After much thought, I've decided to eliminate the subscription option for readers of Monsters from the Vault effective immediately. Those of you who read my editorial in issue #31 know that the time is coming when MFTV will end as a print magazine. MFTV has persevered through rising printing and postage costs combined with shrinking readership. But now I would like to start doing other things with the free time I have from my real job besides spend it looking at a computer screen while working on all things Monsters from the Vault. As of now (unless I have a change of heart), the summer 2015 issue (#36) will be the final issue of MFTV. With that issue, we will celebrate 20 years as a print magazine (about 19-1/2 years more than I had planned). It's been a great ride, but "there is an end to everything, to good things as well." From this point on, issues can be purchased only when published, or preordered once the issue appears on my Web site for preorder. The main reason for this is that when the magazine ends, I don't want to owe money to any subscribers for unfulfilled issues remaining on their subscription. While 2015 will see the end of the regular print edition of the MFTV, I still may do a Special Edition or two and maybe even another book. But time will tell. There's also the possibility of an online version, but that too would be very time-consuming, so it's only a possibility. I hope our loyal readers will continue to support us until the end and purchase individual issues as they're published, and I thank you for your support over the past 17--almost 18--years! Here's the planned publication schedule until the end:
Monsters from the Vault #32: Summer 2013
Monsters from the Vault #33: Winter 2014
Monsters from the Vault #34: Summer 2014
Monsters from the Vault #35: Winter 2015
Monsters from the Vault #36: Summer 2015 (Final 20th Anniversary Issue)
I think that after 20 years, 36 regular issues, one Special Edition, and one book, we can go out with our heads held high. I also believe we made a major contribution to the genre and published one of the best genre publications of all time! Not bad, considering Monsters from the Vault was originally planned as a one-shot when issue #1 was published in the summer of 1995.
Jim - understandable but very sad news! MFTV is truly one of the best and we are lucky for all the great issues you put together. Any chance for the long-discussed MFTV convention in 2015 to celebrate the final issue?
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ReplyDeleteThat's a shame but well done on producing such a fine magazine for so long. I'll treasure my copies even more now.
ReplyDeleteCheers and all the best, Matt
a.k.a. Hamicus
https://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/306311546062155/638793486147291/?notif_t=group_comment
I'll miss it too, but as I get older and life seems to get more brutal with the loss of family members and friends, it can change a person. You start to look at things so much differently than how you used to. That's not so much a bad thing though, but it seems as though we've reached the age where life stops giving us things and starts taking them away. I'll always be grateful for this magazine, it's been a lifesaver to me at times.
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