News: The Word
Music monthly to fold after nine years in business
THE WORD magazine is to fold after the publication of its August issue, according to a statement by editor David Hepworth on the magazine’s website.
Hepworth cited “dramatic changes” in the media and music industry among reasons for the closure of the magazine, which he launched as an independent venture with Jerry Perkins in 2003. The final issue will hit the shelves in the second week of July.
Here’s the statement in full:
“We regret to announce that the August issue of The Word, which will be published in the second week of July, will be the last.
“In the nine years since the magazine launched there have been dramatic changes in the media and the music business. These changes have made it more difficult for a small independent magazine to survive and provide its staff with a living. This hasn’t been made any easier by the economic climate of the wider world.
“We would like to thank all the staff members past and present, plus the writers, photographers, illustrators, artists, PRs and advertisers who have helped make the magazine what it has been. We also want to thank the backers who have supported us throughout.
“Most of all we want to thank you, the readers. Your heartfelt involvement with the magazine — via its pages, its website, its events and its podcasts — have made the last nine years one of the most satisfying periods of our working lives. Mark has written about this in greater detail in the August issue
“The website will remain open for the immediate future as a point of contact. We will be writing to subscribers with their copy of the August issue.
“When we came up with that slogan — “The Word — a magazine, a website, a podcast, a way of life” — we were being a bit tongue in cheek. But it was, wasn’t it?”
