Just over a year since the last such announcement, the current owners of Realms of Fantasy are announcing the magazine’s impending demise. Last November, owner Warren Lapine announced the sale of the magazine to William and Kim Gilchrist of Damnation Books LLC, following a month of seeking another owner. Original publisher Sovereign Media had originally announced the closure of the magazine in January 2009, only to sell it to Lapine in March of that year.
The Gilchrists have provided this announcement:
When we purchased Realms of Fantasy last year we truly thought that we could succeed in publishing the magazine for the foreseeable future. We were unable to realize this goal, have been losing money, and we must regretfully announce the closure of the magazine.
During our time with the magazine we picked up without missing a single issue and were lucky enough to produce the 100th issue. We were able to introduce poetry and bring back the table top gaming column. We have been truly amazed at the positive feedback on the issues we have produced from all of the fans. This is what makes this decision so painful for us.
As we were considering closing the magazine we thought it was important for the October 2011 issue to be released in print for the fans. We did this knowing there would not be a return on the investment, but did it simply because we felt it was right. This does mean the October 2011 issue will be the last issue. The issue did go to newsstands and we have copies for those who are not active subscribers.
Since the October issue shipped late please allow until November 15th before contacting us about lost mailings. International subscribers please allow an additional two weeks.
We are currently trying to work with other magazines to assume the subscription list. This will ensure that subscribers get something for the portions of the subscriptions not fulfilled. This does mean that we will not be issuing refunds unless we are unable to secure a deal, at which point we will follow our posted refund policy. We will update you when we have more information.
If there is anyone interested in purchasing the magazine we will listen to all offers. Those interested should send an email to support [at] rofmag [dot] com.
We would like to thank Shawna McCarthy and Douglas Cohen for all of your support and help. You have both been wonderful to work with during the last year. We would also like to thank all of the remaining staff for the quality columns and attention to detail. Lastly, but definitely not least, we would like to thank all of the fans for your support and encouragement.
Please direct all further inquiries to support [at] rofmag [dot] com.
William and Kim Gilchrist
Damnation Books LLC
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Fiction Editor Shawna McCarthy’s farewell editorial is posted here, and Editor Douglas Cohen’s is here.
Related articles previously published on SFScope:
New owner confirms life and planned growth of Realms of Fantasy (13 January 2011)
Realms of Fantasy remaining intact (11 November 2010)
Once again, Realms of Fantasy is coming back from the brink of death (8 November 2010)
Realms of Fantasy is dying, again (18 October 2010)
Realms of Fantasy is NOT closing; sold to Tir Na Nog Press (10 March 2009)
Rumor control regarding Realms of Fantasy (9 February 2009)
More on the death of Realms of Fantasy (30 January 2009)
Realms of Fantasy closing (27 January 2009)