Writer magazine
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Writer Magazine is a monthly magazine for writers published by the Kalmbach Publishing Company of Waukesha, WI. It was first established by William H. Hills and Robert Luce, two Boston Globe reporters, as "a monthly magazine to interest and help all literaly workers", in April 1887. Until the Nov., 2000 issue, it was published in Boston. It is the oldest magazine for writers currently being published.
The Writer offers articles of interest to both novice and experienced writers, including market news, interviews, and tips on how to hone one's skills in particular aspects of the craft.
Over its 120-year history, The Writer has been overseen by a number of editors. Hills would remain associated with the magazine until Feb., 1926. On page 54 of that issue, he wrote a farewell essay in which he states he feels he's putting the magazine in safe hands as he resigns his place as editor to WIlliam D. Kennedy.
Luce, who later became a Massachusetts congressman, remained with the magazine through September 1888.
Hills is listed on the masthead as editor from April 1887- Sept. 1920, followed by Margaret Gordon as editor from October 1920- Sept. 1925. Hills is again listed from October 1925 until his retirement in February 1926. No explanation for Hills' absence from the masthead during Gordon's tenure is mentioned in those issues; but an editorial by Gordon in the Sept. 1925 issue (page 132), which refers to Hills as the magazine's conductor for nearly 40 years, suggests he was still involved in its operation, even if his name wasn't on the masthead. Hills' obituary in the Dec. 1930 edition (page 315) also seems to indicate he was involved with the magazine continuously from 1887-1926.
William Dorsey Kennedy served as editor from March 1926- December 1928.
From 1929- 1933, an editioral board is listed, which prominately features Virginia C. Lincoln and Bertha W. Smith. Other board members will change, but Lincoln and Smith, who are listed as publisher and managing editor, respectively, by the October 1929 issue, will remain in those positions until Feb. 1934.
From March 1934- Jan. 1936, Sargent Collier and Samuel G. Houghton served as publishers and editors.
The longest editorial era began in Feb. 1936, when A.S. Burack took over the editor's chair. He would remain editor until his death in August, 1978. Burack's wife, Sylvia, would take over until 2000, when she sold the magazine to Kalmbach Publishing.
Since November 2000, The Writer has been edited by Elfrieda Abbe, who also became publisher with the September 2006 issue. She was preceded as publisher by Russell G. Larson and Judith Hill.
The Writer's current editorial board consists of James Applewhite, T. Alan Broughton, Eve Bunting, Mary Higgins Clark, Barnaby Conrad, Lewis Burke Frumkes, James Cross Giblin, Gail Godwin, Eileen Goudge, Rachel Hadas, Shelby Hearon, John Jakes, John Koethe, Madeleine L'Engle, Lois Lowry, Peter Meinke, Robert B. Parker, Katherine Patterson, Elizabeth Peters, Sidney Sheldon, William G. Tapply, and Phyllis A. Whitney.
Over the years, the magazine has gone through a number of physical changes, as well. The first issue had only 18 pages; and for years The Writer had no illustrations. Currently, The Writer has more than 60 pages per issue, and includes color photographs on both the cover and interior.
Over the years, the magazine's slogan has changed as well. From at least 1896 to Sept. 1925, the cover read, "A monthly magazine for literary workers." This will change to An author's monthly forum" in October, 1925. The new slogan will run until at least Oct. 1929. From at least Oct. 1930- April 1932, the slogan will change subtly to the author's forum. In March 1934, the slogan changed to "The pioneer magazine for literary workers, and would remain until October of that year. In Nov., 1934, the slogan would change to "The oldest magazine for literary workers. Founded in Boston, 1887", and remain until 2000. At this point, the slogan changes to "the essential resource for writers since 1887."
In May 1962, during its 75th anniversary, The Writer was honored with a congratulatory letter from President Kennedy.
As part of its 120th year celebration, The Writer is reprinting a past article in each issue of the monthly magazine, and archiving other past articles in PDF format on its website, www.writermag.com.
