Is it any big secret that writing has for a very long time been a passion of mine? I really hope not… especially since I started this very blog to get over the writer’s block wall I was experiencing, and to some degree still do. So I’ve done quite a bit of writing and had quite a few published articles in a couple different magazines. Of course, everyone has to start somewhere and I started at five cents a word for a gaming magazine called Scrye. I started out writing simple army builds for the MechWarrior: Dark Age CMG game, gradually got some features, expanded into the DuelMasters CCG, and even had a cover story for a MechWarrior release.
While the clippings from there lead to some bigger and better paying freelance gigs there was nothing that was as consistent as Scrye. Every month I’d get an e-mail for queries, I’d either pitch or I wouldn’t, but when I did I would get a green light or perhaps a twist on my original idea with a word count. While the payment was not the best, it was always on time and allowed me to afford certain luxuries at the time… like a trip to Chuck E Cheese.
Yesterday I received this e-mail:
January 29, 2009
Dear Scrye Contributor:
We at F+W Media continuously analyze our publishing strategy to determine if we are meeting our readers’ needs and company goals. We take into consideration the marketplace we serve and the opportunities available for each of our magazine titles.
After much analysis and deliberation, we have determined to cease publication of Scrye magazine; the final issue will be the April 2009 edition, issue #131.
You have helped provide our readers with a consistent supply of information, instruction, and entertainment. On behalf of everyone at Scrye Magazine, I would like to thank you for your contributions to the magazine.
Best Regards,
Joyce Greenholdt, Editor
It’s important to remember that Dragon and Dungeon magazines both ended their print editions in September of 2007. While they had been filled primarily with material supporting Wizards of the Coast role playing games while Scrye featured the broader collectible gaming market, they were mandatory reading for gamers across the country. With the additional loss of Scrye, nationally distributed gaming magazines have officially become extinct thanks to the internet. The fate of GamingReport.com, which is Scrye’s online gaming property remains unknown.
It is a very sad day in gaming.
Some of you may remember that a week ago I was kinda psyched because I had discovered a need for something. I promised everyone an announcement this week. So I’m summing the announcement up in three words:
