The Flatplan online masterclass
The Flatplan is back! magCulture’s masterclass in the art of making magazines was postponed at the beginning of lockdown earlier this year, and will now take place online at the beginning of September.
This third edition of the Flatplan will bring together expert editors, designers, printers and distributors who’ll cover everything you need to know about creating a successful publication. You’ll develop the knowledge needed to develop your abstract idea into a physical magazine people will want to buy, read and enjoy.
What’s the format?
Moving online, we’ve split the day-long session into two half days, a Saturday and a Sunday. Our guest speakers will share their knowledge in a series of presentations and small group discussions throughout the two half-day sessions, using Zoom. There will also be time to talk informally with speakers and fellow attendees about your ideas.
Number of places available
Without the physical limits of our Shop space, we can increase attendee numbers slightly, with a maximum of 50 places available so that everyone has a chance to engage and ask questions.
Alongside our existing free places for students and under-23s (already allocated pre-lockdown), we have an additional 10 free spaces available, specifically for Black applicants. We recognise Black people are underrepresented in all areas of publishing, and understand the structures need dismantling to begin to change the industry. Although a small gesture, we hope these spaces will enable vital projects to flourish and magCulture commits to ongoing support of the 10 chosen applicants beyond the Flatplan event.
Please send a short proposal for your magazine idea (no more than an A4 page) to: events@magculture.com, with the subject line ‘Online Flatplan 2020 submission’. We are open to proposals at all stages of their development, be it a seed of an idea, or a fully formed magazine that you want to see launched in print. The deadline for applications is Friday 28 August.
Saturday 5 & Sunday 6 September 2020
10am-1pm each day, online using Zoom. Note, this is a single event, across two days.
The talks will fall under three categories:
Dream!
Developing your idea
Identifying your USP
Believing you can make it happen
Make!
Commissioning
Editing
Designing
Printing
Sell!
Getting your magazine into shops
Using digital platforms to promote your title
Understanding the financial side of making magazines
The Flatplan 2020 speakers:
Josef Reyes, art director Bloomberg Markets and Day + Night
Alison Branch, managing director, Park Communications, printers
Wase Aguele, editor, Roundtable
Dan Crowe, editor, Port and Inque
Holly Catford, art director, Pit and art editor, Eye magazine
Gem Fletcher, photo director, Riposte
Ariane Spanier, creative director, FUKT
James Laffer, managing director, Ra & Olly distribution
Nina Carter, creative director, It’s Freezing in LA!
Plus
Siufan Adey, AfterParti
Ro Jackson, founder, Slowe
Host: Jeremy Leslie, founder, magCulture
Who is the day for?
More and more people are intrigued by the world of independent publishing and starting their own magazine, but knowing exactly where to start can be daunting, particularly when you’re not already part of the creative industries. We created The Flatplan specifically to help people overcome this. You may have no experience at all, or some experience of parts of the publishing process; you may have a great idea for a magazine and wonder what the next steps are, or have already started the process but be looking for further guidance.
The day will provide heaps of practical advice as well as creative inspiration to help you achieve your ambitions. We’ll be highlighting some of the success stories from previous years, and hope to see magazines from this edition make their way onto the magCulture Shop shelves too!
Spaces are limited to ensure everyone gets the most out of the day. Once you’ve made your booking, you’ll be invited to tell us more about your idea so we can tailor the day accordingly.
"It was during one of the MagCulture Live conferences that I had the idea to launch a magazine on climate change. So, I was super thrilled when only a few months later they offered a workshop on everything you needed to know about the process of making a magazine from distribution, to financing, to finding writers and the right kind of format….all my questions were answered and I was encouraged in the process. Only five months later I was holding the first copy of my magazine.”
– Afsaneh Angelina Rafii, Icarus Complex
What’s included in the £120 ticket price?
The price includes all tax and Eventbrite fees; there are no extras. Each attendee will receive full access to the live talks and to the archived video recording of the entire event.
Do you offer student places?
We always offer three free places to students and under 23s. These were allocated for the original March date.
Book your ticket now
Saturday 5 & Sunday 6 September 2020
10am-1pm each day, online using Zoom
With thanks to our partners Park Communications for their support of The Flatplan