With the #25 issue, Hacker Monthly celebrates its 2 Year Anniversary | Hacker News Reader

With the #25 issue, Hacker Monthly celebrates its 2 Year Anniversary

hackermonthly.com

83 pointsbearwithclaws18 comments

The only thing that bugs me about Hacker Monthly is that the authors of the article don't get anything more than a free subscription. Like, even a token $20 would be something. $100 would feel appropriate.

I'm not sure how the cost calculus of the mag would work out if you were to do that, but it's an interesting angle. The best magazines would take the best online articles, pay some pittance, add in graphic design, print 'em and mail 'em.

I think there's something to that idea.

It's sort of a chicken/egg problem, but I can't think there's not money to do it now after 2 years. subtle plug - jsmag.com and groovymag.com both do pay authors - usually $100-$150 depending on the length of the article, and authors retain the copyright to republish later.

I've had two or three authors over the years who've donated articles completely free, but the majority appreciate some payment, even if it is token. One author just told me he's buying a new macbook with the payments from his articles, so, over time, they do add up :) Not trying to hijack the thread, but I understand your point about payment, and it's been one of core things that motivated the publications - paying authors for the contributions.

Subtle plug 2 - we're always looking for authors. :)

I run an online and print magazine which features only original content.

I don't really have a secret to getting materials for free, I just don't bring up payment at all I guess :p And on the rare occasion that they do want to get paid I just complain of being broke (which is true).

I think that paradoxically being a cheapskate can actually work in your favor. People getting fired up with idealism, and all that :)

The free subscription is worth way more than a token sum of money. First, I'm convinced there is no way to provide adequate monetary compensation for articles to begin with, not at the hourly rates most of us are charging. Second, writing articles for consumption on HN shouldn't be about money, period. But most importantly: by giving me a free subscription HM is seriously expanding (and keeping) their audience and in the process they made sure I'll always be a fan.

Got my issue this morning as usual, it's always a great read and a good opportunity to revisit stuff that was going on recently. HM is an awesome project, thanks for keeping up the good work!

A look back to where it all started(?):

http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=1261499

And this one too (when we first launched): http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=1394526

Delighted to see my article Do Things, Tell People in there, among some amazing company! Kind of self-fulfilling, that one. ;)

Congrats on the 25th! You guys do a great job with such a well made magazine each month. A great resource for HNer's.

Really great content - this is the first one I've seen (got it free cuz my vim article is in there). Well done Lim!

Thanks (and thank you for contributing), Yan! Hope you'll enjoy the print and digital subscription.

Yesterday I've made a subscription to Hacker Monthly for the first time :)

The selected news (they're the most-voted articles found on hacker news) seem very interesting, but unluckily on my Cybook Odyssey there is a bad rendering of 80% of images.

Email me at cheng.soon@hackermonthly.com. I'm sure there will be a way to fix this.

Congratulations to the HM team. I would love to hear how the journey has been.

Thanks Ashish. Nieman Lab did a pretty good interview about the magazine awhile back: http://www.niemanlab.org/2012/02/hacker-monthly-its-the-best...

Congrats. You guys should ask the guy that does the peter Theil lectures so you can turn his blog posts into a book. With pictures, graphs..ect. I think it will be cool.

Congrats dude! You and richerd are two guys I really respect and admire for a lot of things. ;)

Hope everything is going great for you guys btw. Are you still at the Bay area?

Just got my HM in my in box, and as always it looks beautiful. Congrats on the two year milestone :)

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