The condition could've been a little better but the overall condition was fine. I feel that it is a very well put how to book. It gives the tips that you need to succeed.

I believe this book is best suited for those who have the means to pay for study groups, and pay a small to mid-sized in house staff. However, if you're like me, and you're winging it on your own, on a shoe string budget, there is little here to glean. For example: page 163 refers to 5 golf publications as reference points - each of which have circulations between 25,000 and 149,000. If your magazine will jump off with this sort of starting circulation - you've found your book. If you're like me and your publication will start with a circulation of about 3,000 - this isn't the book for you. There are many pages of discussion about building your publishing team; as well as many pages on how to secure financing/loans/investors to float your publication - these categories seemed geared towards larger publications. Design itself was an aspect I'd hoped she'd elaborate on. However, it was glossed over - the printed version of the magazine design being covered on pages 63 through 67. I was taken aback that for all the money that was discussed as necessary for starting a publication, the author suggests (on page 359-360) that you may save money by personally designing your own web site - although she does suggest that having a professional designer might ultimately be best. I was disappointed overall. But as I said, if you're starting a much larger venture - and you'll have staff to care for many issues for you - this may still be a useful book.

Starting & Running a Successful Newsletter or Magazine should be on the desk or bookshelf of every would-be or early-stage publisher (maybe seasoned professionals as well)! I have read a number of other books on this subject and, from my point of view, Cheryl Woodard's thoughtful, direct and insightful work is easily the best I have come across.

Not only is her past experience in starting 3 successful magazines clearly on display here, but Ms. Woodard has continued to bring the book up-to-date with the latest trends for introducing a newsletter or magazine to the market and managing the publication after introduction. In addition, she has assembled a list of contacts and other important information that will be an immediate benefit to any new publisher.

This book will stay close at hand for me as a resource and problem reference!

If you're ready to become a publisher, it would be wise to head the experience of the co-founder of three very successful magazines in Starting & Running a Successful Newsletter or Magazine: it tells everything from how to find readers and stay ahead of the competition for their interest to understanding different circulation options, from newsstands to vendors, and learning how the entire distribution process works. This 5th updated edition explores web publishing and blogging, showing how to integrate this into an overall marketing and publishing strategy. An excellent pick for both general-interest and college-level libraries.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

I did not find this book to be very useful. For one thing, it seems to assume that if you're going to publish a magaine you had better have a lot of money. I didn't have a lot of money, so this book started out by making me feel like I ought to throw my idea away. Second, it has a lot of information about management (how to make business decisions, budgeting, strategy, subscribers are a leaking bucket, blah blah) but I was already past that. I just wanted to know how to get started. Nothing truly practical here. If you're just thinking about starting a magazine, this book gives a decent overview of how to think about and plan your idea. If you're already in the process of putting together your magazine, you need something different. I recommend "How Not to Start a Magazine" by B. Ann Bell.