From: starcat@netcom.com (Solaris Gato)
Subject: Re: Where is YARF?
Organization: Netcom - Online Communication Services (408 241-9760 guest)
Date: Thu, 12 Nov 1992 01:04:21 GMT

In article <1992Nov10.173208.8590@iscsvax.uni.edu> peacock5293@iscsvax.uni.edu (Greywolf) writes:
>In article <1992Nov9.043811.25479@netcom.com>, fuzzy@netcom.com (Fuzzy Fox) writes:
>> it by now.  If so, I'll have to go bug somebody at YARF HQ.  Again.
>
>I'd be *very* disappointed if Yarf went under, primarily since they're, IMHO,
>*the* general-theme furry fanzine around right now.  Yeah, Bestiary might have
>the edge on being predictable in terms of schedule, but Bestiary's mostly a
>pin-up digest.  I was rather enthusiastic about Zoomorphica, but still don't
>know if that's really going to be a regular title.  In any case, I'd really
>hate to see Yarf go under.  I've been wondering -- If it *is* in trouble,
>*why*?  Do the organizers just not have enough time?  Not enough subscribers? 
>Not enough capital?  I have no idea what's involved in running a fanzine, and
>would certainly be interested.  I may *talk* about how neat it would be to
>start a fanzine, but without knowing what I'd be getting myself into, that
>would be a pretty silly think to embark on -- particularly since there seem to
>already be enough fanzines out there.  How much money is tied up in the running
>of a "serious" furry fanzine, such as Yarf?

I have not the slightest clue as to YARF!'s status, but I can offer some
clues as to what goes into doing a fanzine.
 
First, if you are going to be the quality of one like YARF! as far as paper
and printing, then the MINIMUM you will pay for the copying of the initial
print run of each issue, assuming a 48-64 page count, thicker stock for the
covers than the interior, etc. And a copy count of around 200-250. It will
be about $300-350. And that is assuming that you have hunted around for the
lowest price for best quality or have a "contact" that works at a copy place
and can get it done for employee price. Of course, if you have the equipment
yourself like a Kodak 6250 or better and/or work for a place that has one,
then you might be able to do it for a lot less. Maybe even at COST. But that
is still $150 to $250 for a 200 issue copy count. That is materials, copier
supplies, paper, etc.
 
Next there is TIME. The average issue of YARF! took them about 8-10 weeks if
not longer. This was back around issue 8-15. I think they had the preperation
of one issue going that would overlap with the next. So on the average they
could get a issue out every 6 weeks or so.
 
And that is with a staff of, oh, 3 main people and 3 others from time to time.
With other hangers on also helping. (This is a informed guess, and therefore
may not be accurate.)
 
From personal experience, doing most of the work yourself and trying to get it
out the door every 8 to 12 weeks, it is almost a 8hr a day job. IF you are 
doing it by yourself. And MOST 'zines are basically one-person operations with
numerious "hangers on" helping from time to time. That is why many have 
erratic schedules and contents - A one-person operation will reflect the 
status of the person involved. If that person is busy a lot on non-zine things,
then the 'zine will come out less often, if at all. If that person has a lot of
free time and is motivated to produce the zine, then they will be able to get them
out based on the amount of productive work they can do in a day. And based on
how picky they are about what goes in, and how quickly people get camera-
ready material in to them. I personally could turn one out at this level
about every 8 weeks. Give or take 2 weeks and delays from supplies and/or
submissions. 
 
And my GUESS of total expenses, assuming a 200 copy count, 64 pages a 
issue. Xerox reproduced. Coverstock covers. One Person core production
staff. Doing your own paste-up. And all the various and sundry.
$500 MINIMUM per initial print run.
 
Oh, and all that is based on 1989 prices of such things. And then if you 
mail out issues, throw in about $2.00 per each issue you put in the mail
($1.30 if shipped third class). Add on top of that anything extra fancy you
might do like color covers and what not. This is also all assuming that
you are not the head of or have major connections in the publishing industry.
(Which is how Ever Changing Palace can do things like it does and only
charge approx $7.50 a issue.)
 
That what you were looking for?
 
-starcat