Indie Publishing
Field Notes

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Letters

Letter to the editor

Posted on Jun 11 2015 in Letters

Thank you so much for the offer, I actually buy my copies at an independent magazine kiosk in Santa Monica, Ca since I’m a bit impatient when it comes to shipping haha. I wanted to say thank you for making such an amazing magazine. As someone who lives in the growing “Silicon Beach” part of southern California and works for a few tech companies, this magazine has given me so much confidence in pursuing more opportunities in tech.

I love how personal your magazine feels. I read a lot of independent magazines from Hello Mr. to Human Being, The Happy Reader, The Great Discontent, Saturdays, Monster Children, Cereal, and the recently published Avaunt. What I like most about yours and other publications with similar dimensions is that it’s the perfect size to take around but also to leave out on the coffee table. I know you take careful time in choosing the paper and I have to say that hard work doesn’t go unnoticed, I would buy the magazine for the paper quality and smell alone. Those smaller details that may go unnoticed if sitting on a shelf amongst other widely spread commercial magazines are exactly the reasons why I seek yours out and only buy directly from you or from an independent seller where I know the money keeps you both in business. I really appreciate the colors you choose, the fonts you use, the advertisements sections, and my favorite: the side notes.

Thank you so much for putting this out and continuing to share the behind the scenes processes that go into the creation of the magazine. All the emails you share, blog posts you write, and just every interaction to keep the magazine human makes me as a reader truly feel as if I’m supporting a friend by buying, reading and admiring their work.

A very satisfied reader and supporter,
Jeremy

Thanks for making my day, Jeremy!

Letter to the editor

Posted on Feb 15 2015 in Letters

I hope you’re doing well! I just wanted to send you a picture of me reading my Offscreen issue 10 with my four-month old, who happens to sort of be named after you. My wife and I were trying to think of names one day and an issue of Offscreen was on the coffee table and I remembered meeting you at XOXO. I asked her what she thinks of “Kai”. We were trying to find a name that works easily in English, Chinese and Japanese and it fit the bill. The name made the short list, then the list and in October of last year little Kai was born :-)

I just thought I’d let you know. Thanks again for all of the hard work you do with Offscreen. It’s by far my favorite magazine to get in the mail :-)
Brian

I’ve said it before and I say it again: I have the bestest readership a publisher could wish for. Thank you, Brian!

Letter to the editor

Posted on Dec 03 2014 in Letters

Dear Kai,

I just wanted to write you a brief note of appreciation. I am in the process of launching a magazine, and I wanted to let you know how much of an influence and an inspiration you have been.

I have never functioned heretofore within the world of web design or app development or anything even vaguely computer-related. Yet, I read every issue of Offscreen from cover to cover, with great relish and enjoyment. The publication itself is what I have come over the last few years to seek, to demand, from the printed word: that is, a tranquil and beautiful diversion from work, from hassle, from being online all the time. Offscreen gives me what I have always sought from books. An escape, a stimulation, a diversion: ideas in physical form. A beautiful one, in this case.

Moreover, I am staggered, and astounded, by the generosity you have shown in putting in the time to keep your blog going. You cannot imagine what an impetus and source of guidance your experiences, your honesty, and your transparency have been. I have read the whole thing, from your first post, and you have saved me huge amounts of time and hassle as you have kept me thinking of things that wouldn’t have occurred to me until it was too late!

I am delighted to hear of every success you enjoy, and I hope it may continue long into the future.

So, simply, thanks a million!

Best regards,
Kieran

Whenever I’m having a hard time working on the next issue (which is often), I look through the Letters tag on my blog and read humbling emails such as this one to cheer me up. You guys are the best readership a magazine can wish for!

Letter to the editor

Posted on Feb 01 2014 in Letters

Hi Kai

I’ve been meaning to write to you to thank you for the positive impact your sweet magazine has made on my life. When I read your most recent blog post today, it seemed like the right time to send you a note.

I’m a magazine fiend myself, a Kiwi living in Berlin. A couple of weeks ago I picked up Offscreen for the first time in a cafe, and found I had to wrestle my boyfriend (a web developer) to keep a hold of it. Finally, I had found magazine that he actually wants to read – thank YOU for single-handedly solving a serious problem in our relationship. Now each week when I drag him into Do You Read Me? I will no longer have to endure his sulky looks, because he will be happily reading as well! Kai Brach: relationship counsellor.

So that’s the first thank you. The second one is for your blog, which I think is brilliant. I am in the process of eking out an idea for my own magazine and being able to follow along your journey and discoveries has been invaluable to me. Where else could I find musings on working alone, the actual numbers instead of the usual “we don’t make a lot” (because what is ‘a lot’?!), a brief history of typefaces, how to choose a printer. Please, please don’t stop.

The last thank you is for making a mistake and keeping on going. So many people are too scared to even start a project like this for fear of making a mistake. And yet you just made one and received an outpouring of love for your project, because it is so much bigger than one silly mistake.

Please keep on keeping on.

Best wishes,
V.

Letter to the editor

Posted on Aug 25 2013 in Letters

Hi Kai,

Eight months back, last December, I got to know about your work and the publication of Offscreen. I am following the journey you have undertaken since and I admire the initiative of yours in bringing to life stories and experiences of individuals whose efforts otherwise remain hidden. I came to understand about the importance and emphasis placed on human interaction, collaboration and coordination in developing something worthwhile on web and beyond and its effects on many facets of life.

My life has also been enriched through an endeavour of mine since September, 2012 when I created Lucky Compiler. While chronicling the lives and creative processes of personalities from the world of art and photography I have seen how minute and often overlooked aspects defined them as a person and their careers professionally. This has also helped me in gaining deeper insights about life in general.

My satisfaction lies in creating something meaningful and I thank you for creating something as significant as your publication.

Warm Regards,
Dhruba

Made my weekend. Thanks Dhruba!