To: J. C. Dithers who wrote (651 ) 7/8/1998 12:26:00 AM From: jake burns Read Replies (1) | Respond to
Yeah, I know. I wasn't going to say anything, but I'm glad someone did. I'm just as demanding. I remember commenting to them on the spelling of "ambience" which almost was used on the cover of the magazine. The company had spelled it "ambiance," but I believed -ence was preferable. Should they want a proofreader, I will assume such a task for a nominal fee (honest). My favorite credo is, "If it's 99% right, it's 100% wrong." The company reads these posts, so our messages will have an effect. Thank god that is all that was wrong. Even worse would have been poorly-cropped adverts, or low-quality paper and printing. I loved the high quality of the finished product, but the content was substandard for what they envision. Better writers, story ideas, etc. are a must. The magazine must have something compelling in it for prospective purchasers, not just pretty ads. Wow! Edgar Renteria just made a great defensive play in the All-Star game. Geez, is he good. Anyway, sorry to be a harsh critic, but better for the company to hear shareholder concerns now, than later when they are (hopefully) more in the limelight. I can forgive mistakes the first time, but not the second time. But I do understand the magazine was a hit with advertisers, and the next issue will generate great advertising revenue for the company. Let's make it a great one, ok George. Let's get some current restaurant and theater reviews, perhaps some original fiction, could have a story on the Yankees (currently the best 1st half record in ML history), An extensive dining section would be great (it also could be a lead into generating restaurant advertising (Like 1-column inch ads, or larger) within the section. As an out-of-towner, the hardest thing for me to know is where to go to eat....There are so many restaurants from which to choose but, outside of the China Grill and a pasta place of which I can't remember the name, I've had nothing but lousy meals there. If you have a hard time coming up with ideas, steal some from other magazines. I just picked up the current issue of the Washingtonian. Some of the articles include: i) Hot local stocks; ii) minor league ball in the area; iii) ken starr/bill clinton crap; iv) best and worst of washington readers' poll; v) letters from readers; vi) a story on a preacher; vii) a story on a navy admiral who killed himself; viii) an anthropologist story; ix) a singles section...and lots more (museums; homes; other goings-on). So go buy the current issues of the Washingtonian, Pittsburgh, Dallas, etc. and other monthlies, and pattern NYC after them.
