Go go go to Chapters/Indigo

Don’t know where to find your favourite Alberta magazines? In October only, in celebration of Read Alberta Magazines Month, a selection of Alberta magazines will be available at all Chapters/Indigo bookstores in Alberta.

Buy a magazine, then go online and enter your receipt # in our Read & Win contest to win one of two Canmore getaways. The ease. The convenience. All the more reason to enter now!

(If you happened to buy your mag at an independent retailer, that counts too!)

Try saying this in one breath: October is Read Alberta Magazines Month.

We can, and will, all month long! October is Read Alberta Magazines Month (RAMM).

Let’s use the RAMM acronym instead. For those who don’t know what it is, and for those who need a brush-up, here are some frequently asked questions about the month that stars your favourite Alberta magazines.

FAQs
What is RAMM?
An October-long promotional blitz put on by AMPA to promote awareness of Alberta’s locally produced content, encouraging readers to read local, and discover the wealth of information and talent presented in regional magazines. Areas of interest include: business, country living, food, lifestyle, dogs, music, oil, the list goes on.

What’s in it for me?
As the idea of eating local grows more popular, so should the idea of reading local. Not only is there geographical relevance, but by buying, subscribing to, and reading Alberta magazines, you’re supporting a community of creative professionals like designers, photographers, writers, and yes, even interns.

If you already subscribe to an Alberta magazine, we pat you on the back, and urge you to further your support during RAMM. It’s not all altruistic—enter our Read & Win contest where two winners will each receive a Canmore getaway—a luxury two-night stay at the Blackstone Mountain Lodge or the Mystic Springs Chalets, courtesy of Travel Alberta and Bellstar Resorts.

Why should I attend your parties (in Calgary and Edmonton)?
a) All events are free and open to the public.
b) We throw a good great party. Performers, magazines, wine, gourmet foods, glamorous magazine editors are but some of the offerings.
c) Magazine samples to satisfy your reading needs.
d) All of the above.

Correct answer: D

Why should I attend your education panels?
a) You want to be in the biz so want to learn from the experts.
b) You are in the biz and want to learn from the experts.
c) You need money so need to pitch that article you’ve had in your head for 23 days.

Correct answer: A, B or C

Why haven’t I heard of RAMM before?
We have no idea. So come out this year, and find out all about it. The AMPA staff are stoked about having a whole month to schmooze with you people. Yes, you.

News

AirdrieLIFE’s 5th Year Celebration
AirdrieLIFE celebrates its fifth year of publishing this October with a bash for clients, staff and people who have been featured in the magazine since 2004. Since its inception, AirdrieLIFE has grown from a biannual magazine with 48 pages to a quarterly with an average 128 page count.

“We want to celebrate with all of the people who have made this possible. A special emphasis will be on the people who shared their stories with us along the way,” says publisher Sherry Shaw-Froggatt. The magazine has undergone a redesign over the summer along with a new website; both will be unveiled at the party October 7th in Airdrie.

Frog Inc, the publishing company, has had an exhaustive summer – they are also launching their first issue of CochraneConnects to an enthusiastic crowd Sept 24 at the Vinestone in Cochrane. “Both publications share a similar editorial objective but each recognizes their own markets distinct flavor,” says Shaw-Froggatt.

Come see a few of AirdrieLIFE’s featured artists in action at the RAMM launch on October 2 at Art Central.
www.airdrielife.com

Prairies North Magazine Turns 10
On Friday, October 17, 2008, Prairies North, Saskatchewan’s Magazine for Good Prairie Living will mark its tenth anniversary by inviting subscribers and friends to join them for a special celebration at the Yvette Moore Gallery in Moose Jaw. The event will feature a prairie auction where a one-of-a-kind painting by Yvette Moore, one of Saskatchewan’s best loved artists, will be available for bidding.

The magazine’s originators, co-publishers Lionel and Michelle Hughes, don’t take the credit for the magazine’s success. “Our subscribers are the reason for this celebration,” Michelle says. “We’ve come this far only with the support of our readers and we really wanted to give something back.” Prairies North is a quarterly magazine that profiles the unique Saskatchewan people and places that make prairie life good, with a circulation of 22,000 seen and read by people in every province and twenty-four countries around the globe.
www.prairiesnorth.com

RedPoint Media Group appoints new Sales Manager Karen Hounjet
RedPoint Media Group Inc. is pleased to announce the appointment of Karen Hounjet to the position of Sales Manager in August 2008. Karen will head up RedPoint’s sales teams in Calgary and Edmonton. Prior to joining RedPoint, Karen was an Account Executive with CTV Calgary from 1999 to 2008. Karen began her career in Saskatchewan and later Ontario in print media sales, representing a variety of regional magazines and upscale publications including Western Living, Ontario Living, London Magazine and Visitor Magazine. RedPoint publishes award-winning magazines such as Avenue, CalgaryInc, up!, Wine Access and West, as well as publications for businesses, arts organizations and other clients.
www.redpointmedia.ca

Events

October is buzzing, teeming, overflowing with events. Come check them out!.

October 2, 2008
The Flywheel Reading Series
The Flywheel reading series is hosted on the first Thursday of every month by Calgary’s filling Station magazine at Pages Books on Kensington. Since 2003, Flywheel has presented the freshest literary and artistic voices that Calgary has to offer. Please come and celebrate Calgary’s hottest and most talented performers.

Thursday, October 2, 2008
Pages Books on Kensington, 1135 Kensington Road NW, Calgary
7:30 pm sharp


October 16 - 19, 2008
Edmonton International Literary Festival (LitFest 2008)
As our world spins faster, and people shout louder, the importance of thoughtful debate, and careful examination of issues, has never been greater. This year, LitFest tackles some of the biggest issues facing our generation – taking personal responsibility for a sustainable world, appropriation of voice, international law.

Litfest also celebrates non-fiction literature as art form and fabulous entertainment, with moving stories powerfully told. It is thrilled to welcome more than 30 authors, including a few favourites from past festivals.

Litfest is pleased to offer a pre-festival “tease,” as it hosts celebrated author and Canadian visionary John Ralston Saul on October 7th. Buy your festival passes early (at Tix on the Square) for complimentary admission to the Ralston event.

Schedule of events and more details at: www.litfestalberta.org

READ ALBERTA MAGAZINE MONTH EVENTS

Thursday, October 2, 2008
Read Alberta Magazines Month Launch Party, Calgary
Magazines come to life at Art Central for our annual kick-off. Why? Because October is Read Alberta Magazines Month (RAMM) and we want to celebrate! Gourmet foods, wine, music, magazines--it's all for you and all free!
Last year's event saw hundreds of attendees so make sure you get in on the festivities this year at Art Central.

Exhibitors include:
- Canadian Rocky Mountain Resorts
- Excess Wines
- Bob Harriman, cartoonist, featured in AirdrieLIFE
- Gourmet Gateau, featured in AirdrieLIFE
- Veronica Funk, painter featured in AirdrieLIFE
- Sort-it-Out, professional organizer featured in Calgary’s Child
and more!

Art Central, 100 7th Ave. SW, Calgary, AB
5:00 - 9:00 pm
Free event, open to the public


Thursday, October 2, 2008
Getting Published - Literary Magazines and Your Career Panel Discussion, Calgary
Presented in partnership with the Writers Guild of Alberta and in celebration of Read Alberta Magazines Month, join filling Station, FreeFall and dANDelion editors for a panel discussion about the role of literary magazines in a writer's career. Ever wonder why it's important to keep submitting your poems and stories to lit mags? Or why it can take a while to hear back? Or why simultaneous submissions are frowned upon? Get the real deal on how to make your work stand out and get all your questions answered at this moderated discussion!

Featured editors:
- Laurie Fuhr, filling Station
- Lynn Fraser, FreeFall
- Mike Roberson, dANDelion

deVille Coffee shop, Art Central (2nd floor), 100 7th Ave. SW, Calgary, AB
7:00 pm
Admission: coffee/tea/snack purchase at deVille Coffee Shop


Monday, October, 6, 2008
How to Pitch Panel, Calgary
Want to write for magazines and see your byline flashing back at you? Don't know where to start? Learn how to focus your pitches and sell your stories to noted Alberta magazine editors. These tips are straight from the pros and this panel is highly recommended for any writer looking to improve their batting average.

Featured editors:
- Jenn Hamilton, Avenue Calgary
- Eric Rumble, up! Magazine
- Laura Pellerine, WHERE Calgary
- Evan Osenton, Alberta Views

SAIT Polytechnic, 1301 16 Avenue NW, Calgary, AB
3:00 - 5:00 pm
ROOM: R112
Free event, open to the public


Thursday, October 16, 2008
Read Alberta Magazines Month Party in Edmonton
Come after work for some gourmet foods, wine, and performances by acclaimed Alberta magazine contributors Pierette Requier (published in Other Voices), Dr. Ruth DyckFehderau (featured in Unlimited), and City Councillor Don Iveson! DJ Ben Hajash will be spinning some tunes. The event is free and open to the public.

Exhibitors include:
- Lola Canola Honey, featured in Edible Prairie Journal
- Wine Access magazine

Latitude 53, 10248 - 106 Street, Edmonton, AB
5:00 - 7:00 pm
Free event, open to the public


Friday, October 17, 2008
How to Pitch and the Business of Publishing Panel, Edmonton
Learn the ins and outs of the publishing industry from a group of Alberta experts. With a focus on the business side of magazine publishing, and tips and tricks for how to sell your stories to magazine editors, this panel is ideal for up-and-coming freelancers or anyone who is interested in starting a magazine.

Featured panelists:
- Barb Dacks, publisher/editor, Legacy
- Mike McCullough, editor, Alberta Venture
- Joyce Byrne, publisher, Unlimited
- Colin McGarrigle, editor, Avenue Edmonton

Grant MacEwan College, 10045 - 156 Street, Edmonton, AB
10:00 am - 12:00 pm
ROOM: TBA
Free event, open to the public


Monday, October 20, 2008
Editorial & Design Collaboration Panel, Calgary
What is the relationship between editors and designers? This panel will address the interaction between artistic design and editorial content, with a focus on the collaborative process that editors and designers go through when creating a magazine.
Featured panelists:
- Kathe Lemon, editor, Avenue Calgary
- Gillian Bishop, freelance graphic designer
- Trina Lo, production specialist, FreshInk Communications
- Carolyn Fleming, publisher, BLOOM/Retreat/Bride&Groom

Mount Royal College, 4825 Mount Royal Gate S.W., Calgary, AB
2:00 - 4:00 pm
ROOM: T143
Free event, open to the public

Job Opportunities

Check out these current job opportunities and more on AMPA's Job Board.

• Proofer/Copy Editor - JuneWarren Publishing

• Assistant Editor - Source Media Group

• Advertising Sales - Source Media Group

• Associate Art Director - Alberta Venture Magazine

• Editor - Unlimited Magazine

• Marketing/Trade Show Coordinator - JuneWarren/Nickle's Energy Group

To UNSUBSCRIBE from MagaScene, please send an email with the subject "UNSUBSCRIBE" to ampa@albertamagazines.com.