posted 05-18-2005 08:24 PM               

quote:

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Originally posted by Apollo-Soyuz:
The main thing that needs to be done as far as the Astrophile is concerned is to find a new editor who can devote the time to put out a top notch journal.

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John:

What are the requirements for the position of Editor of the Astrophile and what are his/her duties. There are hundreds of collectors reading these requirements. You may be able to find a new editor here.

posted 05-18-2005 11:00 PM               

I recall the early days of the Astrophile when it was offset printed. As you stated, there was no "desktop publishing " in those days. It was hard work in the days of "cut & paste." Illustrations were another matter. There were few of them because they were difficult to print and required special processing. I was the editor of theExplorer of the International Assn of Space Philatelists for about 20 years and that is how I prepared the Explorer.

The IASP ceased to exist in 1990 due to a personal problem. It was not until 1999, when I purchased a computer, that I got back into the hobby of Space Philately. I discovered almost immediately that many things had changed. The Astrophile was better than ever and it was fully computerized. Editor Mark Bloom had taken it to a new level of achievement. He used MS Publisher to prepare 48 pages containing well-written articles and many illustrations. It was printed in a compact size and bound like TV Guide or Reader's Digest.

Mark wished to retire as editor. I accepted the position. It took two months for Mark to train me because MS Publisher is a difficult program to master. I told him that it was like writing on jello.

I prepared 11 issues of the Astrophile while I was editor. These issues and those of Mark Bloom have won many awards in literature competitions. In late 2003 I resigned as editor.

Preparing the Astrophile was a "labor of love." It had to be because it required an enormous investment of time and effort.
The new "interim editor" has done a great job, but he wishes to be replaced. The new editor should have communications skills, familiarity with MS Publisher or another desktop publishing program and should be willing to devote much of his/her spare time to the "job." There is a fee that will be paid to the editor.

The job requires communicating with members to obtain articles, working with the advertising manager and the Board of Directors and the Officers of the Space Unit. If interested, contact me offline.