Yesterday I wrote a post about my excitment about having a 2 page article in Modern Quilting Magazine. And less than 2 hours later I felt I had no choice but to delete the post, because it has come to my attention that All Craft Media, (ACM) who are the parent company of Modern Quilting Magazine have very likely gone into either administration or liquidation.
But the plot thickens.
It should be noted that ACM, owned by Kerrie Allman, is a pheonix company of another company she owned, KAL Media, which went into liquidation in 2010.
http://companycheck.co.uk/company/06683690
http://companycheck.co.uk/company/06683690
It seems that there are many unhappy designers and contributors who have produced copy and designs for ACM and not been paid. I am one of them. (Perhaps my cheque is in the post?) And many designers have not received their samples back. Check out these links to see for yourself:
http://sewhappygeek.co.uk/index.php/2012/05/04/me-and-acm/
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.php?t=3940237
http://sewingmad.wordpress.com/2012/05/04/be-careful-when-submitting-articles-to-some-craft-magazines/
http://www.dull-roar.com/2012/02/all-craft-media-and-why-you-should-run.html
If you are a contributor or subscriber who is owed money, then take a look at this link for the administration details:
Sadly, it doesn't end there.
It seems that Kerrie has set up another company in her father's name:
Please draw your own conclusions.
It really saddens me to write this post. And I am so disappointed not to be able to share my article with you. It was my very first of the patchwork and quilting variety. But I am one of the lucky ones. My contribution was an article that involved about 2 afternoons of writing. Many others have spent hours and hours designing and sampling their work. All for nothing.
All Craft Media is leaving a bitter taste in people's mouths. But I hope this post will make people aware of the information currently circulating on the internet. Based on my experiences, that is all I can do.
Thank you for reading. I look forward to posting a happy post soon.
Sad post, sorry to have been the barer of bad news. I am, however, sure your work will be used in other magazines with a happier outcome :) x
ReplyDeleteSarah, I am so sad for you. Perhaps the article could be submitted elsewhere. It would be a shame to let that work be unappreciated by those of us who would love to read it.
ReplyDeleteI am sad for you and the others. I am also disappointed with the company who send the magazine as it arrived late this month (being a subscriber means you should get the magazine BEFORE it hits the shelves) and when I posted a comment on their Facebook page twice asking WHEN the second issue was due, I got NO response. Shame as it could have really been a good thing.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree, I thought it was a great magazine with loads of interesting articles and lovely patterns. It really could have been great. It is such a shame. I did get issue 2, but very late, I was wondering where it was. It seems many people didn't get a copy at all.
DeleteSuch a shame, the project looks great so hopefully it will be picked up by another magazine soon :)
ReplyDeletethank you so much for posting and for all the links. the more of us who are aware of this will prevent others from being taken.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry you got burned too. I've edited my post to include a link to yours. I've written a post about how to get listed as a creditor in case you don't have that info yet. If I can do anything for you (feature or guest post or whatever), please get in touch (jenna (at) sewhappygeek.co.uk)
ReplyDeleteOh no Sarah, I am so gutted for you and all the others that have been let down in this way. Sending you lots of quilty ((hugs)) xxxx
ReplyDeleteAh, thank you. I am so disappointed that no one is going to see my article! I have been overwhelmed by the support though. I guess things like this bring people together. xx
DeleteA good post Sarah, and a good thing to put it out there for other people. Very sad that your article wasn't able to be enjoyed by readers, but they say .. one door closes, and another door opens ... and I'm sure another magazine will snap up your article. Don't give up just because of one bad egg, there are plenty of good people out there waiting to discover you. I keep my fingers crossed that you and all the others who've been burned get your articles back, and money owed. I believe in Karma and hopefully Kerrie Allman will get her just deserves.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your post which enlightens all of us. I hope that you will find another, more reputable, venue for your article.
ReplyDeleteI just purchased Issue 1 of Modern Quilting Magazine at the local Books-a-Million.
ReplyDeleteVery sorry to hear about your being affected, the whole debacle has played out on Ravelry.com amongst knitters for some time now, in a way I'm pleased it's out in the open now to other groups of crafters silmilarly affected. Good luck x
ReplyDeleteHmmm did you see that Modern Quilting has been bought by Derek Barnes of Craft Magazine Shop. It sounds like issue three is going to be published in a few days. I really hope so, I loved the first issue (the only one I can find here in the States). http://modernquiltingmag.com/
ReplyDeleteDerek Barnes turned out to be a dead relative of Kerrie Allman. There is plenty of evidence that her sister and parents are still involved in the magazine, including the fact that Craft Magazine Shop is registered in her father's name. All evidence points to Kerrie using a pseudonym and a photo of a cousin to cover up her involvement. More information can be found here: http://www.ravelry.com/groups/friends-of-the-group-once-known-as
ReplyDeleteWow, this story is fascinating although extremely negative towards the company of some well known crafty magazines. I hope things change and more people become aware of this situation. Best of luck. Dianna
ReplyDelete