F.A.Q.
Who owns, publishes Go-fubar.Mag?
Who creates it?
Publisher/Editor,
Nick May (about).
Designer/Assistant Editor,
Ritsuko Masue (about) Advertising and Marketing,
Yumi Shigemtsu(about).
Staff Translator,
Rie Nemoto(about).
Research assistant,
Mie Tou.
In addition we have several Japanese and foreign freelance writers, columnists and contributors.
What is the Magazine?
The magazine is bilingual, (English and Japanese), 16 pages (occasionally 20 pages) A5 format. It is "free". There are only about 2000 or so (first language) speakers of English resident in Fukuoka city. Most articles, particularly longer pieces, must therefore appeal to a Japanese and non-Japanese readership. We aim to carry a wide variety of articles - to be "general" in the sense that we cover a lot of "non-general" areas. We print comment in addition to information. In that sense GFBM is a "magazine that is free" rather than a Japanese style "Free Magazine", which contains mainly adverts and information with little comment or extended text.
When is the magazine published?
Go-Fubar.Mag is published on or about the 27th of the month, 10 months of the year. A larger "summer issue" covers July and August and a "winter issue" covers December and January. In the first year it published every month.
How many copies do you print and how are they distributed?
Currently (June 2004) we print and distribute 4000 copies to approximately 200 locations around the Fukuoka area, with some copies going to Kitakyushu and other parts of Kyushu. Most copies are distributed by mail using "Nittsu Pelican". In central Fukuoka we also distribute by hand.
We expect to significantly increase the number of copies printed and the number of locations distributed to in the coming months.
Where can I get a copy?
There is a short (15 or so places) selection from our 200 outlets listed
here.You should usually be able to pick up a copy from one of them.
If you are still having difficulties, see
here for info on how to have copies sent out to somewhere more convenient for you.
What determines the choice of topic?
The Go-fubar.mag is distributed in bars, cafe's, tourist offices, etc. It must be perceived to be "socially positive" in a broad sense to retain this distribution. Without distribution, the magazine ceases to exist. The more the magazine becomes established the less conservative the choice of topics need be.
Generally, topics must be of interest to both Japanese and non-Japanese and be presented in a manner accessible to both. Topics that may be of interest to one constituency may not be of interest to the other. Something of burning interest to local gaijin may leave Japanese readers cold. That does not mean the magazine does not print articles on such topics, simply that less space can be devoted to them in the magazine, 'though there is always room on the website.
As the magazine expands in size it becomes easier to find space to print articles aimed more directly at either resident foreigners, foreign visitors or Japanese readers.
If you have an idea for a column, feel free to contact us.
What format is the magazine and why?
Some years ago Nick May owned/published a magazine in Fukuoka called "The Gaijin Gleaner". This was 24 pages of A4, mainly text, aimed squarely at foreigners with a print run of about 2000 copies and a circulation around Kyushu. (You can still see the remnants of the Gaijin Gleaner on the web).
Free magazines rely on shops, restaurants and the like putting them on their counters and A4 takes up too much counter space. To maximise distribution it was decided GFBM had to be smaller. Speedy and inexpensive printing was important, so a "standard" size was chosen that would not require special setup and that could be proofed easily. A5 (half an A4 sheet) was the logical choice.
There are at least half a dozen, usually more, "free mags" in this format in Fukuoka at any one time.
Why is the magazine "two colour"?
Experience with the "Gaijin Gleaner" had suggested that the Japanese market required some colour. To start with full colour would have been commercial suicide, monochrome would have been less appealing to Japanese readers. Two colour printing was the logical choice.
Why don't you aggressively pursue advertising?
A concious decision was taken early in the magazines history NOT to aggressively pursue "one off" adverts, due to the high staff costs involved. Large Japanese companies are often quite conservative, and prefer to sign long term contracts with magazines that have demonstrated longevity. Go-fubar.mag was started in September 2002. We neither expect nor plan to have significant advertising until the magazine has been in publication for at least 3 years or more, and has a distribution of at least 10,000 copies to 400 locations. That said, we welcome advertisers, see our contact page for details.
What's with the name?
It's a long story, best left to your imagination. Essentially, the magazine started as a flyer to advertise a website devoted to Fukuoka bars and live houses. Go Fukuka Bar...
Some of the English in the mag seems a little 'simplified'. Is this deliberate?
Stories have to be easily, quickly and reliably translated. In addition Japanese readers like to use the magazine to practice their English. This governs the type of English used.
I want to write for the magazine, do you have guidelines for writers?
Sure - we will post them soon....
