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| Q&A: Michael Brooke - Publisher, Concrete Wave Magazine (7141 Posts)
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Welcome to publishing...
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On 11/28/2003
michael brooke
wrote in from
(209.29.nnn.nnn)
Yes folks, I am the ONLY publisher in skateboarding who lays it all out for you to nit pick and dissect...you see this magazine evolve through this site and I am glad that many of you are digging it. We still have a lot further to go. But unlike many magazines out there, I am not backed by a huge trust fund or big bank loans...nor do I have the support of a Fortune 500 company...It's just me, my staff and the support of hundreds of skaters.
Let me address one issue right now before it gets out of control. I worked with Dave at Skaterbuilt and Ted Terrebonne - the guy who took Jays' great pix. I also worked with Mike Moore and designer Mark. When we received the sheet of slides, that particular shot along with a ditch shot were the two that caught our eyes.
There was another shot that was also up for putting on the cover. Once we scanned it and put it on the monitor, we realized it wasn't as strong as the other shots. It was also a little bit dark.
At absolutley NO TIME did we choose the cover shot based on what wheels were on Jay's board. We chose the shot based on its merit.
Of course, Mr. Nitpick, you are certainly welcome to your opinion. Perhaps YOU felt there were better shots. But at the end of the day, I rely on what works best as an overall look.
I think for many of you out there puzzled by this accusation, all I can say is magazines are sometimes like sausages --- they taste great, but you really don't want to see how they are made.
Jay Smith is on the cover...He's a great skater coming back in to skateboarding after 20 years. It's a great shot and I stand by the decision that the Concrete Wave team took.
END OF STORY>>>>
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nitpicking
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On 11/27/2003 Nit Picker
wrote in from
(66.215.nnn.nnn)
CW has gotten a little better
I remember not long ago a story on some pipes with guys doing kickturns around the scum line, now that was pretty lame
I got to see some of the photos from the Jay Smith sessions for the current issue, the best photos of Jay he was riding Bulldog Wheels, it seems that CW found it more important to run subpar photos of Jay with Abec 11 wheels on, WHY?
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more nitpicking
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On 11/27/2003 matt
wrote in from
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in the new issue.jesse D in the letter section has a comment on everyones letters from past issues.including mine.jesse get a life and GO SKATE.its a magazine,not a bible. over and out
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NitPicking?
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On 11/27/2003 Bear
wrote in from
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Quote "Nitpicking has it's own forum though"
Really? Since when does constructive criticism count as Nitpicking?
Wahls comments may not be your highest priority, but those kind of details certianly ad to the quality of a magazine.
So where is the Nitpicking forum?
Somewhere that you don't have to see it?
I thought MB welcomed constructive advise and criticism, Maybe the Assoc. Editor doesn't.
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Dear Mr.(?) Wahl
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On 11/27/2003
Mike Moore
wrote in from
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kerning and leading?
Thanks for your critique...Nitpicking has it's own forum though
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E-mail
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On 11/27/2003
Michael (Octane)
wrote in from
(195.92.nnn.nnn)
Michael, for some reason the interlog e-mail addy is getting rejected from my e-mail..can you shoot me a mail on another address?
Cheers!
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US thanksgiving....
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On 11/26/2003
michael brooke
wrote in from
(209.29.nnn.nnn)
happy thanksgiving to all who reside in the US...
any thoughts about this long weekend?
hopefully there's no snow and lot's of leftovers.....
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quality etc.
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On 11/26/2003
michael brooke
wrote in from
(209.29.nnn.nnn)
trying our best, Wahl...trying our best
we are on issue #8....
the fact that I made it through one year is remarkable.
most mags don't last 2 issues.
we strive for continuous improvement...
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I recieved my copy, but want a couple more
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On 11/26/2003
Kenny Mollica
wrote in from
(68.249.nnn.nnn)
Michael-
I did get mine in the mail, but would like to purchase a couple more for old times sake. Can you help me out?
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It's All About the Ride
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On 11/26/2003 That 70's Skater
wrote in from
(210.55.nnn.nnn)
Pauliwog wrote: "...it's all about THE RIDE; that good raw feeling of rolling on a board."
Amen to that! Fell in love with that when I was 11 and rediscovered it 30 years on...can I get a halleluah!
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Tired of the excuses..
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On 11/26/2003
WAHL
wrote in from
(192.45.nnn.nnn)
Michael...Props, your mag is growing. But you should really pay more attention to your inconsistent (leading and kerning) throughout the magazine. Don't try so hard to fill the negative space. Sometimes it's a good thing. Quality not quantity of pages. Also you should consider finding a new photo editor. I've seen some of the slides before they were mailed to you. It's a shame you do not have higher standards and represent the photographers work like they deserve to be.
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distribution of the magazine
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On 11/26/2003
michael brooke
wrote in from
(209.29.nnn.nnn)
Couple of points:
when I started the mag, we had a distribution of 5000 copies
then we moved to 10,000
then 12,000
then 15,000
then 17,000
and now, for the next one, we will be at 20,000
plans are to move to 30,000 by 2004.
there are 3 things at play here
1) newsstand is a tough business - Concrete Wave competes with 7000 other titles! My magazine distributor, Coast to Coast has done an amazing job thus far. Mags are going into shops around the world...but things take time.
2) In the case of Barnes and noble, CW is distributed to 425 stores (out of approx 651)- the average is 3 per store...this makes it very tough to find...but not to worry, if you guys spot it and they sell out, then they will order more. I need to know WHAT Barnes and Noble don't have it...then I can work with the distributor to fix the problem.
3) We want the core skate shops to start carrying concrete wave...consistently. the only way to do this is for them order up mags. For $75 per year, they get shipped 25 copies (5 copies of each issue) AND they get their shop name, city, state and phone number listed in each issue.
So, like the problem we had with crummy photo scans and the problem of mailing, we will resolve the distribution issue.
The interesting thing for me is that it's better to have a magazine that people are screaming FOR than screaming AGAINST! : )
Thank you to Stubbs and Mollica for helping
this magazine is organically growing right before your eyes... through the magic of the internet!!!
any other ideas on distribution???
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Great Job!
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On 11/26/2003
Steve Marinak
wrote in from
(68.153.nnn.nnn)
Michael, the mag just gets better every issue. Congratulations! Warren Bolster?!? Wow! Looking forward to that. Thanks for doing what you are doing and what you have done. Keeping the stoke alive.
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Barnes and Noble
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On 11/26/2003 Stubbs
wrote in from
(207.86.nnn.nnn)
MB - I am having the same experience here in Dallas that Mr. Mollica described.
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barnes and noble
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On 11/26/2003
michael brooke
wrote in from
(209.29.nnn.nnn)
I am checking into this...we definitely shipped.
As soon as I find out,I will let you know.
did your issue arrive, Kenny?
it should have!
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Where can we buy the mag?
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On 11/26/2003
Mollica
wrote in from
(68.249.nnn.nnn)
I went to my Barnes & Noble and they had the last issue on the stand. I asked if they were going to carry it anymore and the dude just said "its not in our system anymore". I did not know what that meant.
Are the mags sold at Barnes & Noble? If not, where can we purchase it?
Kenny Mollica
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BIG ANNOUNCEMENT....
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On 11/26/2003
michael brooke
wrote in from
(209.29.nnn.nnn)
Gang, I am pleased to let you know that WARREN BOLSTER, yes, THE WARREN BOLSTER (of SkateBoarder Mag fame)has joined the Concrete Wave team.
Warren will be contributing in two ways:
1) he will be showcasing some of his classic shots from the 70's along with a 600 to 700 word detailed caption about the shot - this will appear every issue
2) he is shooting new stuff for us!
As you can imagine, I am absolutely thrilled that he is on board with us!
Watch for another new announcement in about two seconds...
BILL DANFORTH is also on board!!!
Yes, America's Skate Nomad will running a regular column called "Ask the Nomad"
Forward your questions to me...and I'll get them to Bill
Spread the word on Concrete Wave...
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Quality Mag
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On 11/26/2003
Doug K
wrote in from
(66.31.nnn.nnn)
Michael,
Just got the holiday 03 issue. Great job! Concrete wave reminds me a lot of American Windsurfer Magazine with regard to quality & content. I haven't suscribed to AW for a while now, but like CW it captures the lifestyle and pays the bills (ads) without all the typical magazine noise and fluff. Thanks
Doug K
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vol. 1 #4
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On 11/25/2003 single fin
wrote in from
(63.181.nnn.nnn)
Michael-
Im sorry I made a mistake. I have V2 #1
Im loking for V1 #4 please let me if you know where i might obtain a copy.
I will subscribe soon. im sick of waiting for the new issue to arrive a Barnes & Noble here in Milwaukee...
Thanks Ric
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The Difference
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On 11/25/2003 Pauliwog
wrote in from
(128.193.nnn.nnn)
After looking at the recent issue and past issues, the one thing about Concrete Wave that stands out is the same thing I saw in International Longboarder, it's all about THE RIDE; that good raw feeling of rolling on a board. This still shows in the air shots, pools, ditches, freestyle, whatever. That photo on the inside cover of the previous issue of the female skater carving a longboard and digging it says something so different from all the other mags and their "skater-IMAGE" centered approach and what they limit themselves to. Just a passing thought. Later-Paul Howard.
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Rene, vol 2 no 1, buyers guide and just life in general...
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On 11/25/2003
michael brooke
wrote in from
(209.29.nnn.nnn)
Rene Carrasco is just one amazing guy.
There is no way else to put it...
At 51,he represents what happens when you let skateboarding guide you...Rene looks 30! Plus he can run a mile in under 6 minutes (actually, he can skate a mile in under 3, I'm sure!)
Thank you Rene, for spreading the word
As for Vol 2 no 1 - contact me, I found about 5 copies of that one...I can sell it to you directly.
buyers guide suggestion about trucks is perfect.we'll add that too
as for life in general...well, it snowed here in toronto.
so, that's it for skating outside - at least until april. sob.
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- - - DA MAG !
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On 11/25/2003
Rene' "Cannonball" Carrasco
wrote in from
(66.81.nnn.nnn)
Haim R. -
....thanks for the comment...
Mike's Mag is Da Kine !
"La Chaim" bro. -
....................-Rene' CANNONBALL Carrasco !
.....................www.renecarrasco.com
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Elves
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On 11/25/2003 Haim R.
wrote in from
(80.230.nnn.nnn)
Hey Michael, Is Rene' another one of the elves on your payroll, or is he one of those special elves who knows about the gift of giving? Good job spreading the word Rene'!
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MAGS @ WLAC...
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On 11/25/2003
Rene' WLAC Carrasco
wrote in from
(66.81.nnn.nnn)
Hello Mike ,
.....handed out Concrete Wave Mags & Calendars at WLAC over the weekend !
Cliff Coleman dug the Retro Calendar...
Lynn Kramer dug it too....
I made sure Rick Ick and wife got a mag....
Richy and Maria dig it too !
etc. etc. ......
I also went by Chris Chaput's ABEC 11 - to drop off some CW Mags and Calendars to Chris, and the 2003 IGSA STREET LUGE WORLD CHAMPION Brent De Keyser.
....even stopped by Rene' Bruces' Longskate.com - and dropped off CW Mags and Calendars, for him and Anthony & the rest of his staff to take a look....
I also mailed a Mag to my bro. - 2003 WORLD SLALOMCROSS CHAMPION Tay Hunt in Oregon,
and of course, I left some in the surf shops nearest me...
GREAT MAG Mike !
I have not seen this much STOKE for a skateboard mag since Skateboarder Magazine in the 1970'S !
When I kept calling Buddy to see if the NEW CONCRETE WAVE MAGS and Calendars came in yet -
I seemed like a little kid calling the local Hobby Shop to see if they had the NEW MICKEY MANTLE TRADING CARD !
[ ...I guess that shows you how far back I go ... ]
-I figure by doin this- it's my own little way to help spread the great sport of Skateboarding to EVERYONE I can -
PRAISE GOD ! -I can still remember "THE STOKE" that little kid had - making his very own crude skateboard in 1960......................me.
KEEP UP THE GREAT JOB YER DOIN' MIKE !
Wishing you & your family the BEST this Holiday Season !
p.s. - say hi to Pepe !
-from sunny Southern California -
this is Rene' "Cannonball" Carrasco - over and out !
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Concrete Wave Vol.2 #1
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On 11/24/2003
single fin
wrote in from
(63.184.nnn.nnn)
Michael, do you know who might have a copy of vol. 2 #1 for sale?
I thought Milehigh had back issues but now their site dosent show them.
thanks
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