Fans call for return of Notebook Magazine
March 2009 cover
Fans of the defunct female-focused Notebook Magazine have launched a campaign to bring it back more than three years since its was closed by News Corp.
The magazine aimed at women aged 35-39 was launched in 2005 by Federal Publishing Company (FPC) and acquired by News Corp (then News Ltd) as part of its purchase of FPC in 2007. At the time editor Caroline Roessler described the magazine as “both inspirational and aspirational, providing everyday solutions for women’s busy lives and insights centred around thought-provoking, intelligent and compassionate journalism.”
News Magazines (now NewsLifeMedia) published the last issue in October 2010. It had a circulation of 70,188 in its last circulation results, marking a drop of 4 per cent on the previous year.
A Facebook fan page for the retired publication has found the support of 172 Facebook users so far and readers are planning to start up a petition to call for its return.
Nicole Barnes, who is now 29, said she has sorely missed the magazine adding: “I am much younger than the target demographic but I found it to be an amazing concept for a magazine and really enjoyed them. It was such a unique publication, there is nothing really on the market currently that compares.”
Barnes said Notebook was arty, like the Morrison Media title Frankie, but unlike Frankie was “not hipster”, she said. Frankie is one of few print magazines to grow its circulation and gained readers in ten successive print runs.
Fans of the magazine say they liked that it “supported and inspired the simple and creative life” and that it “wasn’t full of gossip and adverts”.
Barnes added: “That’s probably what the problem was.”
However, she said old issues are still relevant, and fans have been hunting down old copies of Notebook on auction site eBay, in op shops and even stolen them from public waiting rooms.
A spokeswoman for NewsLifeMedia said: “We are pleased to hear Notebook is fondly remembered however there are no plans to bring it back.”
Content from Notebook has been included on NewsLifeMedia’s Homelife.com.au, which features decorating, gardening and cooking ideas from News Corp’s print magazines Inside Out and Country Style.
seriously? a facebook community of 172 fans is considered newsworthy??
User ID not verified.
There is more interest in “The Church of Beyonce Knowles and latter day Destiny’s Child” on facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/135802599098/) than for the defunct notebook magazine. LIKE WHATEVER HAPPENED TO BEYONCE MAGAZINE!?!?!?
User ID not verified.
major publisher says it is actually going to launch 2 “real” magazines, a suite of new digital products and presents a fantastisc research piece and Mumbrella devotes more words to 172 gibberers that are fantasizing about relaunching a long closed, commercially unviable mag.. way to serve your readres! Thanks !
User ID not verified.
Bring back Ita!
User ID not verified.
Firstly Seb, if you don’t like the magazine don’t comment on it, we have found it hard to spread the word as our admin has been unwell so hasn’t had time 24/7 to be proactive on hit his page, luckily enough one of the members has taken this on board which is great it was a fantastic magazine, no models, real stories beautiful layout, good recipes, family issues, positive and inspiring stories of women overcoming difficulties, beautiful floral cover layouts. Etc. it was a reasonable price and a lot of people have kept their issues due to this I actually just posted what I had left in spares to a lady in America.
User ID not verified.
I have the collection of ‘The notebook magazines’ .
My girls are heading into their teens and are now taking over the collection. It is an inspirational magazine. I would love this magazine to be making a come back. I work night shift, i take one og my notebook magazines to read on my break. It always gives me something positive to do for nyself or others. Its ashame its not sold anymore. ?
User ID not verified.
Would welcome the return of Notebook magazine.
I started reading it my 40s and just dug put a pile and am reading it again and love recipes living and housekeeping ideas still relevant today I am now 66!!
Regards Jenny
User ID not verified.
Hi,
I have a stash of Notebook magazines, today I’m reading the March 2006 mag. We are in 2019 and Notebook is still the best, the information, the beautiful photos & paper its written on, the quotes, the recepis, a real magazine for Women.
No other magazine comes up the standard of Notebook.
Wish it would come back.
Mary
User ID not verified.
Thanks for sharing. I read my old copies when I need a lift .
I’ve been reading Mindfood for a couple of years but it doesn’t have the articles I’m looking for.
Celebrities don’t interest me.
Notebook covered so many topics and I’m going to look for missed copies so I can add to my collection.
User ID not verified.