New-Age Bookshelf - Online Edition

The New-Age Bookshelf launched into publication at the end of April, 1999, with the premier issue for May/June, 1999. The reason we started this publishing venture was due to the dwindling number of new-age books being published. That, coupled with the ever-growing reader desire to indulge themselves in new-age romance novels and the availablity slipping by the month, led us to believe that perhaps the publishers/editors were not paying close enough attention to the readers' desire for "otherworldly" elements in the books we purchase, take home and covet away on our prized keeper shelves. Enter....the New-Age Bookshelf, Where our goal is to not only give readers just "another" place to read someone elses opinion of a book, but advance notice of titles, changes in the market, author up-dates, interviews/profiles with our favorite writers, a tear-out buyers guide (to carry with you to the bookstore), but also a place where writers of this type of romance can market and promote their titles; a place where the readers buying both their books and the magazine are a select group of people who are as dedicated to the success of new-age romance, their authors and those bringing them to the forefront as the author's themselves.

We (our staff is currently 7 people strong and growing) weren't sure where our adventure would lead when we started this project. Our first goal, was of course to market with other readers and writers and possibly make a little money doing something we love. However, if the magazine amounts to little more than a fun (somewhat expensive hobby), it will still be worth the effort, time and money we've put in thus far. We have received a number of letters from people since the magazine was first released. One of which came just recently from a lady who used to publish a periodical...in fact, she did it for 8 years. But said she ceased publication, basically blaming the internet for its demise...stating that it had altered the publishing world irrevocably. I mention no names here, as printing this was not done to be slanderous or start trouble. But she does raise an issue that made us think. For me, I view the internet and world wide web as a vantage point for readers and writers. While, yes...if you put TOO much information out there and make it that readily available and free, your subscriber numbers will slack off. However, I also feel that the internet, used properly can be a good marketing tool for anyone working within the industry. Do I think it will completely alter the publishing industry? No....after all, what is it writers and editors are promoting here....books! Not just the down-loadable e-books, but hundreds of thousands of hardback and paperback books, sold daily. And if skeptics don't agree with that, just take a look-see at places like Barnes and Noble, Amazon.com, etc. Although it's nice to be able to flip on your computer, key in a few choice words, hit search and the end result be a virtual online newsletter with pretty colored pictures, etc., i still think many people, like myself, look forward to checking our mail while anxiously awaiting the latest copy of Romantic Times Magazine, or our monthly subscription of Harlequin or Leisure books to be delivered. It's fun, it always has been....and "we" think it always will be. And who knows....with enough sample issues, media kits, advertisements and promotional mail-outs, perhaps The New-Age Bookshelf will show the editors and publishers that the demand and need for new-age romance never died, but is growing daily with a solid, strong and devoted readership.