Eidtorial

Many people have asked us to give more specific details about what kind
of articles we want for Phoenix and how they should be submitted. In the
early days we were only too grateful for any contributions and how they
were submitted did not really matter just so long as they kept coming
in - and we've had some great material that way - but now we need to be
more specific, if we can.

Phoenix is intended to be an open forum for UK board wargamers and as
such welcomes articles on any subject so long as it is, in some way,
relevant to boardgaming We experimented in issue 6 with a 'fringe'
article and it is too early to say as yet whether this type of material,
not directly linked to any specific game but possibly of use to
potential game designers, has a place in Phoenix. One particular area
that is seemingly lacking is with regard to the new comers to our hobby.
It is easy(!) for a publication like Phoenix to become immersed in the
detail of advanced game play, or the hyper complex rule modification to
allow a degree more realism. After all, it is usually the elite players
- the dedicated few - who bother to modify their games, or who are
prepared to research new scenarios and submit articles for publication.
But from some of the letters we have received this would seem to be
ignoring the new comer and his requirements.

What we need are some articles from you that will help to pass on some
of the skills and know ledge of the more advanced players to the
beginners. Articles which discuss basic strategy or tactics in
particular games (or even games in general), articles on how to modify
games for solo play - as it appears that many new comers play solo,
perhaps in the hope that they will pick up a few of the skills by trial
and error before attempting to take on an opponent. For those who do let
me say that personally I think that one of the best ways to learn a
lesson is to be beaten by a master.

We've also been accused in the past, though not so much recently, of
being too SPI oriented as regard contents. I can only say that as Editor
one of the greatest problems I have is to find sufficient non SPI based
articles from the 'article bank'. This is bound to be a problem as the
vast majority of Phoenix readers are S&T subscribers who get the
magazine automatically, also the majority of games played seem, still,
to be SPI products. But more and more games are being released every
month from other companies so lets have some reviews, modifications,
game studies, etc on some of these.

Also we've been accused of not publishing enough fantasy and SF type
articles, but in all honesty we have printed proportionally the material
we have been sent. That is to say that if 10% of the articles that have
so far been published in Phoenix are fantasy based it is because
approximately 10% of the material in the 'article bank' is fantasy
based. If you, as readers of Phoenix, want more articles of a certain
type on particular subjects then you have to submit them. We do not have
the facility of writing to order.

As to how we would like your material submitted we will, from this
issue, be adding a paragraph to our banner head copy which will state
the 'ideal' requirement. Please don't be put off submitting material
just because you don't, for example, have a type writer. We would rather
have your contribution handwitten than not at all. If you are writing a
long article it is helpful to us if you can build in some natural breaks
so that, if necessary, the article can be split and run in successive
issues (like the 'Montrose' articles in issues 6 & 7). The general
feeling seems to be a preference for a greater number of shorter
articles per issue rather than the reverse.

As a rough guide - an article of 500-600 words will pretty well fill a
single page if it has supporting graphics i.e. pictures or maps. If you
wish to include maps in your material please make sure that they are
clearly drawn. You can use colour if it helps although we of course
cannot. We do however have the facility of tints and textures to help us
in place of your colours. Because of the technicalities of print
reproduction, maps and diagrams will invariably have to be redrawn so
don't worry if you are one the those people who feel that they 'can't
draw a straight line'. As long as what you are trying to show is clear
we will do our best to interpret it on your behalf.

Let me finally say that if you have submitted material in the past that
has not yet appeared in Phoenix don't automatically assume that it isn't
going to be used. Everything submitted is stored in our 'article bank'
and there are going to be a lot more issues of Phoenix. Some material
inevitably becomes dated and cannot therefore be used in its existing
form but in general most items will be reviewed for publication at the
start of each production planning phase for each issue of Phoenix. A bit
like having your Ernie bond come up really!

You will see from page 17 that we cannot hope to please all of you all
of the time but remember 'don't shoot the pianist 'cause he's doing his
best!'