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Luma Works set to launch ‘Storytime’ Magazine, rejecting cover mounts as selling point

By John Freeman on August 29, 2014

New publisher Luma Works is to launch its first title, Storytime, on 10th September 2014 – a 52-page title offering a mix of fairy tales, folk tales, fables, myths, legends, poetry and extracts from well-loved children’s books that will eschew the normal practice of enticing readers with plastic cover mounts like almost every other young children’s title on sale on the UK news stand.

The company is offering subscriptions on the title’s web site – www.storytimemagazine.com – that offer 25 per cent off cover price.

Storytime is particularly timely as, from next month, reading for pleasure will be given greater emphasis on the National Curriculum in the UK. Sittingbourne-based publisher Luma, which already has a track record in developing successful, international magazines for other publishers, hopes the title will get parents and children to enjoy reading together even more by offering a captivating mix of fairy tales, folk tales, fables, myths, legends, poetry and extracts from well-loved children’s books. All the stories will feature specially-commissioned illustrations to engage parents and children still further in the magical world of stories.

Comic artists and illustrators reading this item might be interested to know that the company is interested in looking at portfolios – there are more details on the contact page of magazine’s web site – but not writers at this time.

The first issue will include “Goldilocks and the Three Bears”, “The Hare and the Tortoise”, “Aladdin”, “The Owl and the Pussy-cat”, “Perseus and Medusa”, “The Fairy Bride” and “Alice in Wonderland”, plus story-inspired puzzles, colouring and games, and top tips from an education consultant.

“We’re immensely excited and proud to be launching Storytime,” says Leslie Coathup, director of Luma Works, “as we are offering something completely different to many other mass market children’s titles. Storytime is that rare thing – a children’s magazine that parents can enjoy too.

“We’re not relying on cover mounts – we have a no plastic toy policy,” she added. “Instead we want to entice people with timeless tales told in a fun and engaging way, never-before-seen beautiful illustrations, and high production values. We hope that parents will thoroughly enjoy revisiting and sharing tales from their own childhoods and that, in turn, we help make some happy Storytime memories for their own children.”

• Storytime magazine will be on sale monthly from 10th September 2014, priced at £3.99. In addition to UK distribution, it will also be available in the US through Barnes & Noble and Books-A-Million, and also in Australia. A digital version will be available through iTunes. Web: www.storytimemagazine.com

John Freeman

The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.

Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.

He’s the writer of “Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies” for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood.