Even as the digital shift continues, print magazines remain a vital part of a multilayered, interconnected media marketplace. The new magazines launched in 2014 display publishers’ appreciation of, and commitment to, the value of the printed page. Mediafinder.com reported that 190 magazines were launched in 2014, compared to 185 in 2013. Last year also saw the closure of 99 titles, as opposed to the 56 that ceased in 2013. The Mediafinder report notes that many closures were owing to the publisher Source Interlink ending several special interest automotive magazines such as Popular Hot Rodding. Another big driver of ceased titles was the bankruptcy of three craft magazine publishers all owned by the same family: about 20 craft magazines, including The Quilter, PaintWorks, Creative Woodworks, Bead Design Studio, Quilt It Today, and Knit 123, bit the dust when All American Crafts and its sister companies closed shop.
The Magazine Publishers of America (MPA) publishes an annual report on the state of the magazine market. Beginning last year, the MPA established a new metric called “magazine media 360°,” based on the premise that “consumers are increasingly engaging with magazine media content across the entire digital ecosystem.” The new measure of readership analyzes use of print and digital editions, the web, mobile, and video. Based on consumer use of all these platforms, the MPA reports a ten percent increase in gross audience for magazines from 2013 to 2014. The past year’s readership of 1,475,519 is reported to be 69 percent print/digital editions, 14 percent web, 16 percent mobile, and one percent video. Mobile web use exceeded desktop/laptop for the first time in 2014. According to the MPA, tablet ownership is now at 42 percent of the adult population, and 58 percent of adults own a smartphone. This data on readers’ modes of accessing content indicates that mobile access to online editions of magazines can be expected to continue its rise.
High-quality production
Online and mobile use may be on the way up, but the publishers of these best new magazines of 2014 clearly still value and have faith in print. A common characteristic of all of this year’s selections is high-quality production. The graphic designs, print caliber, and choices of paper and binding are all well matched to the magazines’ editorial purposes and are in many cases exceptionally well executed. There is not a cheaply produced magazine in the lot. Is it mere coincidence that seven of this year’s ten best are quarterlies? Perhaps four issues per year is a sweet spot among possible publication patterns for a print magazine in the current multimedia serials market.
Several magazines that didn’t quite make this year’s list are nonetheless worth noting. New Philosopher (newphilosopher.com), launched in August 2013, provides readable philosophical takes on current topics. Another interesting title is Specimen (specimenmagazine.org), which debuted in 2012 and offers interviews with professors and others experts. A few new 2014 titles, too, were serious contenders for top ten. A notable new release is Crab Fat (crabfatmagazine.com), a brash online-only literary magazine that solicits “frank language…even if that means using profanity and non-standard English.” Another attractive 2014 launch is Stampington & Co.’s Willow & Sage (stampington.com/willow-and-sage), a specialty crafting magazine devoted to homemade bath and body products. Finally, Technologist (technologist.com) is an intriguing publication of “innovation explained” from the EuroTech Universities Alliance.
The best new magazines of 2014 provide strong evidence for a continued role in the media marketplace for print across topical categories. Here are ten of the best among a strong field.
Bella Grace. q. $69.99. Ed: Christen Hammons. bellagracemagazine.com
Bella Grace offers self-help intermingled with beautiful photography in hopes of inspiring women to be charmed by the simple things in life. A pastel pallet and extensive use of soft focus imbue a sort of misty, ethereal context for the inspirational quotes and stories. Its oversize format, lush illustration, and overall artistic good taste make each issue suitable for use as a coffee-table book. Men may also enjoy Bella Grace, but it is obviously produced by and for women. The relatively high price is justified by the very high quality of each issue’s 160 pages.
Big Life. q. $14.95. Ed: Ryan Waterfield. biglifemag.com
Big Life is a lifestyle and travel magazine rooted in the publisher’s home of Sun Valley, ID. The freewheeling nature of the editorial content supports the claim that “editorial, design, and administrative offices are located wherever we happen to be with our computers and half a second to nurture a complete thought.” That’s potentially a really bad thing, but the editorial team has succeeded in putting together a coherent, attractive, interesting magazine about the Mountain West. The food and lifestyle information will interest a broad audience.
C|NET. q. $9.99/yr. Ed: Lindsey Turrentine. cnet.com
Need proof that the print format is still viable? Look no further than CNET’s decision to launch a print magazine after almost 20 years of successfully publishing technology reviews and news exclusively online. Visually attractive and interesting, C|NET offers much more than reviews of the latest gadgets, for instance, security issues with smart homes, the psychological costs of being too connected due to “fear of missing out,” and Elon Musk’s Tesla Motors. But of course the bulk of the magazine is about the newest and coolest gizmos and gadgets. A fun read and a great source in which to serendipitously discover the perfect gift for your favorite technogeek.
The Cleaver Quarterly. q. $60. Ed: Jonathan White. thecleaverquarterly.com
The great thing about this magazine of Chinese food culture published in Beijing, China, for an English-speaking audience, is its success at describing how Chinese people living around the world experience their cuisines and food folkways. Articles about China’s train food (not a happy picture), “My Grandma the Food Bully,” global pork buns, foraging for mushrooms, and a worldwide review of Chinese restaurant matchbox covers inform and fascinate. Recipe-free, The Cleaver is not a cookery magazine, it’s a culture magazine. Well written, edited, and illustrated; a valuable addition to the study of Chinese culture.
Craft Beer & Brewing. q. $29.99. Ed: Jamie Bogner. beerandbrewing.com
Unfiltered Media Group of Fort Collins, CO, is a small group of guys with solid publishing experience and a passion for craft beer. The magazine’s sharp graphic design and professional production values belie the publisher’s scrappy independence. The well-written and -illustrated articles include the expected topics of brew pubs and profiles of brewmasters, but there is also extensive how-to information, brew recipes, and dishes for suggested food pairings. Each issue includes reviews of about 40 beers. Commendable attention is paid to training the tasting panel and using experimentally sound blind testing techniques to produce valid, trustworthy reviews.
Dr. Oz The Good Life. 10/yr. $14. Ed: Jill Herzig. doctorozmag.com
Mehmet Oz, M.D., is identified on the masthead as the founding editor of the newest magazine from Hearst Communications. Like Oz’s eponymous television show, The Good Life breezily touches on a broad array of health and wellness topics. Admittedly rather superficial, the magazine displays both the reasons Oz enjoys broad popularity and why he has detractors. Hearst doesn’t launch a new magazine halfheartedly or without the assurance of selling ample advertisements. This title is professionally made and expertly targeted to its intended audience. Worth considering for a public library’s health and wellness collection.
Pineapple. q. $12/issue. Ed: Alex Tieghi-Walker. www.airbnb.com/pineapple
The pineapple, a universal symbol of hospitality, is a fitting name for the magazine of Airbnb. Two characteristics clearly distinguish Pineapple from a typical travel magazine. First, it is produced by and for Airbnb hosts and by extension the guests who come to visit. The community focus makes Pineapple primarily a cultural geography magazine, a home for stories about neighborhoods and personal experiences. There’s not much about where to go, what to do, or what to eat. The second distinguishing characteristic is a focus on just a few locations. The attractively illustrated 128-page Winter 2014 issue is about London, Seoul, and San Francisco, for example; even frequent travelers will almost certainly learn something new.
Plough Quarterly. q. $32. Ed: Peter Mommsen. plough.com
The original Plough began its history in 1920 as a publication of the Bruderhof, originally a German movement of religious communities in the Anabaptist tradition. The magazine has experienced periodic interruptions, including once while the group escaped Nazi persecution. After ten years of having only an online presence, Plough Quarterly is back in print. Content includes both contemporary writing and reprints of classic essays. Recent contributions include Jonathan Kozol’s “Charity Is No Substitute for Justice” and a tribute to Pete Seeger. Their motto “breaking ground for a renewed world” expresses the editors’ mission to boldly and unapologetically promote a more active, practical faith in today’s culture.
Rescue Proud. b-m. $29.95. Ed: Jackie Brown. rescueproud.com
Launched as Rescue Me, this glossy is for readers “devoted to the cause of rescuing, rehabilitating, re-homing, caring for, loving, and adopting pets in need.” There’s a fair dose of warm and fuzzy stories about adopted dogs and cats and the human lives they enrich. But Rescue Proud also covers farm animals, birds, and rodents. The participants do an admirable job of balancing heartwarming stories with clear-eyed analysis of the realities of rescuing animals. A portion of each subscription is donated to a subscriber-chosen rescue organization.
Tweed’s. s-a. $25. Eds: Laura Mae Isaacman & Randy Rosenthal. tweedsmag.org
Tweed’s is a magazine of literature and art named after Boss Tweed (1823–78) and is intended to be a vehicle for commentary on the ways money has corrupted our society. It is published by the Coffin Factory, whose eponymous magazine was recognized in LJ as one of the best of 2011. Compared to Coffin Factory, Tweed’s has more interviews with authors and allows interviewees more space to comment on nonliterary concerns such as climate change and gender bias. The magazine also offers short fiction, essays, poetry, art, and art criticism. Suitable for collections of general interest literary magazines.
Steve Black is Coordinator of Reference and Library Instruction at the College of Saint Rose, Albany, NY. For many years he was LJ’s magazine reviews columnist