What happened to the FM digital? in Horror Film Books and Magazines Forum

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What happened to the FM digital?

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EDITOR MFTV	What happened to the FM digital?	Lead	[-]
May 22 12 2:25 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	The May/June issue hadn't showed up yet. That's why I love Rue Morgue digital, it's usually available two weeks before it hits the newsstand. Fangoria digital died after 4 issues and FM digital is always late. Jim Clatterbaugh Editor/Publisher MFTV www.monstersfromthevault.com
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davebalme		#1	[-]
May 23 12 8:58 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Jim ~ I subscribe digitally to FM and was curious where my issue was. I received an email response from them stating that they were having problems with the iPad app and were looking for a different carrier for their issues, also assuring me that service would be resumed as soon as possible. As I've still got two issues to go on my subscription I'd like to see how they fulfill them.
EDITOR MFTV		#2	[-]
May 23 12 10:53 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	davebalme wrote: Jim ~ I subscribe digitally to FM and was curious where my issue was. I received an email response from them stating that they were having problems with the iPad app and were looking for a different carrier for their issues, also assuring me that service would be resumed as soon as possible. As I've still got two issues to go on my subscription I'd like to see how they fulfill them. They're using the same delivery method as Rue Morgue which is always on time and problem free. It seems it's more of a problem with how the digital versions are built and not the delivery method. Rue Morgue is still tops (delivery and performance) when it comes to the magazines I subscribe to digitally. Jim Clatterbaugh Editor/Publisher MFTV www.monstersfromthevault.com
The EDitor.famousmonsters		#3	[-]
May 26 12 9:33 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Greetings all, I can assure you that it is indeed the platform that we're having an issue with. I don't know what deal Rue Morgue has with Yudu, but I'm happy to give you a quick rundown of our situation. -When it came time for the renewal of our contract with Yudu, they wanted to re-structure the entire thing, instead of keeping with what we had initially been told would be our ongoing arrangement. Bottom line: It was a bad deal. -We've had many issues where subscriptions have been sold incorrectly. Many times a person buys a subscription for 6 issues and is immediately given—for sake of example—3 old issues and now only has 3 issues left on their sub, when it was supposed to be a subscription starting from when they purchased the app. We have no control over upload or implementation since we simply deliver the digital to Yudu and they handle getting it through to Apple. This issue, despite our asking, has yet to be fixed. -We want to use a platform that will allow people to read the same issue on desktops, laptops, phones, tablets and whatever their heart desires (which, as of now, Yudu does not offer). We're working with several companies to see which will give us the best cross-platform compatibility so you're not forced to choose your platform or to buy multiple version for different devices. As to how we'll make good on people who have purchased subscriptions through iTunes, we'll take the sub list from Apple, create accounts in the new system for those users in our new system, and make sure they get the rest of their issues through the new platform. It's been quite an unfortunate situation, but we're always looking to expand and get better. When the technology falls behind we have to move ahead without it. Yes, it's caused a bit of a bumpy road for the time-being, but we'll get it fixed and make sure everyone is made whole. Any questions you have just hit us up at info@famousmonsters.com and we're happy to keep you in the loop. I'm sorry again about this. I know it's frustrating. Believe me, it would have been easier to sit still and provide something that was marginally effective. But we want to do better. Thanks for taking the time to read this and have a wonderful holiday weekend, Ed Blair Executive EDitor Famous Monsters of Filmland
EDITOR MFTV		#4	[-]
Jul 10 12 1:36 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	The EDitor wrote: Greetings all, I can assure you that it is indeed the platform that we're having an issue with. I don't know what deal Rue Morgue has with Yudu, but I'm happy to give you a quick rundown of our situation. -When it came time for the renewal of our contract with Yudu, they wanted to re-structure the entire thing, instead of keeping with what we had initially been told would be our ongoing arrangement. Bottom line: It was a bad deal. -We've had many issues where subscriptions have been sold incorrectly. Many times a person buys a subscription for 6 issues and is immediately given—for sake of example—3 old issues and now only has 3 issues left on their sub, when it was supposed to be a subscription starting from when they purchased the app. We have no control over upload or implementation since we simply deliver the digital to Yudu and they handle getting it through to Apple. This issue, despite our asking, has yet to be fixed. -We want to use a platform that will allow people to read the same issue on desktops, laptops, phones, tablets and whatever their heart desires (which, as of now, Yudu does not offer). We're working with several companies to see which will give us the best cross-platform compatibility so you're not forced to choose your platform or to buy multiple version for different devices. As to how we'll make good on people who have purchased subscriptions through iTunes, we'll take the sub list from Apple, create accounts in the new system for those users in our new system, and make sure they get the rest of their issues through the new platform. It's been quite an unfortunate situation, but we're always looking to expand and get better. When the technology falls behind we have to move ahead without it. Yes, it's caused a bit of a bumpy road for the time-being, but we'll get it fixed and make sure everyone is made whole. Any questions you have just hit us up at info@famousmonsters.com and we're happy to keep you in the loop. I'm sorry again about this. I know it's frustrating. Believe me, it would have been easier to sit still and provide something that was marginally effective. But we want to do better. Thanks for taking the time to read this and have a wonderful holiday weekend, Ed Blair Executive EDitor Famous Monsters of Filmland Any update on this? Still looking for digital versions of FM #261, #262, and the newly released #263 as part of my digital subscription to FM. Jim Clatterbaugh Editor/Publisher MFTV www.monstersfromthevault.com
EDITOR MFTV		#5	[-]
Jul 10 12 1:44 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Also, I can read my digital subscription copy to Rue Morgue on my iMac desktop, MacBook Air laptop, iPad 2, and iPhone. All platforms, one subscription price. So I'm not sure why FM can't have the same arrangement as Rue Morgue. I hope the issues that have come out since the digital copies stopped with #260 are offered in the digital format and they just aren't skipped over. Jim Clatterbaugh Editor/Publisher MFTV www.monstersfromthevault.com
cjh5801		#6	[-]
Jul 10 12 2:41 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I second the request for an update, please. I get the hard copy of FM through my comics shop, but I also subscribe digitally so I can access it on my iPad. I've been missing the convenience this provides. - Clark hollowaypages.com
dmarks1000	FM Not Living Up to PromisYou mean to	#7	[-]
Jul 11 12 7:49 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	You mean to tell me that the new Famous Monsters is not living up to another one of their promises? Golly, I'm shocked, just shocked. With the Jekell / Hyde nature of the publication itself this really bites. Lets face it: Rue Morgue is professionally run like a business should be. They publish on time, every time, fulfill their promises and their digital content is not on time, it is early. FM on the other hand, despite how much I want them to be a great publication, do wonderful things and bring back memories of an enjoyable youth long lost, the fact is they provide us with trash like the horrible publication that was Issue #192 (poor print and picture quality, very little substance, zero bang for your buck outside of the cover). Every once in a while they will have a good article or something worthwhile like the Jap Giants Issue with quality writers like August Ragone, but since Jessie departed I just don't have much hope for FM anymore. We don't even get glossy color covers anymore. Notice the flat, matte finish to the covers now? Yep, gotta save a little money by charging full market price and giving you the customer less than most of the quality publications like HorrorHound, MFTV, Mondo Cult, Undying Monsters, etc. The list goes on. I will forever wonder what FM could have been in it 3rd time at bat. Maybe, just maybe things will change and improve. I hope so, but I'm not waiting for the Bat Phone to ring with the announcement.
EDITOR MFTV		#8	[-]
Jul 15 12 6:09 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Disappointed that FM digital is currently dead in the water with no new issues since #260 (while the print issue is up to #263), yet yesterday they charged me for a Yudu (which they say they're no longer using) subscription renewal through iTunes. Jim Clatterbaugh Editor/Publisher MFTV www.monstersfromthevault.com Last Edited By: EDITOR MFTV Jul 16 12 8:18 AM. Edited 1 times.
The EDitor.famousmonsters		#9	[-]
Jul 17 12 2:48 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Happy to give an update. Would have done it sooner but we just got back from Comic Con a few hours ago. Allow me to address these issues one at a time: 1. Jim, all the devices you named were Apple devices that work on related infrastructures. What Yudu does not allow us to do is be completely cross compatible: PC's, tablets, Mac's, Phones, e-Readers. We've no interest in charging people twice to read the same digital issue. The platform that we've decided to go with will allow people to make one purchase and then read the mag on PC's, Mac's, and some mobile devices and e-readers (and the list is growing). 2. We no longer do anything with Yudu. We'll be getting all the subscriber rolls from iTunes and then everyone will get their digital issues they are owed (retroactively and moving forward). Since Yudu has acted as an intermediary to iTunes, we've had little control over the billing, renewal, and upload cycle. When problems arose there was very little we could do to make corrections. That will change. The bottom line is that we are doing everything we can to make sure that all the subscribers are made whole. But until we have those subscriber rolls, we've no way to contact everyone and let them know the situation. Part of our trip to Comic Con was meeting with the different digital platform representatives in person to see what we could work out. I'm happy to say that I believe we've found our company. 3. We are looking to have the new platform up and running for issue 264 4. In replay to dmarks: You do make some valid points. In reference to issue 192, the proof we were sent was absolutely beautiful. Every picture was rendered perfectly. When the copies came in they were far too dark. That is why we've decided to go glossy with issues 193-199. As always, we appreciate the continued support of the Monster Kid community. Ed Blair Executive EDitor Famous Monsters of Filmland
EDITOR MFTV		#10	[-]
Jul 17 12 10:02 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	The EDitor wrote: Happy to give an update. Would have done it sooner but we just got back from Comic Con a few hours ago. Allow me to address these issues one at a time: 1. Jim, all the devices you named were Apple devices that work on related infrastructures. What Yudu does not allow us to do is be completely cross compatible: PC's, tablets, Mac's, Phones, e-Readers. We've no interest in charging people twice to read the same digital issue. The platform that we've decided to go with will allow people to make one purchase and then read the mag on PC's, Mac's, and some mobile devices and e-readers (and the list is growing). 2. We no longer do anything with Yudu. We'll be getting all the subscriber rolls from iTunes and then everyone will get their digital issues they are owed (retroactively and moving forward). Since Yudu has acted as an intermediary to iTunes, we've had little control over the billing, renewal, and upload cycle. When problems arose there was very little we could do to make corrections. That will change. The bottom line is that we are doing everything we can to make sure that all the subscribers are made whole. But until we have those subscriber rolls, we've no way to contact everyone and let them know the situation. Part of our trip to Comic Con was meeting with the different digital platform representatives in person to see what we could work out. I'm happy to say that I believe we've found our company. 3. We are looking to have the new platform up and running for issue 264 4. In replay to dmarks: You do make some valid points. In reference to issue 192, the proof we were sent was absolutely beautiful. Every picture was rendered perfectly. When the copies came in they were far too dark. That is why we've decided to go glossy with issues 193-199. r As always, we appreciate the continued support of the Monster Kid community. Ed Blair Executive EDitor Famous Monsters of Filmland So are you going to go back and make issues #261, #262, and #263 available as digital issues or will have a whole in our digital collections like the old FM when they ran Monster World? I like the hardback idea but at 3-5 issues per hardback and maybe 4 hardbacks a year we're talking about 50 books, a couple of grand, and more than 10 years to complete the collection. I'll pass as I would rather have them on DVD as a complete set (all at once) like say National Geographic which I paid $39.95 for. Jim Clatterbaugh Editor/Publisher MFTV www.monstersfromthevault.com
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Crow T Robot		#11	[-]
Jul 17 12 12:06 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	That's a great idea Jim. I'm in for that. Hardcovers are great, but as you said - it's gonna take forever to get them all released and they're gonna cost a fortune. I'll be dead before they're all released, IF they are all released.
The EDitor.famousmonsters		#12	[-]
Jul 17 12 2:30 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Hi Jim, Yes, all the issues will be filled in. There will be no gap. Once the subscriber rolls are in our hands and we have the digital versions ready, you'll receive any issue that you were owed inside of your subscription. No MONSTER WORLD or "Let's get to 200" gaps to be filled in here. Digital versions of the older issues is something we're currently talking about. Sadly, again, I can't say much more on it than that. But having library versions of these issues that can be read and shared and is a fantastic collectible, is something that we've been hearing people wanting since we brought FM back. They're going to look gorgeous once they've been restored, which is going to be quite a process. Thanks again everybody and please let me know if there are any other questions I can answer. Ed Blair Executive EDitor Famous Monsters of Filmland
EDITOR MFTV		#13	[-]
Aug 30 12 11:29 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	The EDitor wrote: Hi Jim, Yes, all the issues will be filled in. There will be no gap. Once the subscriber rolls are in our hands and we have the digital versions ready, you'll receive any issue that you were owed inside of your subscription. No MONSTER WORLD or "Let's get to 200" gaps to be filled in here. Digital versions of the older issues is something we're currently talking about. Sadly, again, I can't say much more on it than that. But having library versions of these issues that can be read and shared and is a fantastic collectible, is something that we've been hearing people wanting since we brought FM back. They're going to look gorgeous once they've been restored, which is going to be quite a process. Thanks again everybody and please let me know if there are any other questions I can answer. Ed Blair Executive EDitor Famous Monsters of Filmland Any update on FM digital? Jim Clatterbaugh Editor/Publisher MFTV www.monstersfromthevault.com
The EDitor.famousmonsters		#14	[-]
Aug 30 12 8:01 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Somewhat. They (YUDU) have stopped the auto-renew and have been informed that they're no longer our digital provider. We have found a new platform and are already creating the issues that people are owed. The issue we are faced with now is getting YUDU to do two things: 1) Turn over the subscriber rolls so we can reach out to the digital readers and get them on the path to being made whole. 2)Refund anyone who got auto-renewed. Neither have proven to be simple. There's a lot of resistance on their part. So, let's just say that we're "looking at all our options" with how to proceed based on how the dialogue goes. I wish there was more to tell, but this is not something that appears to be moving too quickly. We have put up a new version of Captain Co and a new Famous Monsters site will be going live next week. Once that is up, we'll be working to get the new digital issue ready for publication (264). If there's anything else please feel free to ask. Ed Blair Executive EDitor Famous Monsters of Filmland
ARGumshoe		#15	[-]
Aug 30 12 8:45 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	It seems to me that FM could easily reach out to the digital subscribers through this board, through the printed magazine, through the FM website, and through the Caption Co website.
Robert Summit		#16	[-]
Aug 30 12 11:41 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Boy, anything with FAMOUS MONSTERS on it is hands off for me! What a hassle, in any incarnation. "If you had a face like mine, you'd punch me right in the nose, and I'm just the fella that can do it!"
EDITOR MFTV		#17	[-]
Aug 31 12 9:36 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	The EDitor wrote: Somewhat. They (YUDU) have stopped the auto-renew and have been informed that they're no longer our digital provider. We have found a new platform and are already creating the issues that people are owed. The issue we are faced with now is getting YUDU to do two things: 1) Turn over the subscriber rolls so we can reach out to the digital readers and get them on the path to being made whole. 2)Refund anyone who got auto-renewed. Neither have proven to be simple. There's a lot of resistance on their part. So, let's just say that we're "looking at all our options" with how to proceed based on how the dialogue goes. I wish there was more to tell, but this is not something that appears to be moving too quickly. We have put up a new version of Captain Co and a new Famous Monsters site will be going live next week. Once that is up, we'll be working to get the new digital issue ready for publication (264). If there's anything else please feel free to ask. Ed Blair Executive EDitor Famous Monsters of Filmland I can easily send my info as I have e-mail receipts. Never received the last two issues of my original subscription, the I was rebilled for a renewal. Let me know who to send the info to. I have digital subscriptions to Rue Morgue (since it started), Fangoria, and now Diabolique. All are through Yudu and FM has been the only one with problems. Unfortunately, unless you just offer a simple PDF I don't see how it will be readable on all the different platforms your seeking. Best of luck, but at this time I just want a refund. Jim Clatterbaugh Editor/Publisher MFTV www.monstersfromthevault.com
Pulpmonster		#18	[-]
Aug 31 12 4:10 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Beginning to wonder if my "Live Monkey" will arrive before my digital issues.
HammerFilmFan		#19	[-]
Sep 1 12 8:01 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	It's really a shame to see these kinds of postings about FM Digital (just take a look at their reviews on Itunes as well!) - when the mag itself seems to be doing much better with the last issue. Here's hoping they can resolve everything. And quick. Before it's too late.... which it probably is already. When even a staunch supporter like Jim C. asks for their money back........... Probably a matter of too many endeavors at one time. Same thing happened to CFQ the first time it was bought out -- announcing they are making movies, etc. Nice to see the new owner of CFQ, Joe Sena, is trying ONE mag, and THEN go from there. How about mags getting the PRINT publication (just one, not 4 different 'zines) going FIRST, THEN branching off into more areas if they feel they must? Ray Steele The best magazine on SF/horror films currently being published (IMO) (In French!): L'Ecran Fantastique You can subscribe to L'Ecran Fantastique HERE through Amazon. It's worth it!
HauntedDave		#20	[-]
Sep 2 12 10:56 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Wondering the same thing They're taking my money with renewals but haven't seen issues in a long time,
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What happened to the FM digital?

What happened to the FM digital?