Hi everyone,
Sorry, I've been too busy/ill to post over the last week, but I have been following the continuing discussion and noting all the suggestions. Briefly, I'll respond to the latest batch:
1) "more about fortean philosophy": You'll be pleased to see Colin Bennett's back in issue 168, sharing his views on NASA. Will upset and annoy quite a few people I think, but that's partly what we're here for. A piece on Synchronicity will be coming soon - might appeal. Yes, it's an element we shouldn't ignore, even if it's not everyone's cupppa.
2) "more historical type articles": Griffins, Vespasian, the Necropolis railway - I hardly know where to begin! Fear not, historical pieces galore are waiting in the wings.
3) "more IHTM material": We've started using IHTM in the mag, but on reflection you're absolutely right. The material generated on the site is too good to not make more use of and share with more people - especially as the letters pages are many folks' favourite part of FT. I'll report back on this.
4) "appreciate articles on paranormal investigations" - agreed, and kind of discussed already. FT should perhaps be forging closer links with research bodies and individuals out in the field and getting them to report in FT. What do you think? Suggestions?
5) "state of the submissions slush pile at FT?" Big, ever-growing and messy; but don't let that put anyone off submitting stuff. What would be particularly welcome at present are Forum-length pieces - so get writing and send themn in.
6) "two longer features instead of three shorter ones?": Page increase should solve this - three longer features! Or two long and two short! But, more stuff, anyway.
7) "more single topic issues": I agree, the Death issue was on eof our favourites too. We have got some more ideas for themed issues, but if anyone has some good ones of their own, please share them. The only worry with single-topic issues is that if someone isn't interested in the topic there's no reason for them to pick up the issue. What do you think? Death was a pretty universal theme, so perhaps that's why we got away with it.
8) "Hunt Emerson is great" etc: Well, support for Hunt seems strong on the board. There are those who find him old-fashioned, not funny or a bit tired and those that love him it seems. More feedback on this would be useful - would anyone rather see a new cartoonist? Or a mixture? Do you think someone's work would be good in FT? For me, Hunt gives us a feeling of continuity going right back to the 1970s, and I like having Phenenomix for that reason, but I can understand that's not everybody's opinion.
Take care everyone,
David