... or not. Anyway, I am pleased to inform readers that a piece I wrote for Wargames, Soldiers & Strategy magazine has been accepted and will appear in WS&S issue 137 - available for pre-order as I write.
The article will appear in the 'Irregular' column slot, and is called 'Let's Escape!'. It's about how considering our hobby as some kind of escape might not be the best idea if we want to get the most out of it. I have a couple of other ideas for the column which I'm hoping might be accepted. I'll guess we'll see.
Whether anyone will find it worth their time reading the piece also remains to be seen. I myself always flick past the painting and terrain articles in wargames magazines, being most interested in the scenarios and game reports. But I also find the WS&S columns worth reading, especially those written by well-known personalities (recently, Rick Priestley and Richard Clarke). I spend a lot of time doing hobby-related stuff, and I like to reflect on the whys and hows. But I also fully understand that some gamers flick past the opinion columns and love the terrain and painting articles.
Chacun à son goût, as they say in France. WS&S is the only magazine that does this sort of thing as a regular part of each issue, and it's something I admire the editor (Guy Bowers) for doing. You won't be surprised to know that WS&S is easily my favourite of the 3 wargames magazines on offer at the present time.
One other little bit of fun is that as a column writer you get a pencil cameo to head up the article. So I submitted a photo and you see the result below. It seems to be an image of a much older man! But there we are. A little boost to the ego nevertheless.
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| I didn't know I had that many wrinkles. |
As to going global, it was interesting to get the photo below from my eldest son, who lives and works in Kuala Lumpur.
Yes, there's actually a shop in Malaysia where you can get all the wargames magazines - if you live in the capital. Apparently, it's a pretty unique bookshop stocking English language books and magazines, including military titles like Ospreys. So if you're ever in KL... In fact, my impression is that wargaming in KL is mainly limited to Games Workshop-type stuff.
One Million Hits
Sometime in the past couple of months my hit counter has gone over the 1 million mark. This is very gratifying, although of course it's impossible know how many of those hits represents someone actually reading what's here. Those 1 million hits have occurred over the 17 years the blog has been in existence. I have certainly enjoyed creating every post, and the blog as it exists represents a excellent record for me of how my gaming has been developing. I hope it continues to be of some use to other gamers.
My thanks to all those who have taken an interest in this blog since it started in 2008. Although posts are rather less frequent than previously, I hope to continue with the blog for many years yet.
Anyway, that's it for now. A Shadow of the Eagles game report is coming up soonish - set in the Crimean War.
'Til next time!
17 comments:
WSS is the only magazine I'm still subscribed to (it's simply the best), and I'm one of those readers who does read the columns in every issue. I don;t always agree with them, but that's a different matter :-)
Looking through the content in the publisher's newsletter I saw you had an article coming - now I know what it is about. I used to take WSS regularly, like you thinking it was the best, but lately I have felt the scenarios weren't for me. Buying just for the comments (usually interesting) and reviews....not sure it is worth it. Perhaps the next one though!
Hah! No obligation Jim. I reckon I buy about 50% of the WSS issues which come out, depending on whether the theme or other articles attract me. It's good you can review what each magazine will contain rather than buying blind.
Congratulations on being published my the mag. It is my fave and I buy each issue. Look forward to the Shadow of the Eagles write up. I don’t do facebook so these days miss out on a lot of SotE material.
I have not bought a wargames magazines for years, but congratulations on the article being published. Simon J
Might be worth trying one out Simon, if the theme or some of the articles appeal. Ideal for a relaxing hour's reading.
Well don eon getting the a piece published Keith:)! I do hope you skirt over your interest, nay obsession, with 2mm wargaming and Nazis on dinosaurs;). I don't find much of interest in any of the magazines these days, given they are largely 28mm focussed and for rules that by and large I don't play. However the odd issue does come along that is worth buying and WS&S is certainly the best out there.
Thanks Steve. Yes, after extensive counselling I've set aside my hatred of 2mm figures and models. And my Dinogrenadiers remain unpainted. Oh, those wasted years!
Keith, congratulations on your WSS article and 1 million hits! Both are solid milestones to reach.
I read your article in WSS and enjoyed seeing your thoughts on the topic. I am not sure that "escape" is the right word to use here. Maybe it is but I have never heard anyone utter something like,
“Wargaming allows me to escape from my everyday life, and it allows me to be someone else for a while”.
The WSS GWS2024 survey had a question that is in this ballpark, though. The question asked was,
"Would you agree that wargaming helps you forget about stresses in life."
60% of respondents Completely Agreed with this statement and another 33% Somewhat Agreed. That is, at least 93% of survey respondents either somewhat or completely agree that wargaming helps with the stresses of life.
Thanks Jonathan. That sounds like good news. Although once retired, I sometimes think wargaming might add to the stresses of life, when choices about rules and worrying about unpainted models suddenly seem like real problems.
The quote came from that slightly weird film made a few years back called 'Miniature Wargaming: The Movie'.
BTW Jonathan, interesting that you have read the article when the Karwansaray website only says it is ready for pre-order. Are you a subsciber who gets the magazine in advance of the rest of us?
Keith, yes, I am a subscriber to the digital version. It is available before the printed copy. OK, looking at the HUGE pile of unpainted figures does add a bit of stress!
Well done on both counts, Keith!
Thanks!
I may well buy that copy if only to compare /contrast with WI who sneaked out first with rearguards and retreats this month or last - it matters not. That in a way is disappointing because as you say you like wss because it is different to the others. As I selectively take all three I would argue they have all managed to differentiate themselves quite well given the market dominators. You can of course source absolutely everything from the net by simply scrolling through a billion sites which is why “print” and “editorial” have not died out. Some humans have sussed the “way of the net” and it’s a pretty dreary experience. So while I may still use the internet etc this is a case that less is definitely more with Wargames magazines. And yes I do read the opinion pieces…..
Sorry that’s from the erratic wargamer!
That's a perceptive comment. I constantly wonder how 3 wargames magazines continue to be available, but the fact that each has a distinct identity and appeal is surely one reason why that happy situation continues.
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