We’re very excited to sit down with Connie Payne, and bring you some exclusive details about a terribly keen new project of interest to anyone who enjoys living history and the mid-19th century!
The SA: Connie, you’ve been the able editor of The Citizen’s Companion for seven years, taking the reins from its original able editor, Susan Hughes. For the last few, you’ve also been the editor of The Camp Chase Gazette. But now, we understand you have an exciting new project launching?
I do, and it IS exciting!
Tell us a bit about that?
The Civil War Citizens and Soldiers Digest is a new publication showcasing both civilian and military topics of interest in the same magazine. We will be focusing more on the historical aspect of the mid-19th century with the focus, of course, on the Civil War years.
What prompted you to take the leap and design this digital on-line magazine?
Well, I wasn’t ready to not be a part of a reenactor/living historian publication, and when Lakeway Publishers made the decision to move the Citizens’ Companion and The Camp Chase Gazette “in-house” to their Morristown, TN offices, that was exactly what was going to happen.
I suddenly found myself as an EX-editor, and that didn’t set well. I had dedicated seven years to editing The Companion, and four to editing The Gazette, and I wasn’t ready to just walk away from it. There is still so much to be shared and learned, and I wanted to continue being a part of bringing that to the hobby.
When longtime friend and well-known researcher and author Craig Barry came to me and suggested that we team up with Bill Christen (The Watchdog) and move forward with a fresh new publication, I just couldn’t say no. Everything fell into place beautifully.
You’ve been involved in living history yourself; when did you get pulled in, and what have you enjoyed most?
I was a spectator at the Gettysburg 135th festivities, sitting on the top row of the bleachers in 100 degree heat, watching something I had never seen before. I remember seeing that first wave of soldiers come into view, hearing the drums, watching the horses kick up dust, and standing there with tears running down my cheeks. As a longtime history buff, I had always been interested in the time period, but knew very little about the reenacting side of things. That started it for me, and for my entire family.
What I have enjoyed most are the mornings in camp. I would like to say that it is always the interaction with the spectators, or the opportunity to share what I know, or something very academic, but I have always loved being in the field.
With living history as a personal passion, you must have a unique perspective on publications that support the hobby. What do you hope subscribers will gain from your perspective in the S&CD?
We are hoping to bring a more historical approach to the time period. There was life before the Civil War; inventions, travel, communication, medical research and breakthroughs, military advances, and the list goes on and on. I, personally, have always had a desire to know WHY and HOW as opposed to just being told WHAT…..and our collective goal with this publication is to go one step beyond what has been done before.
What new opportunities and advantages does the digital publishing format give?
Whether good or bad, people love their computers, and the publishing world has certainly taken a step in that direction, as well. Nearly all of the major magazines in print have gone to an online version, and people love it! It’s quick, it’s easy, and in most cases it’s cheap!
The greatest opportunity it affords is instant connectivity to other people, their businesses, their Facebook pages, their online stores.
Our goal at this time is to not only have our full-color magazine fully accessible and printable from our website, but to provide dozens of helpful links to other Civil War resources, as well. Museums, organizations, seminars, conferences, facebook pages…..the options are limitless.
This isn’t just about OUR magazine, this is about providing the living historian and the reenactor with information that they can use to enhance their impression, or simply fuel their interest. Being digital and being online allows for much easier access of that information.
Will there be special availability for e-readers, like Kindles?
We’re hoping so! At this time, however, we are simply concentrating on getting the website up and functioning, laying out the first edition and working the kinks out.
On-line access is going to be really convenient! Some of us around here (and we won’t get too specific about just who, or where that reading happens) love to sit down with a physical book to read. Will there be a printed option for readers? How will that work?
I couldn’t agree with you more, and the answer is yes. The way that this magazine is going to be available in print form will be through numerous sutlers, vendors and merchants. They will purchase the magazines directly from us, and the reader will purchase from them.
At some point we may implement an actual “subscription” system, but this initial plan is the most cost-effective way for everyone involved as we start this new venture. Subscribers are often reluctant to pay for a year’s subscription to a very new publication, fearing that it will not be successful, and we certainly respect that concern.
And remember, we are designing our website so that the entire magazine can be printed from a home computer at no cost whatsoever. It’s not the same as a magazine-in-hand, but it is sufficient for many who simply want the information for later reference. For those who want the physical magazine, we are hoping that there will be MANY merchants out there that will be more than happy to supply you with one.
With your last magazines, a household with military and citizen living history enthusiasts would need two subscriptions. How is this digital magazine different?
This publication covers both facets of the hobby, military and civilian, and as I just mentioned, it’s FREE online! Of course not everyone will be interested in all of the articles, but I have found that the majority of reenactors do have some interest in even the areas of the hobby that they don’t personally participate in.
The vast majority of reenactors have a spouse or significant other who is also involved in the hobby. If we can features articles of interest to both individuals in the same publication, and eliminate the need for them to go to two different places to find the information they need, we all win.
So, this will help solve the problem of military participants who lack citizen-life context?
Absolutely. My own husband made the statement one day, “The Citizens Companion is of no interest to me, I’m a military reenactor.” I reminded him that every soldier was a civilian before the war. Soldiers weren’t born soldiers, and a good military reenactor today should also have a good working knowledge of “life” during this time period.
And, since multiple members of the household can read on-line, no more fighting for First Read! What size publication do you anticipate, and how frequently will new editions release?
We will release new editions 6 times a year, and we are aiming at a page count of between 40 and 60 pages, depending, of course, upon content contributed.
Any nifty partnerships you can tell us about?
Without question, our greatest partnership is with The Watchdog. We are a Watchdog publication, which means that we are backed and sponsored by early 20 years of top-notch research and dedication to the hobby. Bill Christen is well-respected in the living history community, and he will be instrumental in working with Craig and I to provide readers with great material.
Do you have some special advisers for specific topics?
As far as specific topics, I’ll be focused on the civilian end of things, of course. Craig is knowledgeable in both areas of the hobby and will be writing and researching military and civilian. And of course we have wonderful contributors already lined up who are pledging their support and printed material.
What types of features can readers anticipate in the coming months?
We are really excited about your upcoming series of articles on Westward Movement & Migration, and all that entails. It’s something that I am personally very interested in, so that will be something to really look forward to.
I am also working with some military reenactors to reconstruct the entire process of “becoming” a soldier: the mustering-in process, what training existed for new recruits, conditions in camp, etc. I think that will be especially interesting to those new to the military end of the hobby.
I know that we have some articles coming up on correct tinware, lighting, swords & sabres, and all manner of other things.
(Sewing Academy readers will find the first portion of the Westward articles here on our site. We’re looking forward to sharing our love of the West!)
In your last project, you were always very welcoming to new contributors, and supportive of past contributors. What should a new writer know about contributing to the S&CD? Is there a spot on the site where they can find writer’s guidelines?
Without contributors, there is no publication. I was always very humbled when people wanted to share their knowledge with readers. Many people had never written for a magazine, and they were terrified even thinking about it. When they realized that I never expected people to be historical scholar or academics, they were far more willing to contribute.
Of course we want to provide well-researched material, and articles which are contributed will be reviewed for accuracy, but everyone is welcome. If there are issues with content, we will address them individually and personally before publication.
I was always asked about writers guidelines, and I was probably the only editor in the world who didn’t have any. (SA inserts: you need to hear the smile in Connie’s voice here!) I always allowed people to contribute what they knew, and to use the verbiage and terminology that suited them best. I stayed away from word counts, specific formats, and things which just made contributing more difficult for people. I handled every submission personally, and addressed any issues as they came up. It always worked for me, and I plan to continue with what works.
That being said, the new website will have a spot which details how we would like material submitted, how to get it to us, etc.
Are there particular topics you’re looking for?
From a purely historical context standpoint, articles which deal with communication, travel, daily life, education, occupations, housing, etc. are always welcome.
From a military standpoint, we would like to see more articles dealing with strategy and implementation of tactics, weaponry, campaigns, uniform specifics, camp life, etc.
Again, limitless possibility in both areas!
What’s the best way to read the digital magazine? How can we get a subscription?
As I mentioned, we are staying away from the formal subscription system at this time. Since the online version of the magazine and access to the website is absolutely free, we are encouraging folks to show their appreciation with a donation to the Watchdog Preservation Fund. That has always been a priority for the organization, and we will be continuing on with those efforts.
Print versions will be available at a number of sutlers and merchants, and reenacting groups, round table groups, living history groups, etc. are also welcome to purchase in bulk and then sell to their members.
What about those of us who are not only living history enthusiasts, but also historically-focused merchants? This new magazine sounds like a great marketing spot. How should interested merchants contact you?
You’re right! Merchants can purchase the printed magazine for only $2 each, just pennies over what we are paying to have them printed. We ask that no merchant charge more than $4 for them, which is still far below other reenactor magazine cover prices. This is a nice profit for a group, or a merchant. We’re still working out the details for ordering and shipping but should have this all worked out by the time the website is up and running. Merchants will also be able to contact me for advertising rates and options.
Are you planning any special sections to advertise upcoming events across the nation? How can groups submit notices, and how far in advance must you have them?
At this time we are not going to dedicate space to a calendar of events. There are other publications out there, including several online resources, which do a great job of listing those events. Up to 20% of a magazine can be taken up just listing the usual reenactments and living history events, and that can really hamper how much editorial context can be presented.
What we WILL consider running will be conferences, seminars, unique living history opportunities, and events which focus on impression-improvement and specific topic coverage. These can be sent to my attention at my editorial email address.
What has you the most excited about the new publishing adventure?
That a military reenactor married to a civilian reenactor can now fight over the same publication! Knowing that, between the covers, will be information that will touch on the battlefield AND the home front and any number of topics of interest to both military and civilian reenactors. It’s an opportunity to put together a truly eclectic publication with no lines drawn as to which “side” of the hobby will enjoy it most.
And of course, working with 2 of the most well-researched guys in the hobby. The 3 of us are about as different as you can get, and yet there is a long history of friendship and respect that I think will lend itself well to the success of the publication.
It’s exciting to be a part of something that you know is based upon having a heart for it, as opposed to simply looking at it as a business venture. There is no doubt that the 3 of us truly have a passion for the time period and for the hobby which far exceeds our publishing and editorial brilliance!
If you could sum up the C&SD philosophy in one sentence, what would you say?
To provide the reenactor and living historian with a publication that is interesting, well-written, well-researched and reliable. Limiting me to one sentence wasn’t very nice.
I’m really mean that way. (Big grin!)
Let’s wrap up with two very vital questions: what’s your favorite 19th Century dessert? (Dessert is popular around here!)
Rhubarb Cobbler.
And lastly: what’s the view like from your editorial office window?
Utter and total chaos… but I see a rainbow WAY off in the distance!
It sounds as though the new Citizen’s & Soldier’s Digest is set to be the pot of gold at the base of that rainbow! Thanks for chatting with us; we’ll be engaging in Random Acts of Polka as the new digital magazine debuts!