When we purchased Realms of Fantasy last year we truly thought that we could suceed in publishing the magazine for the foreseeable future. We were unable to realize this goal, have been loosing money, and we must regetfully announce the closure of the magazine.
During our time with the magazine we picked up without missing a single issue and were lucky enough to produce the 100th issue. We were able to introduce poetry and bring back the tabletop gaming column. We have been truly amazed at the positive feedback on the issues we have produced from all of the fans. This is what makes this decision so painful for us.
As we were considering closing the magazine we thought it was important for the October 2011 issue to be released in print for the fans. We did this knowning there would not be a return on the investment, but did it simply because we felt it was right. This does mean the October 2011 issue will be the last issue. The issue did go to newsstands and we have copies for those who are not active subscribers.
Since the October issue shipped late please allow until November 15th before contacting us about lost mailings. International subscribers please allow an additional two weeks.
We are currently trying to work with other magazines to assume the subscription list. This will ensure that subscribers get something for the portions of the subscriptions not fulfilled. This does mean that we will not be issuing refunds unless we are unable to secure a deal, at which point we will follow our posted refund policy. We will update you when we have more information.
If there is anyone interested in purchasing the magazine we will listen to all offers. Those intersted should send an email to support@rofmag.com.
In the near future we will be contacting authors and artists concerning pending work contracted by the magazine if we are unable to sell the magazine. Questions on this should be directed to support@rofmag.com.
We would like to thank Shawna McCarthy and Douglas Cohen for all of your support and help. You have both been wonderful to work with during the last year. We would also like to thank all of the remaining staff for the quality columns and attention to detail. Lastly, but definitely not least, we would like to thank all of the fans for your support and encouragement.
Please direct all further inquiries to support@rofmag.com.
William and Kim Gilchrist
Damnation Books LLC
As previously posted we have been working with other magazines to get something else for our subscribers. We now have in place the following arrangements to benefit our subscribers.
- Space and Time Magazine will be providing 1/3 of Realms of Fantasy print subscribers with a back issue, 1/3 will receive the Spring 2012 issue and the remainder will receive the Summer 2012 issue. Current Realms of Fantasy electronic-only subscribers will receive e-copies.
- Current Realms of Fantasy print subscribers are also eligible to receive electronic copies of Space and Time Magazine in addition to print, subject to their supplying Space and Time with their email addresses. Send an email to hildy@spaceandtimemagazine.com along with your mailing address from your Realms of Fantasy print subscription.
- Penumbra Magazine will be fulfilling the remaining duration for all Realms of Fantasy electronic subscribers. They will provide their November, December and January issues right away and then fullfill the remaining duration with new issues.
- Penumbra Magazine would also like to extend an offer to all Realms of Fantasy print subscribers to receive the electronic editions of their November, December, January and February issues. Penumbra Magazine will not be able to track this, so it will be on your honor. To request this please send an email to editor@penumbra.musapublishing.com.
It is still possible that we secure deals with other magazines. We will update this list if any other agreements are made.
Each of these magazines is going out of their way to provide something to Realms of Fantasy subscribers for free. I would especially like to thank both Space and Time Magazine for providing print copies due to the costs associated with printing and mailing issues. I would like to encourage our readers to subscribe to at lease one of these magazines as they are continuing to bringing great fiction to readers everywhere.
Edit Jan 18, 2012: Space and Time has already received your mailing address along with other contact information if you were an active Realms of Fantasy print subscriber. Both Space and Time and Penumbra have also received the email addresses for all of the electronic subscribers. There is no need to contact either magazine unless you need to update your information.
After one month since we announced the closure of the Realms of Fantasy we have been unable to find a buyer. All of the inquiries have either withdrawn their offers or we have not heard anything from them in over two weeks. While it is still possible for someone to come along and make an offer we need to start taking the next steps.
We are now notifying all of our subscription agencies and distribuition services of the closure. We are also returning checks received after the October issue was sent to the printer. We will be canceling all of the Paypal automatic renewals.
This month we will be working out any deals we can to get different magazines for the subscribers. We got a few promising inquiries last month, which are likely to come through.
All of the stories which were still under consideration but not yet contracted are now released. Later this month we will get in contact with all of the authors and illustrators we have contracted work to look at options.
Once again if there are any questions please direct them to support@rofmag.com.
