the cost of printing to subscribers, and maybe add advertising where none existed before. I suppose it would be an easier sell for you since you already have two publications, but still....

Steve (doubtful but hopeful)

Hi Chris,

I am also very happy about this change. I was thinking about dropping my PWW subscription in favor of Woodworking Mag (I am trying to limit the number of mags I get and WW is a little bit closer to my taste), but now I do not have to do that. I am looking forward to the changes.

-Jason

Chris and the staff at PWW/WW magazines, I am nervous about this merger of the two magazines. Truthfully, I have subscribed to Woodworking Magazine since the first edition and enjoy it in part of the lack of ads, so adding them is (for me) a non-starter. I have never subscribed to PWW, in part because I really didn't like it when I was getting interested in woodworking. I hope the merger goes well and that my fears are not borne out (as I want to have the best of both come to the new magazine; though I have more interest in the Woodworking mag's way it is presented and done); I will read through all that come my way (as I renewed my subscription to WW recently enough) and hope that the new magazine will be as enticing as WW has been. I hope the merger doesn't push me away from you guys, as WW is a great source of no-BS woodworking advice, that helps a new woodworker learn.

Anthony

I must say that I am not thrilled. I love both magazines for their seperate strengths and formats, but I will try to keep an open mind.
However, I hope you will keep the little philosophical quotes in the new issue that are so prominent, thought provoking, and enjoyable in "Woodworking".
They are both great magazines and I will miss them. I am positive that I will adjust too and eventually fall in love with the new magazine as well.
Thanks
Lawrance Glenn

While I am sure the integration of these two magazines into one will be a win-win result for all concerned, I just can't get my head around subscribing to a hard copy magazine. I never did subscribe to magazines in general, but WW and PWW were two that were on my list as magazines I regularly picked up off the news stand.

A few years ago I was given a subscription to an online magazine that related to my profession and the experience immediately made me a died-in-the-wool online subscriber. Since then I have refused to buy one single hard copy, although recently I had to bend that rule by accepting a subscription to a Canadian magazine in leu of payment for some artwork of mine they wanted.

The benefits of online publications are far an above anything you can get from a hard copy, and while these two magazines try to blend the two, I can't force myself to subscribe to either or the resulting single until they move completely to digital.

There is one competitor of WW and PWW that is trying desperately to move to the online game and I subscribed to them for a year. Because they refuse to integrate their magazine with their online publication, I gave the subscription up when it ran out. You can try to suck and blow at the same time, but usually it is an impossible feat.

Turning my back on hard copy is not a save the environment thing, although I do think using trees, even recycled ones, for hard copy magazines is a huge waste, but just a value for the money ideology. There is no comparison between a hard copy article about a given project that lays out a few images, the odd graphic and acres of words to an online article on the same subject. Because the online article uses memory instead of expensive paper and ink, the visuals are unlimited, their size maximized and their text adjustable (a big issue with those of us with sight impairments). On top of that, if a particular item is mentioned, the online presentation can offer a direct link to an outside source that is relative to that item. Online magazines are just far and above anything available in hard copy.

Let's face it, Chris Schwarz is a bloody genius when it comes to getting the most out of publishing in the how-to industry, at least from a reader's perspective. I know it is a difficult, expensive gamble to make the switch from print to digital, but if I were the powers that be at FW Media, I couldn't think of a better person to lead the change. The problem is, FW seems to be stuck in the Gutenberg era as even their publications relevant to today's technology are still printed.

Sadly, I will have to pass on the changes to PWW and WW until someone sees the light, but I will still take every opportunity to support Chris and his publications in any other way possible.

Peace,

Mitchell

Hi Chris n All,

I subscribe to Both.

It would seem that if I have 4 issues of The Magazine left, my other subscription would be extended by 4 issues.

I'm looking forward to seeing what the final details end up to be.

I also really enjoy the magazines and your Staff.

Thank you very much,
Joe

Given the overlapping audience and complementary goals of the two magazines, this move makes perfect sense to me. Since PWM and WM are the only two magazines I currently subscribe to, I'm definitely looking forward to the new and improved PWM. Keep up the good work Chris!

Chris & Staff:

I love the magsand tust you guys implicitly that if you make a change, it will be for the better.

My concern though is whether there will continue to be a hand-tool/technique-focused weblog such as this or if the two blogs will be merged just as the mags will be? I really hope not, because I realy, really enjoy this blog as is and have probably learned 80% of what I know about hand tools and their use from this very place. I still read the PWW blog, but it would be a dissapointment if the two didn't continue to exist autonomously.

No matter what happens, thanks for all your hard work and dedication to the craft. Your blog ALONE has been worth the price of a subscription - and it's free.

Reed Robinson
Dallas, TX

I sure hope this is an April Fools joke. Why fix something that isn't broken? I subscribe to Woodworking because it is different than all the others and contains no ads. Popular Woodworking, I'm sorry to say, is not a whole lot different than all the other magazines, in my opinion. If the new merged magazine becomes yet another periodical full of power tool reviews, gadgets and pages of inane advertising then I'll mourn the loss of Woodworking and let my charter subscription lapse. Change isn't always good...

I have to say I am one very disappointed subscriber. I paid for a subscription to WW back in July 09 and did not receive an issue until Dec 09, during this period it is obvious that the proposed changes were in train & yet there was no mention of the fact that the demise of WW was under consideration or imminent. Judging by the comments on the blog there is a lot of support and satisfaction for the Magazine. However I can only judge from my own experience and a period of five months to process a subscription does not give me confidence that I have invested wisely.

I never understood the concept of Woodworking Magazine anyway. The combination of both makes complete sense.

Chris,
I have two questions. First, How will this effect me as I subscribe to both magazines? And, Will "Out of the Woodwork" still be there on the back page waiting for me to read first?
Kevin

I loved WW for the no ads and b&w photos. Now I'll get color and ads. I am firmly in the camp that believes that color ink and dominance of the ad department killed the quality of Fine Wood Working. Presenting a cover that sort of resembles Woodworking Mag is misdirection as the distinctives of Woodworking are being lost. Since Dunbar, Underhill and Schwarz are my favorite writers, I will probably continue as a subscriber but Popular Woodworking Magazine is on very thin ice.

Joseph Pritchard

Why are people so up in arms? The majority of the articles were written by Chris. He already write for Pop Wood anyway. You guys hate ads that much? Going to miss the nostalgic black and white photos? Get a life dudes!

Hi Chris,

Scanning the many comments, I saw nothing about book publishing. Will this include books by authors other than your staff? Can you share anything with us about new book titles/subjects?

Tom - SoCal

Tom,

I know of several great books -- along the lines of Ron Hock's new one we just published -- that are in the works from outside authors.

I also know we're working on some DVD projects with outside authors.

I can't tell you details because it would tip our hand.

The world of woodworking magazines is more competitive than any category I've ever worked in. There's a small (but passionate) audience and probably too many magazines to serve that audience.

So I need to keep my lip buttoned.

Chris

On the one hand, personally, I'll be sorry to see WWM go, I've grown quite fond of its "no-ads" B&W format. On the other hand if the same type of editorial content gets delivered to my doorstep more frequently, that's a plus.

BTW, I can't believe nobody has commented on the "fogotten" r on the cover.

Take

I currently subscribe to Woodworking. Over the weekend I received an invitation by mail to subscribe to Popular Woodworking. Obviously you know I'm already a subscriber to one of your Magazines why are you trying to sell me another magazine if you are merging them? Doesn't seem very nice to me.

Bob,

Subscription services are handled by an outside company. We've notified them of the change. We'll notify them again.

Sorry for the trouble.

Chris

I'm not sure I buy into the spin you are putting on this "combining" of your two magazines. Currently you publish two magazines, Woodworking and Popular Woodworking. In April, you will be publishing one magazine, Popular Woodworking. Be honest and call a spade a spade - Woodworking Magazine, for whatever reason, is being put down and you will continue with Popular Woodworking with a redesign of the cover to make it look like more like Woodworking. Very disappointing and misleading to your subscribers and loyal readers.

Woodworking Magazine is a unique publication amongst the rest of the magazines, including Popular Woodworking, that have very little to differentiate themselves from one another. Same articles, different authors, endless pages devoted to power tool reviews and the latest useless gadgets. I bought the occasional issue of PW if there was something of interest in it, but I found very little in it on a regular basis to make me want to subscribe or even buy it from the newsstand on a regular basis.

I am a charter subscriber to Woodworking Magazine. I looked forward to each issue and read each magazine from cover to cover. I can't say the same for Popular Woodworking. Receiving a copy of Popular Woodworking in my mail box will be a poor substitute for Woodworking and certainly not what I paid for. My subscription to Woodworking does not expire for another year. Rather than accepting PW in lieu of Woodworking, I'll be looking for a cash refund for the balance of my subscription. I will not accept PW as a substitute.

Steve Fairbairn
Vancouver, BC, Canada

Steve,

When I think about this first issue, which I have planned and edited, I think it's fair to say its DNA is two parts Woodworking Magazine to one part Popular Woodworking.

I'm sorry that your feel the way you do, but I personally think the magazine will be better. Otherwise, I'd resign. And that's not spin. It's the honest truth. Just ask my wife.

All the best,

Chris

I don't care what you call it... Call it Popular WoodWork Mechanics for all I care. Just have articles that are inspiring for me as a reader. Include design ideas and different mediums like metal into furniture design. Have articles about blacksmithing and tool making.. For God sake you already know Don Weber for crying out loud.

Hi Chris,

I for one will be glad to see PW on better paper. I save issues, and better paper means the magazine holds up longer. So bravo! I too am interested to see how you compensate us double subscribers. And while you're making changes, how about dumping your outside subscription/marketing company? Their tactics, such as trying to trick me into renewing when my subscriptions when they aren't even close to expiring, have annoyed me for sometime. They do you no credit. Woodworkers don't need to be tricked; they're a pretty loyal bunch. Keep up the great editorial work in the new, combined publication and everything and you can count on a loyal base of readers.

Skip Taylor
Highlands, NC

Advertising has always been a very very small part of our revenue stream. The vast majority of our money comes from subscribers. So I know where my bread is buttered.

Advertisers have never tried to change what I write in 14 years. If they did, I'd tell them to sod off. If my publisher told me otherwise, I'd resign.

Hope this helps explain my position.

All the best.

Chris

This is a little disappointing because I also receive both magazines. I guess I'll have less hardcopy reading. I really enjoyed the format (no ads, b&w) of WW, and the web-zine idea is interesting.
Will the lower cost of online publishing translate into more content? We'll find out won't we?

In the end, I have no real fear because I trust the folks at both FWW and WW.

john

Chris,
This is a great idea. I keep everyone of the Popular Woodworking and Woodworking magazines. To have both in one volume makes it so much easier to maintain. I have no fear whatsoever that we will lose anything in the merger - I see only great things for the future. And in my opinion, if this does help to save you some publishing expenses it is just an extra bonus.

Richard

Hi Chris,
I like both PWW and WW magazines, but Wood Working is my favorite because of the lack of advertising clutter and the no nonsense approach, and the truly useful information for WW skill development (like Cooks Illustrated as one person already stated). I often wondered how you were able to produce these two excellent magazines and still have a life of your own. Did you have to e-mail a photo of yourself to your family before coming home so as not to be mistaken for an intruder ?
Hope the new combo works out and leans more heavily toward the Wood Working magazine format. I look forward to the new PWW mag and will give you very candid feedback on it; I'm sure others will too.
Best wishes, Mike O'Brien, Valley Head,AL