PRINT MEDIA: A Swell idea in a dying industry

I read somewhere this week that print media is dead. The fact that I read it in a once-prominent print publication is apparently beside the point, but it definitely got me thinking. I don’t agree with the statement, at all. I’ve always been a big supporter of print media (*disclaimer: when that particular print medium is willing to move and evolve with the time in which they exist). Oh, and as a side note, did you know that physical books out-sold e-books for the first time ever last year? *waves arms frantically* This is exactly why I want to take a moment to talk about my favourite local print publication, Swell Magazine. Also, no, I wasn’t asked to write this post and it’s by no means sponsored content. This is a shout-out to an amazing local publication and small business that is flipping killing it right now, and just a few of the reasons why you should get on board too.

You’ve probably seen the cover floating around town. It’s a brilliant bright magenta with a collection of classic Aussie ice-creams gracing the cover. It’s called Swell and it’s all about our little town. Self-described as “A print magazine celebrating Newcastle and its surrounds”, Swell is run by two fierce women, Rebecca Geraghty and Kristy Coady.

Designers by trade (duh, you just need to take the tiniest peek inside to see that the magazine is a flipping work of art), the co-editors and their amazing team are all about celebrating the things that make Newcastle such a glorious place to live. It comes from a place of heart, passion and eye-catching design. Like I said, the girls are killing it. It’s passionate people like this who are proving, on a daily basis, that print is not dead. In fact, it’s so much alive that you just need to take one quick look at their stockist’s list and the numbers speak for themselves.

Swell is a magazine you not only want to read, but it’s a community you want to be a part of. It’s fun, fresh and vibrant and brings an energy to the local magazine scene that Newcastle has been craving in recent months. It’s a place where local business is celebrated (Scrubba feature in the debut issue, as well as Olive Tree Market’s decade of art and design championship), and local haunts and happenings are discussed like you’re metaphorically having wine and cheese with your best pals celebrating all that Novocastrian life has to offer.

Basically, I just wanted to give a shout-out to a local small business/publication and simultaneously state the fact that print is very much alive and kicking. You can find it all over town, actually. Where? Oh, just click here.