First let me apologize for not posting nearly as often as I used to, I guess that comes with taking on three full-time jobs and four major projects! haha For those that don’t know I just wanted to alert everybody to the new issue coming out, Annual 16, and the changes that we made in our subscription policy and some general thoughts on the overall magazine industry these days. We had made the decision pre-Covid to go off a typical quarterly prepaid subscription and onto a new system where people literally pay as they go. Each time an issue comes out they get billed so no one is ever paid ahead and no one ever loses money if we stop producing or don’t produce often enough. It wasn’t a decision we made lightly, but the quarterly production schedule and the pressure from advertisers and subscribers that comes along with it was taking the fun out of it, since none of us do this for a living—we all have full-time jobs. The new system isn’t perfect and we’re still working bugs out every billing cycle but it is giving us the freedom to take more time and make each issue as good as we possibly can, whether it’s the oversize 224 page Annual, or the little page size Specials. Below are some cover mock ups of some of the featured cars in annual 16 and we’re also proud of the fact that this issue will feature a new lay-flat binding. Also pleased to have some new contributors joining including Tom Davison, Joey Ukrop and Scott Photo Co! For those interested in subscribing, the deadline is Monday night at midnight to receive the new Annual. You can subscribe on our website https://www.hopupmagazine.com/shop As for the state of the magazine industry, all I can say is that anybody that is in it today is in it for love. I have always loved magazines, old and new and have friends at every title still in existence, but it’s definitely an age where one business mis-step can sink you. I know everyone’s eyes are on the Rodders Journal right now and I certainly wish the best for Steve, I personally have every issue going back to number one. Newsstand distribution is a money pit, so not surprising that others have joined in on the direct from publisher and select retailers model. Wheel Hub, Speed & Kulture, Modern Rodding and regional ‘zines like Hill Country Car Culture and Local Car have adapted. CK DeLuxe & OSR continue the traditional newsstand approach and have definitely made content improvement under Murpho’s ownership. Time will tell. Even if we are all small niche magazines, I hope everyone can continue to publish for the good of the hobby and to cement our little part of history timeline.
We don’t bill monthly, only when the issue comes out like it says on the first page.(Most automatic subscription services, like if you buy from Amazon, Bill monthly so that’s what PayPal inserts) PayPal just automatically puts tthe largest amount we can bill at one time which is $19.95 but if you read the first page you’ll see that even if we produce more, $47.95 is the most you could be billed in one year
Marcy, will you be at BTTF's? If you are I'll buy the last Special there, and maybe this issue will be available too?
Great covers,,, I would hate to have to choose,,, Its a tough job, but in good hands... I am very happy with the new system! Keep them coming, when you can....
Great publication , have every book up to annual 15 & all specials to #4. When you went to the new subscription process we in Canada could not subscribe until you tested the process. I tried the process when it was opened to us thru pay pal for special #5 & for the $7.00 book shipping to my address in Ontario was $ 50.00 , convert that to Canadian funds ..... becomes vey expensive for just the special .... special #4 was mailed to me for $2.91 back when they were mailed to subscribers before the new process was used ..... would love to continue my subscription but at those rates can not afford it ..... sad part is , it is a great publication.
I just checked my email and paypal says I paid 19.95 for the special. A tad spendy but since the magazines I used to buy every month at the magazine rack that no longer exist used to cost me about 40 bucks a month I'll survive.
Marcy, Great effort on your part. Sent in my Paypal and I am in. HOP UP is the only Hamb friendly books out there. Quality pics and reading too. Still miss Hot Rod Deluxe. JOHN
Man I’m excited! I stalk the mail man all week as soon as I see they’ve hit the mail. Last years annual was a BOOK of awesome. Can’t wait to see what this one has in store! An absolute steal at under $20 I’d pay more than twice that with out flinching. thanks for keeping it alive!
I'm in Canada and just checked my payment history. The $7 specials work out to $13USD with shipping (about $17 CAD). My invoice for the Annual was $23.95USD including shipping. You may want to re-visit the subscription. I also know that sometimes when I make an order from the Hop Up store, it charges me a higher amount, and then they refund me the difference between what I was charged and actual shipping costs.
Got mine maybe 4 days ago? This just started shipping. It’s a fuckin rad one, worth the wait it is in the mail
Mine came in the mail this morning, worth the price and worth the wait. Plus I don't feel a bit guilty about staying in the house sitting in the chair going through it today with it being 106 outside today.
There's a trick I didn't think was possible, I started post 28 on my computer and finished it with my phone.
The Jalopy Journal
