A PUBLIC APOLOGY to Steve Davidson of Amazing Stories

[seawasp]

There was considerable discussion about my question on what is and is not appropriate to do in preparing to publish a new magazine; the scenario I presented was universally viewed as improper at best.

However, Mr. Davidson has -- with patience and politeness -- contacted me directly, and addressed my real concern: specifically, he has stated unambiguously and firmly that *all* participants -- bloggers and editors and all -- *WILL* be compensated for their *prior* efforts when the project goes live and begins to bring in money.

This is a very different scenario, and one I find perfectly acceptable; in this one, the people aren't posting "for free" but are instead making a bet; that the project will succeed, and then their efforts will be compensated, rather than their efforts simply leading to the success of the project but not their own.

I therefore apologize most sincerely to Mr. Davidson and any and all connected with the revival of Amazing Stories, and I wish him great success in his attempt to bring ASM back to life. What he has told me of his business plan makes sense, and shows some considerable recognition of the realities of the current market which has been sadly lacking in prior attempts to make new SF magazines.

Thank you for your clarifications, Mr. Davidson, and once again, my apologies.

     Ryk E. Spoor

Comments

[alexey-rom.livejournal.com]

It might be useful to edit the previous post to point this out.

[seawasp]

Will do.

[shanejayell.livejournal.com]

I don't know if you need to edit your earlier post. Add a link to this, yes, but otherwise...

I do wonder if this was his plan all along, or no. According to two sources, he had said he wasn't paying. Now he is? Huh.

[seawasp]

I edited the old one to give a link here.

Insofar as the other... well, if it was his plan all along, then I terribly mischaracterized him and he, at worst, was failing to make things clear. If it WASN'T his plan all along, and he's changed his mind, then I've succeeded in changing something bad to something good, so that's good too. Either way, I'm cool with the result.

[terry austin (from livejournal.com)]

You might want to close comments on the other post, too.

And whether this was his original plan or not, it's still amateur hour. He's badly under capitalized, to the degree that if he has any understanding of the business, he should know better.

While he may well have the best of intentions, well, we know where that road leads. I doubt he'll last long.

[muirecan.livejournal.com]

Sounds like a better plan than the initial description.