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AN INTERVIEW WITH THE PUBLISHER OF THE QUILL MAGAZINE QUARTERLY
The following is an interview with Charlotte Austin, Editor and Publisher of THE QUILL MAGAZINE
QUARTERLY, an e-zine with an international readership, especially designed for beginning writers.
Contact e-mail: austin@thequill.com. This interview has not been copyrighted, so feel free to
publish or copy it. My only request is that you include the ENTIRE interview. If you have any
questions, please contact me at broupome@kona.net.
JB What is the history of THE QUILL MAGAZINE QUARTERLY?
CA THE QUILL MAGAZINE QUARTERLY is a division of Austin Aerospace Ltd. physically located in Toronto, Canada.
THE QUILL was established in August 1998, initially as a resource center for beginning writers. It quickly became immensely popular because it offered specific information tailored to the needs of new writers, soon had a free mailing list of 2,300 and monthly "hits" or impressions of around 50,000.
In February 1999, The QUILL became a paying market and made its debut as a free electronic magazine, with monthly how-to articles by professional writers. We produced four spectacular issues in February, March, April and May '99. From the start, I emphasized superior quality content, from articles to fiction. The QUILL reached a peak early in May 1999 as its readers grew accustomed to the content. Because of several circumstances, I then had a difficult decision to make. Either close down The QUILL permanently or redesign a different publication. At that point, The QUILL's audience spoke out, with hundreds of letters, fax and e-mail messages. Save The QUILL at whatever cost.
I listened, went back to the drawing board and created THE QUILL MAGAZINE QUARTERLY, an e-zine available by paid subscription in .pdf (portable document file) self-printable format. It was a move that broke most of the rules of electronic publishing. But it has been a rewarding move for the best. I haven't looked back since.
The QUILL's staff is made up of Sue Elliot, my assistant editor and a gem; Rob Java, our professional Webmaster; Beatrice Campbell and Melissa Jenkins, who are recently back from a tour of Europe. We don't all work in the same location at the same time, but we work as a team, highly dependent on each other.
JB What is the reason for the magazine's existence?
CA THE QUILL MAGAZINE QUARTERLY exists for one sole purpose. To help beginning writers get started along the arduous path of writing and publishing. Why? I have my own reasons but I also enjoy helping writers surpass their expected abilities and reach new heights of success in their careers. There's simply too much harshness in this business so I tend towards a gentle, nurturing approach with all writers and editors.
We're open to middle, professional and established writers. Beginning writers need to learn from successful writers. THE QUILL's publication style is not flowery or chatty. It can be classified as concise, to-the-point literary.
THE QUILL Writing Academy has recently been launched to offer beginning writers affordable writing courses. All classes are conducted by e-mail and are taught by experienced teachers and professional writers.
JB What do you see as the future of writing, editing and publishing?
CA As we enter the 21st century, I believe we will see changes in the world of editing and publishing, with more quality electronic publishing available. Yet traditional publishing will remain, even with the advent of palm pilots and e-books. Why? There will never be a substitute for a book printed on paper and the sheer pleasure of re-reading the same book, curled up in front of a fireplace, turning those pages. We have not come far enough yet to witness the death of traditional publishing.
JB How does one subscribe to the QUILL?
CA THE QUILL is available only in .pdf (portable document file) self-printable format by paid subscription. THE QUILL is produced quarterly, with four issues per year, in March, June, September and December. A free sample issue is available for download on the web site. The next issue of the magazine will be published on September 15, 1999. For full subscription information, see: http://www.theQUILL.com/Pages/QUILL/subsinfo.htm.
JB Would you elaborate a bit on THE QUILL Writing Academy?
CA For a full year, I've received great numbers of queries and submissions of every kind, from all levels of writers. Most common mistakes can easily be corrected, with knowledge and perseverance. THE QUILL Writing Academy was born out of the desire to show others how to avoid making those costly mistakes.
A variety of courses are offered, including a personal tutoring workshop with RICHARD MORAN, best-selling author of four novels. All instructors have been carefully selected to bring excellence in writing. Details are available at: http://www.theQUILL.com/Pages/academy/acadintro.htm
JB Tell us more about the new contests and cash prizes.
CA THE QUILL will now offer two yearly fiction contests with cash prizes. A small reading fee is required. The contests are international and open to all, with the exception of the immediate staff appearing on the Contact page. Previously published material is expressly excluded. Full contest guidelines are published at: http://www.theQUILL.com/Pages/resource/competition.htm.
JB Who decides what articles, stories, reviews are to be published in THE QUILL?
CA I read all queries, submissions, articles and reviews with Sue Elliot, my assistant editor who has been away for the summer and who will be back soon. We usually divide up this task. I then contact the writer for information or revisions. Although I do listen to other voices, ultimately I decide what gets published, what's suitable for our publication and what is not. Sometimes those choices are extremely difficult.
JB What are the most common reasons for rejecting a query or manuscript submitted to THE QUILL for publication?
CA On average, we accept 40% of article queries. A writer who follows our guidelines will query first before submitting. We don't accept blind submissions. This is what I look for in a professional, concise query letter, spelled out clearly in three paragraphs or less:
General intent of the article;
Content and particular slant;
Research and resources put forward;
How this article will interest and/or answer the needs of beginning writers;
How this article will fit our publication;
The writer's background and publishing credits if any;
The time frame involved to write the article.
JB What's your response time to queries and/or submissions?
CA Although our volume has increased, our response time is still one week for queries, two weeks for submissions.
JB How should someone submit to THE QUILL?
CA All queries and submissions should be forwarded by e-mail only. Full guidelines, with payment terms and rights purchased are published on the web site at:
http://www.theQUILL.com/Pages/QUILL/writersguide.htm
JB What is your vision of THE QUILL for the future?
CA I believe THE QUILL MAGAZINE QUARTERLY is a vibrant and exciting e-zine for all writers. It has, in many ways, set the tone for other e-zines in its own quiet way. There's no doubt that I'm a demanding editor. Because of what THE QUILL offers, I believe it will experience tremendous growth, and ultimately become the starting point for beginning writers and an attainable goal for established writers. Forthcoming changes will reflect this vision. The already popular Book Review Section will serve to introduce writers to publishers. The Writing Academy will continue to offer key courses. Our aim is to propel THE QUILL from a low paying market to a desirable, high paying market sought after by all levels of writers.
Above all, my purpose remains the same, unchanged although the path may look different. To help beginning writers get started, and to help all writers achieve their goals. This mission may become arduous with time, as more quality e-zines enter this arena. Success lies in offering superior quality information at an affordable cost, and in providing an important voice for professional writers. I believe we have already made a difference.
JB How does one go about subscribing to THE QUILL?
CA To subscribe to THE QUILL, simply print the subscription page available on the web site at http://www.theQUILL.com/Pages/QUILL/subsinfo.htm. Mail it along with your name, address, e-mail address and a check or money order for US $19.99 payable to AUSTIN AEROSPACE LTD. Send to: 2900 Warden Avenue, P.O. Box 92207, Toronto, Ontario M1W 3Y9 - Canada. You must have Internet access and a valid e-mail address to receive THE QUILL MAGAZINE QUARTERLY.
The QUILL is listed in major search engines and electronic directories, databases and paying market listings, including Writer's Guidelines Database (http://www.mav.net), AOL, Yahoo, Excite and others. THE QUILL MAGAZINE QUARTERLY will also be listed in forthcoming editions of major print directories including Writer's Digest, Writer's Market, The International Directory of Little Magazines & Small Presses, Online Markets For Writers: Where And How To Sell Your Writing On The Internet (Owl Books/Henry Holt & Co., spring 2000) and other specialized directories.
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