O_T_W

[Joe]

What OTW has done is another example of an organization coming into what many thought was an unprofitable or saturated market, and succeeding anyway. Everything in this world has its critics – but arguments against success tend to lose their validity fairly quickly.
I can tell you that when an idea is proposed to OTW, they seldom shoot it down without discussion – they work with their contributors. If I put my mini-ego aside and consider a variant on the idea that was originally proposed, what emerges from the discussion is often better for all concerned – most importantly, the readership.
It should be noted that Zach, the new editor at the New England Fisherman, is doing a very good job. The production and editorial quality of the NEF has positively improved under his watch. I plan on contributing to them more - mainly because I need money - but also because I like the way Zach runs the show.
I don’t agree so much with the idea of comparisons being drawn between the two publications. They run shorter features in the NEF, but many more of them. I hope there is a place for both formats because many ideas are better suited for one, but not the other.
I don’t know anything about the business side of the magazines, but I think that if the quality is there with the features, columns, and reports - the local market can support both. Personally, I hope they both keep going forever – the more markets for stories the better.