Publish, or not to publish?...that is the question...

Modeling Subjects Armor
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Fellow Armor Modelers,

I wanted to post this here because I seem to “know” this group best…so here goes…

As my work opportunities dwindle here in Northern California, I am a self-employed Architect, I find myself having to move (to New York) and watch the $$$ more closely than ever; and although I find this hobby to be very rewarding and a nice diversion from the stresses of life, it isn’t cheap. Maybe by comparison to other hobbies it is less expensive, but as we become more skilled our desires to produce a “better” model increases and so do the costs (PE, goodies, etc.). Bottom line: In order to continue building, I need to justify the cost.

To address this cost, which by no means will be a substitute for real work , I thought that publishing my work might be an idea …so I called an editor…I directed him to several of my works and my tutorial here on the forum and he felt it was “worthy” of publication. He gave me a lot of advice, and looked forward to seeing what I might send him. I have to admit, I felt pretty darn good to hear that he even considered my projects “good” enough. It got me thinking though…the pro’s: I like to share my techniques (“teach” if you will), make a few bucks, get to try new kits for free, etc…con’s: completion deadlines, stress,…having to deal with the things we distract ourselves from by modeling…which leads me to my question to you guys. Has anybody published their work…for whatever reason? What was your experience like?..any tips or suggestions?

I’d like to hear anyone’s thoughts, published or not…thanks.

SMJmodeler

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[8-] I got a feeling doog is gonna give you an answer. [tup] He just did a piece for “Finescale Magazine”

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Sir D,

I’ve read that article. Doog has been a real help to me…and judging by all the of threads I’ve seen him participate in, a lot of other modellers too. Honestly, I don’t know how he finds the time to keep up and respond to all of them. He truly seems to want to help others and encourages them along the way. Back in April of '07, I couldn’t even do a wash right, he shared his techniques, and even included photos. Washes are pretty basic stuff, but I was struggling, and he took the time to write a pretty lengthy description (which I printed and still have in my files) how to do it…I have a lot of respect for him. I’m hoping he’ll read this thread and give me his [2c].

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Matt Swan seems to be an approachable gentleman, too.

Aaron, are you listening?

SMJ send me your resume via PM.

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SMJ - first off, I hope that you don’t decide/need to quit modeling - your finished products are of very high quality, and add a lot to the forum! [tup][tup] Perhaps you can shoot for more “OOB” builds - with your weathering skills, I think you’d be able to make the majority of kits look just fine without any added extras. Biffa comes to mind - not a lot of extras added, but spectacular winners come out of his basement ALL the time. [:D]

As far as publishing goes, if you have something that people want to pay you to publish, GO FOR IT! Just because you accept publication in a magazine doesn’t mean you’ll be subject to deadlines, unless you choose to continue to produce works, or become contracted - but that’s another story. [;)] I know that I personally would love to see your Winter Scheme Tutorial in the mag…and I’m sure lots of others would too.

Either way, don’t quit! [swg]

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I just recently got published with some articles in a UK modelling magazine, and I think the experience has been great. You get money that can sink back into your hobby, and if they like your work, they will contact you with future builds - kits supplied by them - which again helps with the modelling budget. FSM just bought an article from me also, and as a submitter, you are under no deadline - so really no pressure if you just want to build, have fun, earn some money to ‘self-sustain’ your hobby, and have the satisfaction that your models are good enough to publish. The only time you will feel pressure to finish is if you are committing to a review of a new kit.

So I guess I’m saying I can’t see a down side to it as long as you are careful not to turn your hobby into a chore. Share your knowledge - I also loved your winter schemes!

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dupes,

I definately do NOT plan to quit modeling, not that bad financially…just trying to cut expenses across the board…I’d give up TV, EASILY (satellite service is $75-$100 these days) before modelling.

About OOB: Except for my Krupp Protze, which I bought from a vendor at a contest for $20, including the PE parts, all of my builds have been OOB, expept for some very inexpensive extras. Actually, a lot of kits I build, including the T34 I just finished, and the SU122 are also from vendors. The exceptions are my duece-and-a-half (b-day present, which by the way, today is my b-day[party]) for the “War in the Desert” GB, and a FAMO w/trailer. What will keep me building is the back log on the shelf…I have “the Jimmy”, a Panther G, and the FAMO w/trailer (by the way I have a thread going on this one looking for dio’ ideas, please chime in!).

Publishing: You are right, the editor I talked to said that there are builders who get a kit and he doesn’t hear back from them for a year.

Concerning the Winter Camo’ tutorial: I REALLY want it to make it to a magazine…I may need to do it AGAIN though on another kit, the Panther G Late Version with zig-zag camo’ would be cool!!! Idea: How about I do two projects for “Winter Warriors”. I may need to include a workbench review (has it been done for the Tamiya kit?..hmmmm…as I build the kit. If a publication would accept a format like I did here on the forum, that would be great too. I still would need to add some photos that give the reader a sense of scale (ya’ know, paintbrush, hand, “dabs” on brush, etc…) I could cut and paste most of the text, that would save a lot of time. The editor I talked to was interested in my “Jimmy” so I do plan to document the WHOLE build, including my build commentary.(I could not find a workbench review in FSM for any 1/35 “Jimmys”…hmmmmm). I may post a thread in “War in Desert” GB and feel-out the interest for another “follow-along” tutorial. If I do get a mag’ that’s interested, I could get forum feedback to really fine tune it prior to publication!

Anyway…this is all VERY exciting to me…what was once a little hobby that I picked-up again a couple of years ago after a 30 year hiatus, has “snowballed[(-D][(-D][(-D]” into much more!

No quitting, I like it WAY TOO MUCH!!![#toast]

SMJ

PS: I just sent you a PM.

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bondoman,

Sorry, I don’t know who Matt Swan is…could you give me more info on a PM. I sent you a PM…please read.

Thanks,

SMJmodeler

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waikong,

Man, you nailed it!!!, why I want to publish…“SUSTAIN the hobby”…at least to start. I wouldn’t even mind if it would evolve into something more…model building satisfies that “creative” urge I’ve always had…hence the reason I chose architecture as my occupation. If I could turn the tables and turn model building/ magazine work into a lucrative enough endeavor and turn architecture into the “hobby” I’d give it a try!!!

Give me a link to see your articles.

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SMJ,

The best recommendation I can give you is to build for enjoyment first and that will come through in your work, both in the finished product and the photos/article that you might produce as a side-benefit. I’ve had articles picked up by FSM for future publication and also work as a volunteer editor for Armorama and while I’ll take on projects specifically for publication, I don’t view it as being any different than if I’d selected the kit myself for a build project. Most print magazines have very long lead-times from acceptance to publication (several months depending) and very rarely will impose deadlines unless you’re on their paid staff. The paid compensation when an article is picked up is nice for sure but trying to be a full-time pro off of model building would require substantial effort. Keep the enjoyment factor and build what you enjoy, take the photos like you would anyway and do the write-ups for the projects you want and everyone wins. [tup]

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Matt runs a website, www.swannysmodels.com. He’s on the forum and has his own on his site. He also produced some DVD’s about modelling, always ready with advise, a great guy in general.

I don’t have links to my articles since are in print only. I have some sample pages on my home PC, I’ll email them to you later tonight if you are still interested. The FSM one isn’t published yet. I do have some stuff on my website - mostly aircraft as I only recently got into armor and I haven’t updated in a few months, too busy between work, family, and building the actual models. Funny enough that the the only armor I have (first one I’ve built) on there is a Stug III in winter camo - that’s why I was very interested in your great winter techniques.

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Man… I just gotta be honest here. I’ve seen lot’sa great builds here and on other sites. I really hope that you get published and if you do…all the better. But I gotta say (and I’m not try’in to rain on anyone’s parade here) I really don’t see that much “special” about your skills here. If you are marketing a winter scheme as that basis… the bottom will probably drop out on that pretty quickly. You are a very decent modeler but most of the builds that I’ve seen that you’ve built have rubber band tracks. Not that there is anything wrong with that,…but maybe you should check out the competition a little more before diving in and relying upon it for your hobby expendatures.

But don’t let anything I say stand in your way…go for your goals.

JMO

No hard fellings and best regards.

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JMO…aka: 9 Toe Tanker,

Absolutely no hard feelings at all. Your input is one of the reasons I posted this thread, and thanks for the words of encouragement too! With all due respect to your input about my skills…others’ input has been quite to the contrary…which is actually how this publishing ball got rolling. Please don’t mis-understand, I’m not defending my skills…or arguing…I’ve read some threads that having gotten a little ugly and that’s NOT the direction I want this to go.

In retrospection of my own work, I think I have a talent better than some, far less than others, Nationals in Anaheim last year made this VERY clear to me. Part of all this too, is that some of the “Best” modelers, and I’ll quote one,(hope he won’t mind)are “Lone Wolves”-Sir D. (disastermaster) His work, in my opinion, is some of the very best…he shares his knowledge, gives advice, and contributes regularly to the forum; but I don’t think he has a desire to write a tutorial. (Sir D, please correct me if I am wrong)…I, do like to instruct…writing the tutorial was very rewarding…put this all together…and…wah-lah, win-win for everyone.

As far as those “rubber band” tracks…strictly financial…I choose to buy other kits versus $$$ for Fruil’s, PE, aluminum barrels, etc… Maybe someday soon, I’ll blow the wad, buy ALL the goodies and challenge myself…heck, that’s what this hobby is all about anyway…

Thanks again JMO…Respectfully,

SMJmodeler

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I’m always happy to talk to any modeler who’s interested in publishing a story. You can reach me directly at musher@finescale.com, or at 262-796-8776 (9-5 Central Time M-F).

Talk to you soon!

Matthew Usher
Editor, FineScale Modeler

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SMJ, go with what your heart desires. If you have the opportunity to publish your works, then by all means that is an avenue you should investigate. It is not often a person gets that opportunity.

As stated in your Winter Camouflage tutorial, your method was written in a clear and concise manner. Providing instructions not only means ‘knowing your subject’ but the ability to provide those instructions in a manner that the reader can understand, comprehend, and implement those instructions. As a novice, I have found the tutorial helpful, not only because you provided instruction, but presented the information in a concise manner. If you are publishing articles are for novice modelers, then I think you will be pleasantly rewarded, as will the modeler.

Instead of the question "To publish or not to publish?"possibly “I have a talent and skill-set that will allow me to subsidize my modeling hobby, am I prepared to dedicate the time to present publish worthy material?” may need to be answered. Again, based on the Winter Camo tutorial, I believe you have the skill-set and knowledge to publish articles.

I wish you well in this endeavor and look forward to more of your work, be it published or through the forums.

Regards,

Steve

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Hey! Happy Birthday!!! [bday]

I have NO issues with you doing another build for Winter Warriors. [;)]

And I sent one back! [:D]

Good luck, hope the publishing thing works out. Just keep in mind that you don’t need to stress yourself out about it, and that “funding” your hobby is probably not going to be a result of an article…but it sure would be cool! [8D]

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Hey SMJ, sorrry, I’ve been busy with my Brummbar and Jenn the last two days and haven’t had time to post a proper reply. Thanks for the kind words on your second post there…[:I]

I would say to absolutely try to get published; I mean, why not? Seeing “SPOOKED!” in January’s FSM was a real and sincere thrill for me, and I’ll be just as proud when my Hetzer gets published in the future in FSM. Since proving to myself that I actually could get published, ie, that I “had what it takes”, I’m always thinking of an aspect of every potential build that might be converted into an article. Heck, with a digital camera and some writing skills you can make some decent money!

As others have said, you don’t really have a “deadline”; you can take your time and write at your leisure. That’s different from a commissioned build, where you definitely do; when I did the Helo Miniatures’ Tamiya Hetzer, I was actually a little surprised that I was a bit annoyed at the thought of having to rush through certain aspects of the build in order to finish it on time. So you might want to put some thought into that aspect, if you ever get the offer. But as far as getting an article written and published, I find it a very rewarding experience in many ways.

The thing is, it’s not maybe as easy as you might expect. When I talked to the great people at FSM, they explained that the attractiveness of purchasing an article of any build is not so much necessarily based alone on the build itself , but on other factors as well.

For instance, there’s the recent history of what has previously been published–like, if they just had a Panther in the mag, they’re not necessarily be so interested in another Panther how-to. Or if they just bought a great Panther article, they might be less inclined to purchase or use yours.

Your winter toot might be a great “niche” article. I understand that they look for short, specific articles which deal with different techniques, to keep the content fresh and the hobby evolving.

I would advise you to give it a shot; like I said, hey, why not? Be very specific in what you did, and add as much detail as you can in your writing. One thing I was surprised to see was that the editors will most likely rewrite your article to condense it into a proper “fit” for the magazine. (no “BRAAAP!” in the Hetzer article I’m assuming! [sigh][(-D]) But the more info you give them, the more they have to work with.

I would say to go in with your expectations low. I didn’t think I had a snowball’s chance in hell, to be honest with you! But once you get one purchased and hit your stride, the next one becomes easier. It’s weird though; the building of every kit slows down a bit with the requirement to photograph and document everything. You also are less-inclined to let “little things” go that you might have before. But in the end, the paycheck tells you that it was worth it! Just don’t forget the [censored] taxman! [(-D]

Good luck, SMJ! [8D]

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For real? I’m voicing my official protest for the inclusion of the “BRAAAAP!” [(-D]

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[#offtopic] Are you really an architect, because I’m thinking of majoring in that in college.

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Have a Happy, Happy Birthday![party][tup][tup]

And Yes PUBLISH, Get paid to do what you love. It’s the Best.