I'm gonna be a publisher--Update

[Ira]

(Same thread as before, I just added an important new post at the very end.)



Watch out Coral Springs and adjoining neighborhoods—my free magazine will finally be hitting the streets, around January.

Yes, The Florida Funnies/Coral Springs Edition will actually be going to press.

This has been a dream of mine for about 15 years, but I could never come up with the scratch for the inaugural issue, between 5 and 10 grand. With a full-time job, I simply wouldn't have the time to solicit advertisers, so I planned on basically absorbing the printing cost of the first issue myself--and using that as a model to sell future issues. (I was going to offer free ad space at first to at least have ads in there, with upgrades to a larger space at a cost.)

However, I recently had my main printer estimate the cost for me, and he called yesterday and said, "Ira, we're going to print it for nothing for you. You are our best customer, giving us a lot of business, and you're the easiest and most professional guy to work with that we've EVER known."

I SWEAR HE SAID THAT! AND HE WASN'T DRUNK!

I won't go into the intracies of web versus offset printing, but this will be 4-color offset, which is like a real magazine, not a newspaper.

Basically, The Florida Funnies is going to be like The Onion, but in print. Of course, as its writer and designer, it will epitomize my sick sense of humor. It will poke fun of the city and its personalities, and be a little naughty--because I know that will offend some people, and that's what I'm after. In short, I want to make some trouble.

And make people laugh (hopefully) while doing it.

The mag's already about 25% done, but I have to reformat it to a new size. Cover is done, including this lead story:

"Giant Leap in Evolution:
Pregnant Coral Springs Woman Lactates BEER!"

(And can you guess the visuals I'm using for THAT!?)

I'm excited.

[doug hodder]

I love it Ira!!!! Congrats for you...can you post something so those of us out here in forum land can see what you've got...I loved the Onion, but don't get a hold of it anymore, now that I live up in the woods... Doug

[apratt]

Congratulation Ira!!! It sounds like it'll be a blast. I hope you have great success.

[sdtripper2]

Ira::)

Sounds like fun, for you. Your wit and sense of humor will have another outlet.

Build it and the advertisers will come, Ira.

Congratulations on your dream coming true.

[Ma3tt]

If you are ever short of material I am sure a bunch of people here will contribute! Best of luck!

[surveytech]

You better bring some of those to Anastasia in November

[stjohn]

Oh no we are doomed doomed I sayIra goes main stream
congratulations Ira good luck w/ your new venture I hope to be able to say I new you when you were just a teardrop builder on the internet

[Ira]

Thanks, guys.

Won't have issues ready for Anastasia, and I'm giving myself a lot of time getting the files ready for a late december printing:

I STILL have a TD to finish.

[sjptak]

Does this mean I've got to take a trip to FL to get my copy. or can I purchase it and send you a self stamped envelope? I think that rag is going to be a HOOT! Congratulations and Good Luck.

[Ira]

I'll put together a VIP list when they're printed to mail out to my treasured TD compatriots who can stand to read it.

And calling it a rag is the greatest compliment I can think of! Thanks!

[madjack]

good going Ira, we need more Onions out there sticking a stick in the eyes of "da man"....
madjack

[Ira]

I'm gonna try to stay away from politics in a rough way--because what the heck do I know anyway? I'm just another asshole with an opinion.

Plus, politics can REALLY alienate readers.

I'll have one page which is "Left versus Right," pick a subject, and either invite two folks to do a HUMOROUS point-counterpoint, or I'll just write it myself.

Main thing is, I don't want anyone from any party walking away thinking they "lost" an argument.

[coreyjhen]

Ira,
I went to college in Madison and The Onion was in print then (mid-70's)... and when I went back to visit a friend this past summer I could still pick it up in print. It would be great if more areas had a newspaper dedicated to lampooning "The Man!"

[RKH]

Congratulations!
Great to hear of a dream coming true.

[Ma3tt]

Most High Publisher Ira,
A suggestion for the first two topics for your "L v R" column "4X8 v 5X8" or "12" tires, unsafe at any speed?" It would be a top seller on this forum!