From Teenage Vision to Digital Reality: My Journey Creating Zines and eMagazines

By the time high school beckoned, I had tasted success with my early ventures into Internet publishing, and I hungered for more. My eyes were set on a new horizon.

I had my sights on the latest software tools that had emerged, enabling the creation of eBooks that doubled as standalone applications, complete with embedded HTML content. Thanks to my experiences with ThirdGeek, I had honed my skills in crafting HTML-based content, making me well-equipped for this next challenge.

I stumbled upon the software while working on ThirdGeek, where one of the advertisers had just released an eBook. The concept fascinated me to no end, sparking an immediate desire to create my own digital content using similar methods. However, instead of penning a traditional book, I envisioned a bi-weekly magazine centered around a topic close to my heart.

At the time, Windows XP stood as Microsoft’s latest flagship operating system. Drawing from my earlier experiences of delving deep into operating systems, I had been closely tracking its development since its early pre-release stages, back when it was codenamed Whistler. Following the updates on Paul Thurrott’s SuperSite for Windows, I eagerly installed each pre-release version on my computers, eager to stay ahead of the curve.

I immersed myself in the latest version of Windows, eager to reverse engineer as much as possible and unravel the intricacies of its design. From exploring the depths of system changes to familiarizing myself with interface adjustments, I dove headfirst into experimentation. I was always prepared to format and reinstall the system whenever necessary to uncover the secrets of Windows XP.

As I delved deeper, I started cataloging various “tips and tricks” for Windows XP, meticulously compiling them using Microsoft Word on a separate computer with the intention of eventually releasing an eBook.

My aim was to compile at least 100 concise tips and tricks for the guide, which I planned to release as a PDF available for sale on a future website. Alongside this, I envisioned creating a bi-weekly magazine centered around Windows XP. With Microsoft’s operating system upgrade cycle spanning several years, I anticipated an abundance of material to cover.

Choosing the name XPreme, I wanted to emphasize that it was tailored for Extreme Windows XP users. After securing the domain, I began strategizing the logistics. Setting up an online merchant service would facilitate not only the purchase of the eBook but also the magazine. Additionally, I brainstormed a captivating hook to generate interest in the magazine among potential readers.

I signed up for an online merchant account and devised a publication strategy: I would release a free issue every week, followed by a paid issue every other week. Subscribers would receive four issues monthly, while non-paying readers would get two. The free editions would act as bait to attract readers.

As the Windows XP launch drew nearer, I intensified my efforts to refine my eBook packed with tips and tricks. I meticulously documented an array of new keyboard shortcuts, tweaks, and options spanning productivity, security, and performance topics.

I strategized to sell the eBook separately but include it as a free bonus with the premium magazine subscription, priced at $19. This way, subscribers would receive even greater value. It seemed like another enticing hook to attract potential subscribers.

I anticipated that some individuals would opt to purchase the eBook alone, while others would seize the opportunity to acquire both the magazine subscription and the eBook.

I would need to put the finishing touches on the eBook and then focus on the magazine and try to have them release all around the same time.

As October rolled around, it was time to unveil the inaugural issue of the magazine. However, I found myself still unsatisfied with the eBook—it required further refinement. Moreover, I harbored doubts about the immediate demand for the premium magazine option. Consequently, I made the decision to release the first issue without any mention of the premium offering. Additionally, I needed extra time to ensure that the merchant functionalities were operational. This involved setting up systems to automatically create user accounts upon subscription, granting access to exclusive features such as reader-only forums. As the sole developer on this project, the responsibility of integrating all these elements fell squarely on my shoulders.

Shortly after the release of the first issue, my mailing list began to grow steadily. Then, fortune smiled upon me: one of my favorite email newsletters announced a raffle to feature a “Site of the Day”. I had entered this contest multiple times before, albeit without a website worth featuring. This time, however, luck was on my side—I emerged as the fortunate winner. With a website ready to drive traffic to, this win held significant promise.

This email newsletter boasted a staggering million subscribers, making the victory all the more significant. I understood the potential it held to drive substantial traffic to my site and potentially boost sales. Upon learning of my win, I refrained from immediately replying to the email. Instead, I knew I had to first ensure that the XPreme website was in top shape and ready to launch its paid offering.

The eBook wasn’t quite ready for primetime either, but that didn’t ruffle my feathers. I shot off an email to the newsletter editors, politely asking if I could defer my prize for a few more weeks. To my relief, they graciously agreed, granting me the breathing room I needed. This turned out to be a godsend as it allowed me to assemble a crack team of teenage techies to propel the site forward.

Drawing from the talent pool of my ThirdGeek comrades, I extended the call for another round and sweetened the deal by promising to PayPal each of them a cut of the subscription sales profits. With my team in place, I tasked one of them with orchestrating a flashy redesign of the website that would also serve as a facelift for the magazine.

Since the magazine was still distributed as executable files containing embedded HTML, we saw an opportunity to synchronize the design of both the website and the magazine for a seamless user experience. After all, since our focus was all things Windows, it made sense for the magazine to be exclusive to the Microsoft environment, at least for the time being.

With the new site design materializing at lightning speed, thanks in part to the whiz-kid leading the charge, we were poised for the next phase of our journey.

With the new site up and running, a cadre of fresh writers on board, and the eBook polished to perfection, it was finally time to unleash the power of that free advertisement over the span of two exhilarating weeks. And what a whirlwind it turned out to be!

In those mere fortnights, our magazine skyrocketed to unprecedented heights of success. What started as a modest subscriber base of a few hundred freebies and a handful of paid patrons at $14 a pop exploded into a staggering 300 thousand free subscribers and an impressive 57 thousand paid loyalists. The influx of subscribers translated into a windfall of cash, with revenue pouring in faster than we could count, and my eBook flew off the digital shelves, tallying over 10 thousand sales at $19 a pop.

Each month, the credit card processing company we utilized would mail out a check. I’d promptly deposit it, divvy up the earnings, and then promptly splurge my hard-earned cash.

Entering high school coincided with my family’s relocation to an even more rural area, prompting me to start anew at a different school and forge new friendships. Fortunately, my financial success allowed me to splurge on a new car and indulge in frivolous pranks. Moreover, my teachers were thoroughly impressed by my Internet publishing venture and were eager to learn more about it.

In the years that followed, I would expand my portfolio with numerous similar publications, embarking on a content creation journey that spanned several decades.

The sudden influx of wealth thrust me into a whirlwind year of sheer exhilaration and wild adventures, a tale we’ll delve into in future posts. But above all, it solidified one truth in my mind: if I could carve out a life where I never had to punch someone else’s clock, then that’s the life I wanted to lead.