iShimmy.com, The Belly Dancer Magazine
Publish This! Segment 4
Publisher:
Zaina Hart
Vancouver, Washington
* zaina@zainahart.com
When did
you begin publishing your magazine/newsletter?
The Belly Dancer Magazine hit the Belly Dance world in the
Summer of 2003. Our first teaser
issue was in black and white. The
next issue (Fall 2003) had a full color cover and was already 24 pages. The second issue weighed in at 32 pages
and the third had 40 internal pages.
We were growing so fast it was hard to keep up. A lot of sleepless nights – (while I
was working a full time job no less).
The last of those 8.5 x 7 issues finished with 56 pages. With the 2nd Quarter 2006
issue we went to a larger size 9 x 12 with 60 pages, color ads, and information
splashed throughout. Now I was
really running to keep up. In 2003
I also created the website and would upload the major articles, one quarter
behind.
Suzanna Del Vecchio CoverMarch of 2007 was another turning point. We became iShimmy.com, The Belly Dancer Magazine, online (where you are
reading this right now). The
change was painful in that I love print – actually holding all that color and
information is exciting. But it
was clear magazines were headed in this direction and with print costs soaring,
my finances quickly burning up, and local printer options dwindling I chose to
take that next step towards this new and positive growth. (They haven’t been calling me the
Phoenix since I was a teenager for no reason).
Pangia Cover
Carmine Guida of New York (and Djinn) was at the helm of
the new website design and upload.
He made the process exciting, and positive. As I made my requests (first was a printer friendly option
so that readers could still print articles/information) he seldom said no (he’s
like that) understanding that artistic ideas are like children – they must be
nurtured rather than squashed.
Most of the major articles from the very first issue were
transitioned over from the BDM to iShimmy.com - - reviews/interviews/features,
etc. providing all of that valuable information to the readers and now
available free.
Why do
you do it?
Because I love everything about this beautiful art. I want to provide information,
highlight dancers (our stars and upcoming performers), help teachers and
students alike grow and add to their tool boxes and for the most part “SHARE”
what you know, what I know and what they know.
What do
you feel is the criteria for a publisher in our business and what are your own
credentials?
Integrity! Motivation! Professionalism and a desire to share information.
Why do
you continue year after year - or in other words, what is it that motivates you
to continue?
YOU motivate me.
Readers, dancers, teachers, students, friends, family - - YOU! When you ask a question or have a
suggestion I do that Aries “Ram Charge” thing and try to find the answer from
the best source available.
What do
you want to achieve with iShimmy.com?
To educate our dancers - give them tools for sharing, performing and teaching our dance art in a professional and loving way.
Are you a
Local Publication? Regional? National? International?
iShimmy.com is read world wide.
Were you
a dancer prior to your publication? How long and what was/is your
involvement in ME Dance Arts?
Yes – I am approaching the 35 year mark in Oriental Dance
Art (since my first class), and 40 since my first exposure to our dance art.
Did you
have previous publishing experience before your publication?
I have been writing, albeit without a journalism degree,
since I was a teenager. Being the
comedic and motivational relief in many of the companies I have worked for
often put me in the Editor and Writer spots of company
newsletters/publications; some large, some small companies, Government and
private industry. It was only
natural that once I started dancing – I started writing about various events
and dancers. Working first for
Halima and Nadivah and then Mezdulene after she purchased Jareeda, as well as Middle
Eastern Dance & Culture Association, and Wiggle Hips – these really were a
catalyst for my own publication.
After 10 years of writing for other publications and with my own ideas –
I stepped out of the closet and into the publishing world.
How do
you pick your staff writers?
The main contributors have many years of experience, which
is why I asked them if they were interested in writing. As well, I am contacted by new writers
and dancers quite often with new and unique ideas for articles regarding issues
affecting our dance art and others as well.
I do not look for someone with a journalism degree, but
rather dancers/teachers with a desire to share valuable information and
experiences with our readers.
What do
you feel is the "highlight" of your publication?
The positive approach and professionalism all of the writers
have. They are able to get across
to the reader, the good and bad qualities of events, CD’s/DVD’s, shows and more
with respect. I receive countless
e-mails from readers about the integrity in which our writers share.
What
special features do you offer in your magazine?
Joy and Excitement.
And a Free Event Listing, Small fee Dancer/Merchant/Musician Directories
that the individual controls content for, and the ability to print any article
on iShimmy.com to share with friends, fellow/sister students.
Have you
always been in print? Do you offer the same information online? Have you considered going to online?
See above
What is
the cost for your publication's subscription and how many issues do you print
throughout the year? Do you have specialty issues?
There is no cost for readership or event calendar. Only Directories and advertisements
come at a cost.
If you
are published outside of the US, what language/s do you publish in?
Only English at this time.
Is there
anything else you would like to add that hasn't been covered - - anything else
that you feel is relevant?
Your feedback is
important – please feel free to contact me directly at anytime if you have
questions or comments. zaina@zainahart.com
Read about Zaina Hart
