Domino Magazine Demise Bad for Freelance Writers

It was with great sadness and frustration that I read the news that Domino Magazine will be shutting down after its March 2009 issue. Not only is this bad news for those involved in freelance writing, it is also disappointing for the loyal subscribers of Domino Magazine.

Domino Magazine is one of many of the so called shelter magazines that are being hard hit by the troubled economy (shelter magazines focus on things like decorating, gardening and entertaining). I always enjoyed Domino for its inventiveness and its focus on green living, and I often thought about expanding my online freelance writing into articles for shelter publications like Domino Magazine.

What is the cause of Domino Magazine's untimely demise? Even if Domino has readers, it is still hard hit by declining ad revenues. Today there is news that Martha Stewart Living Magazine is restructuring due to falling advertiser revenues and replacing the magazine's editor. If Martha Stewart Living is restructuring, what does that mean for newer publications like Domino Magazine?

It is definitely more eco friendly to read articles online, than it is to go out and buy paper copies of magazines. But I confess, I've always loved reading magazines and I still have many favorite print publications I enjoy. Will this embattled economy end up destroying print magazines, making us rely exclusively on the internet for articles and content that magazines used to provide for readers?

My local newspaper in the Hudson Valley recently went to a five day schedule, eliminating the Sunday and Monday editions of the paper. In addition, about nine more local papers have folded due to bankruptcy or financial troubles. The surviving local paper with the five day schedule encourages readers to go to their web site, where the news is available every day, twenty-four seven. But there is something about sitting down with your local paper or favorite magazine, and holding a copy in your hands, that isn't the same as reading a newspaper or magazine online.

The death of print publications like Domino Magazine is bad for the freelance writing world and the public in general. When publications like Domino Magazine close up shop, subscribers lose confidence in the magazine industry, and are less inclined to pay out money for new subscriptions. As magazine writing markets shrink, it makes it harder and harder for those involved in freelance writing to find print freelance writing gigs.

As I go out to buy my final copy of Domino Magazine, and witness the death of so many local newspapers, I hope that the magazine and newspaper industry and the freelance writing world can somehow rebound from these hard times, and that the recession won't mean the end of all my favorite print publications.