Then multiply it by twelve.

At least we can see the magazine works really well in an online version. Something for us all to think about for the future.

but what online version?

Because of the impending postal strike DH have put up a version of the next issue in case the real one goes missing in the postal backlog. Yet another example of these guys commitment to service and quality !

Not seen this.

I assume we're not supposed to publish the link? Looks good, had to resist the temptation to start reading it while actually supposed to be working

I'll talk you through the highlights

On the cover: Goth Almighty! Alien Sex Fiend talk us through their five favourite deities.

Inside: Cool Yule! The forgotten man of Velvet Underground breaks his silence.

Reviews: Moore's the Merrier: Northampton's reclusive genius on his essential Christmas comedy DVDs.

Very thoughtful. Goes to show why The Word is a cut above.

Mac users: the link crashed Safari twice, but works fine in Firefox. (Might just have been me.)

Impressed that you guys have done this. Looks ok as well but I have decided to ignore it because a magazine is printed on paper. I'll wait for the issue to arrive. And my family would question why I'm taking my laptop to the loo....

Scary cover though! (shivers)

Much appreciated.

Is it just me or can anyone increase the text size? Not getting any response when increasing the zoom. I am Mr Magoo

I've got the "Something for the Weekend" mailout but not the new -issue one.

Er, it's not going to take three months like the Island box, is it? (Yes, it arrived eventually. Thanks for your oar manoeuvres, Fraser.)

I'm not a subscriber simply because The Word would never arrive where I live (even if your subscription company could print the address in Chinese). I've had a quick look at the online version and, well, what can I say? It's exactly what I need and have always wanted.

I'd pay double the annual print subscription price if I could get one of these every month and access to back issues. No kidding, plastic at the ready..

..and thank you. Even if this is a one-off, you've made my day.

I haven't got a "something for the weekend" newsletter either, this is worse than being at school are you going to throw my shoes onto the M1 out of the bus windows later on! :(
I checked my subscription and it's up to date and everything... you can have my club biscuit if you like....
*goes off to hide in the computer room (again)and play asteroid on the schools electron*

received this end either yet.

Thank you for letting me know in advance of the possible delay in me receiving my December copy of The Word.

I appreciate that these matters are outside your control, and thank you for the time and effort you and your team put into each issue – and you deserve extra praise for supplying me with an online copy of the magazine (and I am more than happy to pass the link to a dear friend when the postman does return to work).

The quality of your magazine, and the sense of community generated by the website (and the actions you’ve taken this month in particular) all go together to make me a happy subscriber.

I look forward to supporting your magazine for many years to come.

Kind Regards

Reno

totally agree with the above

various emails have popped into my in tray many thanks.
I like the search option it would seem no mention of "egg friday" this month ;-)

I too would happily subscribe to a digital edition like this. I only spend a few months a year in the UK and a regular subscription therefore doesn't make much sense.

I guess you might have concerns about piracy, but I'm sure that the threat of being throttled by Lily Allen would do the trick (though can I nominate Kate Mossman to be my chastiser, should I offend).

Thank you very much. Proper thoughtful.

...Something For The Weekend #87? Not had that yet, but just so I know what I'm perusing my in box for. Cheers!

from the Dennis stable, which uses the same "turning page" technology I think. This is interesting in that it is free and iirc carries no or few ads, but is of course effectively one big ad in that it mainly announces products.

The interesting new angle there is that they now produce printed occasional mags, like an HD guide, having established the iGIZMO brand.

Not saying I'd like Word to go such a way, just interested to see it.

... is it just me or are the last 25 pages blank and red ?

I too have the link to the online magazine in my newsletter but I do not have a subscription. I now have a free copy of this issue that I do not have to buy at the news-stand. Is this an error or just generosity?

(Incidentally I will in all likelehood purchase said mag next week because I like the free CD and, as has been mentioned previously it is easier to read a paper copy in the loo...)

it is easier to read a paper copy in the loo...

Doesn't it get soggy...? ;-)

to pass the link on to the heathen mass of old goths who may not have picked up a 'meatworld' copy of this highly esteemed mag in the past?
It could bring in a few newbs but it could also stop a few purchases, difficult one...

Thank you guys so much for this. I've been on tour since January, and this is just the kind of thing that makes a real difference when you're travelling.

Thanks for the email and online copy of The Word. I was a little dissapointed though. As I haven't subscribed to any magazine or paper since I was a kid. I was looking forward to my copy dropping through the letterbox. Tried as I did I couldn't resist having a peep at the new edition. It looks great but I'm going to wait for Santa to deliver my hard copy before reading on this occasion at least.

As I only got my subscription copy of the last issue about a week ago I think this is marvellous, so again, thanks from me.
And a James Ellroy interview too!

A flick through the online edition certainly cheered me up today. I'd pay for this. Premium subscription service?

you're giving this one away to non-subscribers, so they'll subscribe in future? Or is this a gamble to prove that Mr Hepworth's view on e-readers is correct?

Either way, thank you. Will you be giving the subscribers 1/12 of their money back?

and beautifully executed, many thanks indeed! I let my subscription lapse because my interest in music has waned latterly, and the cover CDs just piled up, unlistened-to. However I like reading about the stories and characters in the wacky world of Rock and associated offshoots, so an online version would appeal to the likes of me very much.

... from The WORD office.

Much appreciated Mr. H.

What would you like for Christmas?

What's Ron Mael doing on the cover of the McAlmont & Nyman album?

As to the digimag itself, a lovely gesture, very thoughtful, though like others above I feel a strange urge to resist actually reading it until I have the printed copy in my hands. Whether this is because I feel I read too much stuff online stuff as it is and want to savour having the physical magazine in my proverbial sweaties, or just a strange nostalgic attachment to printed media that makes me think it superior to online content, I'm going to have to discipline myself very firmly until my special glossy treat comes plopping through my slot.

Many thanks for this. There aren't too many publishers who would do this and it is hugely appreciated.
In return I'll definitely be purchasing a few subscriptions as Christmas presents.

To anyone thinking of just making do with the E edition .. don't! Support your local Development Hell. If we don't buy the mag it'll go the way of beta and Eldorada.

...for a six week old issue, I would be *thrilled* to be able to download the magazine for a reasonable fee. Consider my whistle whetted...

"I would be rather partial to also having the virtual one as a back-up for such times when I am travelling and could access it from a hotel."

I can think of a few other magazines which might be helpful at times like that..

of the future? Perhaps. A little test? Maybe

of David Hepworth's column: ("Whatever comes next in the shape of a machine delivering traditional print products such as books and magazines in digital form to be read off a screen...[won't] work") ?

I know it's not exactly the same, but, still.... :)

Great work on the digital edition, though!

Haven't they just cancelled the Postal Strike?

The Week http://www.theweek.co.uk/, interestingly my only other current UK sub, does something of this ilk for its subscribers during postal disruptions.

They do it by emailing those of the subscribers whose email addresses they have on file for access to an e-version; and this week the printed version tells subscribers how to login and update their details for anticipated future problems.

This kind of customer service works, as an old hand like David clearly knows, and I am glad he is extending the vision to the wider non-subscriber group via SFTW.

Reading the e-version I was struck by how much easier paper is, but that seeing the content together in the e-version made the breadth of the mag more apparent, in some way I can't really explain. I don't like reading on laptops, even the lightweight Toshiba R600 I use, and don't yet have a fancy phone/iPhone/tablet etc etc. I think we aren't quite there yet on the technology that will finally take over from magazines but I think I will live to see it.

ok it means you might not sell as many newsstand copies now, but loyalty has been increased all round I'm sure.