I have seen on the internet that Kalmbach had there doll house magazine up for sale.
Is there anything “we” in Garden Railways type of people need to worry about?
Here was the artical:
“Viva Dollhouse Miniatures Magazine!
Earlier this year Kalmbach Publishing announced that they were looking for a buyer for Dollhouse Miniatures Magazine and planned to stop publishing it as of the September 2004 issue. Well, I guess the heavy-set, weight-challenged woman hadn’t yet sung because an announcement was released today that Madavor Media has purchased Dollhouse Miniatures Magazine. Madavor’s Publisher, Susan Fitzgerald, notes, “Dollhouse Miniatures is a natural fit with our other collectibles magazines, Doll Reader and Teddy Bear and Friends. They, too, are the leaders in their fields and serve audiences of passionate enthusiasts. With our staff’s expertise and our company’s commitment to excellence, I am confident we will provide the readers and advertisers of Dollhouse Miniatures with the quality contents and service they have come to expect from the magazine.”” http://miniatures.about.com/b/a/105781.htm
Sounds like low circulation, Klambake must be consolidating its belongings. I dont think GR is in any danger, its bi-monthly and theres a lot of other RR mags out there with lower subscribership. Also i rarely see mags like Dollhouse Miniatures on the rack at Border Books or B&N. That might also be a bit of a hurt to its numbers.
Hey Guys,
I don’t think you have anything to worry about. Circulation is doing well…and it’s been around for a long time too! The fact that manufacturers are still bringing out new products means the hobby as a whole is OK. As for Kalmbach…I think sales would have to drop quite a bit over time before they would dump it. Later eh…Brian.
Yeah, I paid till 2006.
Bman, I just love this magazine and hope it would not go to another group because I love the people who make the magazine truely Garden Railways.
But there are thoses at the TOP of the food chain that I hope they don’t get houngry enought to sell out.
Rene where are you when I need you?[:D]
They did drop a toys magazine a few years ago due to low circulation. Personally, I don’t subscribe to more than one year because the savings are miniscule and sometimes a magazine changes editors and policy which may not be in sync with my reason for purchasing the magazine in the past.
If you enjoy this forum but don’t buy Garden Railways mag. maybe you should. Remember, the mag. is part of a business and if the numbers are not right the mag. could be sold.
And if that happens this forum would most likely disappear in short order. SO, if you like this forum, buy the magazine.
Don’t worry guys. I have a feeling that doll houses just aren’t the hobby that they once were. Barbie and Polly Pockets have probably made a pretty serious dent in traditional fine scale doll houses. Garden railroading is more likely on the upswing, as it is a great outdoor activity which blends two hobbies together, and can be fun for the entire family.
I don’t know about the rest of you but I would spend a little more a year for Garden Railroads to be a monthly magazine. Ever other month just isn’t enough!
Speaking of buyn I already buy Garden Railways, Trains and Classic Trains and it is great reseach books to me not magazines.
I have a shelf now cleared and stocking with these fine magazines [^]
The reason they don’t go monthly is the lack of aritcles to fill out the magazine. I have seen publications go from 6 a year to full year and they strained to get in enough “meat” to fill the magazine, often cutting down the number of pages.
I really don’t feel it would be that hard to get the “meat” to fill it. You could have more readers pics, scratchbuilding, pullout plans, even prototype info if not on a R.R. line than on loco’s and rolling stock. If there looking for new blood to contribute, they wouldn’t have to look any farther than this forum. Marty Cozad did an artical on scratch building grade crossings. Phil Creer has wonderful knowledge that has been helpful to many members. The off month they have now could be filled with contributions from this forum alone.
I appreciate your concern, but believe me, GR is in no danger. Kalmbach publishes 14 different leisure and hobby magazines (if your’e interested: http://kalmbach.com/kpc/html/magazines/magazines.asp ) and an all new title, Art Jewelry, will launch soon. The dollhouse magazine had less than half the readers of GR and it fits much better with its new publisher’s other magazines on doll collecting and teddy bears.
Michael Stephens
Vice President, Marketing
Kalmbach Publishing Co.
Hi Michael,
Thanks for setting us straight here. We here on the forum all enjoy GR on a regular basis. The latest issue is outstanding. A lot of usefull articles. Even my wife is flipping through it! This means a LOT here! Thanks again! Later eh…Brian.
From what i understand they are thinking of combing this Dolls house magazine with our railway magazine in the hope of attracting more gay people to the hobby.