Magazine returns to life | Bangkok Post: Arts & Culture

After 13 years of absence Writer magazine, practically Thailand's only literary magazine, has risen again from the ashes, this time with writers, Binla Sangalakiri, Nara (Pornchai Viriyaprapanont), and Worapot Panpong at the helm. Former editors of this magazine were Kajornrit Raksa and the late Kanokpong Songsompan, the 1996 SEA Write awardee.

It all began, for this trio, with Rong Wongsawan's funeral in Chiang Mai in 2010. The team was in charge of the memorial book for Rong. After the funeral, they rode back to Bangkok together, and obviously, all the way, they talked about writing and books. The experience of putting together Rong's works and tributes to the legendary writer got them thinking about putting out a literary publication on a regular basis. At the end of the ride, they agreed to resurrect Writer with Binla as the chief editor. Among the outstanding contributors this time around are Chart Kobjitti, Prabda Yoon, Dan-Aran Sangthong, Tomorn Sukpreecha, Su Boonlieng, and many others.

Publishing a magazine, especially a literary one, is not an easy task. First of all, without adequate advertising revenue, a magazine cannot survive. Balancing between content and advertising is another big challenge. At the moment, the magazine has no more than three advertisers and perhaps others that might provide sponsorship in kind such as paper. On top of that, the three writers must juggle between their own regular commitment and the magazine. Plus, none of them has had experience managing a monthly publication. They have a long way to go before the magazine becomes self-sustaining.