Announcement re: Model Engineers' Workshop

There is one big problem I have to tackle to publish more short articles. If by 'short' we mean 1-5 pages, then the average length is three pages.

Looking at articles that are 'banked up' for the next few issues, the typical longer article is 20 pages.

So to fill the same number of pages as one long article, I need seven short ones.

Despite what it may seem, long articles can need more editing effort (on a per page basis) than short ones (they need to be split into sections, references have to be checked and amended but now span multiple issues of the magazine, and any amendments need to be made mindful of the whole series, not just the one instalment.

There is space for both types of article in MEW, though there seems to be agreement that more short articles would be welcome. That said, I don't want to disillusion writers of good, longer articles so they shouldn't fear becoming an endangered species.

Many of the best writers can produce short as well as long series, but I am sure that putting three articles by Fred the Shed in each of seven successive issues might be equally unpopular. So, the challenge I face is enthusing a large number of new authors to come forward.

Hence, saying 'if you want to see new content, write some yourself' isn't flippant, it's practical. It isn't elitist either.

Another possibility is changing how articles are split. Two parters could become longer single part articles (but this reduces variety). Long series could be split into smaller parts, making more room for short articles, but then they drag out for longer.

One approach that will work for some topics, but not others, is the linked series, where each article stands alone but still forms a body of work when taken together (my own first articles for MEW were structured in this way).

It's all a balancing act, and I don't expect to find any magic numbers. All I can do is ask encourage new writers and old alike to consider different ways of presenting their work, and experiment with different ways of presenting the content. Then listen to the feedback (hopefully not in green ink or ALL IN CAPITALS) and learn from it.

Anyone interested in expressing a personal view on the content of MEW or offering to write for it can contact me on neil.wyatt @ mytimemedia.com (delete spaces)

Neil

Edited By JasonB on 12/02/2014 16:59:06

Neil I know that you have a limited budget for articles and not all authors would want to do it but only get paid for the printed pages. But when you contact new or existing authors as I know you have already been doing before things went public is it worth asking if they will be willing for part of the article to be made available on the web site such as additional photos, drawings and dare I say it pages of Code.

That way you could have 3 pages in the mag and the additional 2 pages on the website maybe free to subscribers and pay per view/download to the occasional magazine buyer who wants to read the full article?

J

Neil,

For info ...

[On the iPad] Clicking the hyperlinked eMail address in your last post opens a web page instead of an eMail window ... together with a warning that it's a possible phishing site.

I'm fairly sure there is nothing sinister ... but it would be worth a look.

MichaelG.

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Edit: The hyperlink is    http://[email protected]/

... so there is obviously something wrong with how it hyperlinks eMail addresses.

Edited By Michael Gilligan on 12/02/2014 10:19:21

Totally agree with the model of using the web page as an overrun for code and extra photos.

The recent articles in 213 could definitely have used that. I talk about pictures of a car boot, pictures of a lock clasp and multiple pictures of lathe extras. Four pictures to show a thread being cut by a die. I am sure the list is not exhaustive.

Cnc articles could be included (although a book would be better way to learn imo - read and get on with it rather than wait a month to carry on) and use the website to host the code itself as.

The magazine has about a ratio of 30% advert to other pages. Please use those other pages well and not lots of pictures unless showing the finished article or special set ups etc.

Neil

As Michael G has indicated the link opens the Mytime web page but unlike Michael I get NO warning re phishing or any other threat flagged up, probably a false positive.

Cheers

Martin

Link changed, thanks for pointing it out

Neil, you may want to get your details added to the "contact" page rather than possible new authors sending things to DC1

J

Edited By JasonB on 12/02/2014 10:34:07

I can only wish you well Neil, you have an uphill challenge.

Talking to a much respected past Model Engineer Editor at the Alley Pally show he identified that one of your major challenges to getting real quality input is the copyright demanded by Myhobbystore in comparison with the amount being paid per page. The likes of GHT, Chaddock, Hughes, LBSC, Evans etc, all made additional money by publishing their excellent work later as books, with today's MHS copyright you have lost that opportunity, other publishers are still more reasonable.

Jo

Mention was made earlier about the article on a miniature drilling machine by Stephen Bondfield. I don't wish to be too critical but I seem to have been waiting for ever to find out how the motor is wired up, which is my main interest in the article. I think this is an example of a series which has had too many parts and rather too many drawings. The current issue (213) has hardly moved things on ( more drawings and no words )

Having said the above I always enjoy receiving my monthly copy of the magazine and wish the new editor every success with it. One of these days I might get round to writing an article and then realise just how difficult it is to please everybody.

Doug

I think you also have to consider that for some series articles (i.e the ones that would potentially be turned into books - construction articles, for example), an author will be paid several thousand pounds in some cases, especially when drawings are published. He or she has also had the work professionally edited and 'produced' and has no further costs whatsoever. Just something to throw into the mix ...

Diane

Diane, at least they would have the option to produce books from the articles if they had first had them published in a different magazine, rather than having all rights removed once the article was published by MTM which is the point Jo is trying to make and that the amount paid for the article by MTM may not reflect the fact the author cannot earn any more from it.

J

Keith & V8Eng,

Thanks for the references. I was aware that a Sturmey Archer gearbox has been used in such a way. Whether or not I ever get round to doing some serious thinking about the idea remains to be seen: after all, I've managed quite well for the last 20 years with a minimum speed of 125rpm which makes me wonder about my need for it, other than sheer curiosity as to whether I can actually do it.

Everyone else,

Reading through some of the other comments re article length, I have recently submitted an article to Neil on a repair or, to be strictly accurate, a part replacement job. Unfortunately it is a long one. Whilst naturally there is a certain delight in seeing one's name in print, I have to admit that I don't really think this particular article is true model engineering. In fact, I wrote it as a direct result some time ago of some comments in this forum by people objecting to established writers using phrases such as "in the usual manner" when almost by definition, a newcomer to the hobby will not know what this is. As a result, I wrote the article to show just what can be done with basic tools, that is, if a lathe and accessories can be called basic tools. I also went into depth about my reasons for doing something in a particular way, and with hindsight how I would do it better. I also included details of some small handtools that I made, not necessarily for this job, and the reasons why they were better. Finally, I included notes on all the mistakes I made, something that doesn't usually appear. The reason for all of this was to show how I approached things, and messed up, in the hope that newcomers would see that some of us are not geniuses, and hence would not become disillusioned. And if it manages to persuade someone to have a go, then that would be even better.

Now I don't if Neil will publish it or not. It doesn't matter to me because I'm not in this for the money nor am I in it for the glory. But, I've tried to answer an identified need in the best way that I can, but it takes a lot of space (for me) to impart that sort of information.

In respect of photographs, I've already said that one photograph can replace a thousand words. The article above does indeed have a lot of photos. Is it better to use a photo to demonstrate the technique, or is it better to describe it in words? I don't know.

Let me give you an example of where I have found photographs useful. For a long time, I always wondered whether my turning was good enough as even what I thought was smooth had lines on it. Then, with the increase in photography, I realised that other people's work had also lines on it. This then served to a) show that my work was perhaps acceptable, or maybe not; and b) to show what I should be aiming for. So to me, photos can be very helpful. And yes, I do agree that they can take up a lot of space.

In reality, I don't know what the answer is. Should I desist from submitting articles because I cannot write succinctly? Should I desist from relating my experiences, my failures, my reasons for doing something a certain way? Should all articles, not necessarily mine, be limited to the barebones of do this, do that, do the other, and all will be well? I don't know - you tell me.

Regards,

Peter G. Shaw

I cannot see me ever wanting to use anything I might write for ME or MEW elsewhere on a commercial basis, but I wonder if the exclusivity would prevent one from using the material, in a different form and not commercially, on a public forum. Say for instance I write an article based on something I have made for my traction engines. Would the deal prevent me from discussing the parts, albeit in a different style of writing, on say the TractionTalk forum?

Regards,

Andrew

Regarding the matter of Copyright:

I think [hope] that there is some confusion in the recent posts, between the Terms for use of the website and the Terms for articles submitted for publication in the magazines.

If I recall correctly [and, apologies if I do not], MTM only gets "First Publication Rights" on the magazine articles.

... Please correct me if I am wrong !!

MichaelG.

MichaelG: That was how it used to be... it has changed but the payments didn't increase to reflect it.

It should be of no concern to most writers who just knock together the odd article for some pin money but, if like Anthony Mount, it provides your living then you are likely to publish elsewhere.

Andrew: Copyright doesn't work like that. But be careful if you post your drawings if they formed part of the article.... But nothing stops you doing prior publication on forums like Stuart Hart does with some of his material before it is published in ME .

Jo

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Thanks, Jo

I haven't considered submitting anything recently, so had not checked.

And ... On that basis, I won't be bothering to submit anything.

MichaelG.

Neil

Congratulations on your new post. From what you've said on the subject so far you seem to have a good grasp of the problems and a balanced view of what is required. I'm optimistic for the future of MEW and wish you all the best in your endeavours.

Scott

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Jason,

Things will probably get into synch. soon; but ... I just clicked that new link, and [despite displaying as Neil's address] it composes mail to David Clark.

MichaelG.

Hello All,

I understand the author agreement is being amended, but in the short term I'm seeking clarification on the copyright issue.

This link for email should work: [email protected]

Thanks

Neil

Edited By Duncan Armstrong 1 on 12/02/2014 14:40:40

Peter G. Shaw

PM sent.

Keith

Michael G and others

I have looked again at the MTM agreements. They use careful wording but I believe when you strip it down they say that an author gives them the right to publish your material in whichever magazine or medium operated by them in perpetuity. There is no mention of repeat fees for that exclusivity. The phrasing looks daunting and is quite intimidating and it does look as though they can claim the copyright.

However, as the author, you and only you will own the Copyright to your own material and I don't believe MTM or anyone else can prevent you publishing the work again elsewhere. The usual caveats of not just sending it out as a carbon copy as it appered in the MTM publication and/or copying the layout used by MTM would have to apply.

I think too that if an author expands on an original piece of work, even though part of it was published by MTM, it then becomes a new work and the author is free to take it to wherever he/she pleases.

If however my interpretation of all this is wrong and you will have sold your soul to the devil, then contributions will cease to appear and MTM will ultimately fold. I do hope that is not the case; to get it properly verified means seeing your solicitor at £xxx per hour.

Brian