Text and Cover Designs by Tony Ward, Copyright 2024
.
The Selection Process
.
In the world of print and digital media, a magazine cover is more than just an introduction; it’s a bold statement. A cover serves as the magazine’s handshake to potential readers, a visual ambassador that communicates the essence of the issue. Choosing the right image is a critical decision that can determine whether a magazine gets picked up or passed over. This is true for online webzines like TW as well.
A magazine cover has less than five seconds to grab a reader’s attention. On social media or even the internet even less. In that fleeting moment, the image must convey a story, evoke emotion, and spark curiosity. It sets the tone for the content within and defines the publication’s identity. Whether it’s a striking portrait, an artistic still life, or a dynamic action shot, the image must resonate deeply with the target audience.
Equally important is the alignment of the image with the magazine’s theme. For example, a travel magazine may choose an expansive landscape to inspire wanderlust, while a fashion publication might highlight a model wearing bold, trend-setting attire to reflect the latest styles. The image must seamlessly integrate with the coverlines, typography, and overall design that’s been evolving over the years creating a cohesive visual narrative.
Beyond aesthetics, the image must also provoke an emotional response. I have discovered over the past 10 years of publishing homepage covers, they often feature elements of surprise, intimacy, or drama—elements that compel readers to take a closer look. A captivating gaze, a powerful moment frozen in time, something erotic or controversial can intrigue our viewership and encourage them to explore further.
Practical considerations also play a role. The image should be high-quality, with a resolution and composition that accommodate text overlays without losing impact. It must stand out on crowded google searches and in digital previews, where competition for attention is fierce.
Finally, cultural relevance and sensitivity are paramount. A cover image should reflect the sites left leaning societal values and avoid misrepresentation or controversy that alienates readers. Striking the right balance between boldness and respect ensures a positive and lasting impression.
Choosing the perfect magazine cover image is both an art and a science that I’ve practiced diligently over the years. When executed thoughtfully, it becomes a gateway to the stories within—a visual promise of inspiration, insight, and discovery. In the end, the right image doesn’t just catch the eye; it captures your memories and inspires you.
Lady Liberty has long been a symbol of what America aspires to be. The statue was a gift from France to celebrate democracy, representing the mutual commitment of both nations to liberty and freedom. Her torch signifies enlightenment, while her crown, with seven rays, represents the seven continents, signaling an invitation to people worldwide. At her feet, a broken shackle symbolizes the breaking free from oppression and tyranny, a core principle of American ideals.
The statue has inspired Americans and immigrants alike, serving as a testament to a land built by people from all walks of life. The words inscribed on her pedestal, taken from Emma Lazarus’s poem The New Colossus, famously declare, “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.” Her message has been one of compassion, inclusivity, and unity—a reminder of the strength that diversity brings.
As the nation approaches the upcoming election, Trump continues to spew lies, physical threats and hate speech while Lady Liberty’s ideals feel shaken. Increasing political polarization has created deep divisions on key issues like immigration, racial justice, and freedom of the press. The rise of nationalist rhetoric has challenged America’s longstanding commitment to diversity and openness, casting doubt on the country’s willingness to be a haven for those “yearning to breathe free.” Policies that restrict immigration, rhetoric that fosters division, and attacks on democratic institutions strike at the very foundation of the values she represents.
At the same time, disinformation and attacks on the integrity of elections make Lady Liberty’s torch seem dimmer. The trust in democratic processes is essential to her symbolism as a guide to freedom and justice. When voting rights are restricted or when public trust in elections is eroded, the country moves further from the democratic ideals she was built to uphold.
In this crucial moment, Lady Liberty’s symbolism serves as a call to action for Americans. Protecting her ideals means renewing commitments to fairness, inclusivity, and democracy itself. This election offers an opportunity for Americans to stand for a vision that honors diversity, reinforces freedom of expression, and reestablishes respect for human rights. It’s a chance to ensure her torch continues to shine for future generations.
Lady Liberty reminds us that freedom requires vigilance and courage. To honor her, Americans must resist apathy and remain engaged, whether through voting, standing against injustice, or promoting unity over division. She stands as a guidepost not only for a free society but for a compassionate one, welcoming those in need and providing opportunity for all.
As America stands at this crossroads, the Statue of Liberty’s message is as relevant as ever. Will the nation rise to defend the ideals she symbolizes, or will her torch flicker in the face of division and distrust? The answer lies in the hands of every American voter, each with the power to keep the light of liberty alive.
Tesla, the electric vehicle company, was founded in 2003 by engineers Martin Eberhard and Marc Tarpenning, who aimed to build a practical and desirable electric car. They envisioned creating electric vehicles (EVs) that would challenge the fossil fuel-driven automobile industry by offering cleaner, more efficient alternatives. Their focus on high-performance EVs, starting with the Tesla Roadster, laid the foundation for Tesla’s future success.
Elon Musk joined Tesla in 2004, leading a Series A investment round, which gave him significant influence in the company. Although Musk was not a founder or the original inventor of Tesla, he quickly became the face of the company, primarily due to his larger-than-life public persona and financial backing. Musk became the CEO in 2008 after a leadership dispute, and his vision for Tesla’s expansion into mass-market EVs, energy storage, and autonomous driving technologies helped catapult the company into global recognition.
Musk gets much of the credit for Tesla’s invention because of his pivotal role in scaling the company, his visionary leadership, and his ability to attract media attention. His relentless pursuit of innovation and bold public presence have overshadowed Tesla’s early founders, often leading to the misconception that Musk invented the company.
Elon Musk, the billionaire entrepreneur behind Tesla, SpaceX, and X (formerly Twitter), is widely known for his groundbreaking contributions to technology and space exploration. In recent years, however, his growing political involvement has raised concerns about the potential implications for U.S. democracy. Musk’s public endorsements of political figures, controversial commentary, and apparent desire to influence policy have led some to speculate about his deeper political ambitions. While it is natural for any individual to express political opinions, Musk’s influence as a tech magnate poses several risks to the democratic process.
One of the most glaring concerns is Musk’s access to vast financial resources and media influence. With his net worth fluctuating between hundreds of billions, Musk holds immense sway over markets, technology, and now, political discourse. His purchase of X has granted him a direct line to millions of users, amplifying his voice in the public sphere. As the platform’s owner, Musk controls the content that gets promoted, silenced, or even manipulated, potentially skewing political narratives. This raises questions about the role of billionaire-owned media in shaping elections and policy, as well as the dangers of unchecked influence on the digital town square.
Additionally, Musk’s political ideologies appear to shift based on personal interests, leading to fears of opportunism rather than a genuine commitment to any particular cause. While he has presented himself as a free speech advocate, many critics argue that his approach prioritizes personal benefit over democratic principles. Musk has been accused of using his wealth and influence to resist regulatory frameworks, as seen in his clashes with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and environmental agencies. His disregard for rules that apply to others may set a dangerous precedent, encouraging an anti-democratic ethos where the wealthy elite can operate above the law.
Furthermore, Musk’s frequent, often erratic social media outbursts could destabilize public trust in democratic institutions. His ability to sway markets with a single tweet is already well-documented, and this influence could be equally dangerous in the political sphere. Should Musk actively seek political office or further his influence through lobbying and endorsements, there is a risk of undermining the democratic process by concentrating too much power in the hands of one individual.
In sum, while Elon Musk’s entrepreneurial successes are commendable, his growing political influence and ambitions pose real risks to U.S. democracy. By wielding outsized economic power and media control, he could distort the political landscape, threatening the foundational principles of fairness, transparency, and accountability.
Artwork by Alexandra Rouvet Duvernoy. Copyright 2024
Text by Arthur Beckman, Copyright 2024
.
You May Not Be Interested in Politics
.
You may have already seen numerous articles and heard numerous pronouncements in the media about the importance of the upcoming election. About how democracy itself is at stake and about how one of the candidates, a convicted felon, is said to be completely unfit for public office – even by many members of his own party and his former associates.
So what?
Does any of this really affect your life directly? Is it worth your time to leave your home or workplace for an hour or two and wait in line to vote?
It has been said in some places that “choosing the lesser of two evils is still evil,” and this statement has been taken quite seriously at times. The third-party presidential candidate Ralph Nader is reported to have said, “There’s not a dime’s worth of difference” between the two major political parties. Really? Tell that to the person who needs an abortion in a place like Oklahoma or Texas. Tell that to the person who would lose health insurance if the Republicans had their way and overturned the Affordable Care Act. Tell that to the schoolteacher prevented from assigning books that tell the truth about American history and culture. Tell that to the perfectly legal immigrant from Latin America who Trump would deport simply because of his hateful xenophobia and that of his followers.
Guess what? One of these parties is not “the lesser of two evils.” One of these parties is demonstrably evil. It wants to deny the vote to people of color and is actively putting rules in place to do just that. It wants to deny reproductive rights to women. It spews hate towards immigrants, the LGBTQ community, and anyone who isn’t a white Christian nationalist. It is indifferent to the problem of climate change and will even deny that it is a problem. It doesn’t care about democracy. And it turns a blind eye to the unfitness of its presidential candidate: someone who provoked a violent mob to try and overturn the 2020 election. Someone who has vowed to prosecute political opponents, deport immigrants, and heavily tax imports (with consumers paying the extra cost). Someone who has every intention of functioning like an absolutist dictator if elected. This is no exaggeration. It is well documented.
The other party, the Democrats, isn’t perfect by a longshot. It may be a lot of things, but it isn’t evil. It has no plans to do the despicable things the “grand old party” wants.
This election may be a dramatic and devastating turning point in American history. And here’s the choice: We can soundly reject the movement that wants to “make America great again,” by which it means to roll back the social and economic progress of the past half century and hand more power to billionaires and purveyors of intolerance. Or, we can sit by idly and let that movement have its way with policies and laws that reach right into our bedrooms, schools, and pockets.
Should you care? I had a wonderful teacher in graduate school whose name was Marshall Berman. One of my favorite quotes of his was this: “You may not be interested in politics, but politics is interested in you.”
—
80 million voting-eligible citizens did not turn out in 2020. In 2022, 131 million voting-eligible citizens didn’t turn out. If every Democrat got one non-voter to turn out, it would be a wipeout for the GOP. So please help to assure that we have overwhelming Democratic turnout in November.
• Do you know someone who is not registered to vote? Then please visit this site: https://vote.gov/ and help get them ready to vote in 2024.
Voter registration can be done online in 38 states, plus DC. It’s quick and easy.
And, if you think you are already registered to vote, please check that your registration is current and active. Here’s where you can do that: https://www.usa.gov/confirm-voter-registration
Arthur Beckman is a political scientist and advertising copywriter whose research explores the intersection of marketing and politics. This is Arthur Beckman’s first contribution to this blog.
In Virginia, prison inmates do not have Internet. I am on my seventeenth year as a prisoner of the Virginia Department of Corrections (VDOC), so I have gone over sixteen years without Internet. I have “email,” sort of, through a company called JPay. Each email costs me 25¢ and it costs the same for people to write to me. It can take a week to get to the recipient!
In my institutional job I make a princely sum of $ 32.40 a month! Just over a dollar a day. That would have been good pay in the 1860s! It’s less than I made in my first high school summer job back in the 1960s!
As most of you already know, I’m a professional photographer/writer. I can say that I am a professional because from the mid-1970s I’ve been published in a number of magazines and newspapers, with over 1,000 magazine articles to my credit. Since 1986 I’ve authored/coauthored/ghosted more than two dozen books. My books and articles have been published in German, French, Spanish, Italian, Japanese, Chinese, Russian, Serbian, etc. I’ve written for several websites and this blog. I’ve worked as an editor of magazines and books, and as a fact checking consultant for National Geographic Books and Eastman Kodak Company.
Until 2007 I made a very good living from my writing and photography. My capsule biography was included in ‘Who’s Who in the World’ and in ‘American Artists’ since 1981. I write under Bob Shell and my main pseudonym, Edward Lee.
In 2003 my comfortable life was destroyed by a false arrest for a crime that never occurred. I wasn’t tried and convicted until 2007. The Innocence Project has taken my case, but it’s slow going because they have so many cases.
I’ve continued writing from prison, contributing op-ed articles for The Roanoke Star newspaper and articles about dinosaurs for Prehistoric Times magazine, and in 2019 I self-published the book ‘Cosmic Dance,’ which has sold reasonably well worldwide via Amazon despite having no promotional budget. Like most books, sales dropped off after the initial surge, and I only sell one or two a month now.
Most of my writing prior to my imprisonment had been nonfiction. In 2021 I began working on my first novel, ‘The Adventure of the Abducted Actress,’ a genre detective story featuring the Harley Stone Detective Agency (HSDA). I invented the HSDA and most of its cast of unusual characters in 1973. A few short stories I wrote about the HSDA were published in limited-circulation “fanzines.”
This first HSDA novel was completed in September of 2023 and sent to the company that assembled my first self-published book. In early November they mailed me a bound author’s proof. I didn’t get it. In mid-November I was transferred to a different prison.
When the proof never came, the company emailed the proof to my attorney as a PDF file. He had it printed and sent a printout of the proof to me as legal mail because we cannot receive PDF files. On arrival that proof was read and confiscated. (Violating attorney-client confidentiality as well as VDOC operating procedure.) Then in August of this year the bound proof mailed last November finally showed up here. But it was immediately confiscated.
To add insult to injury, that proof had been sent to the VDOC’s Publication Review Committee. They’d put it on their Disapproved Publications Listing. (I am in good company. Dr. Anthony Fauci’s latest book is on there.)
The Disapproved Publications Listing contains hundreds of books and magazine. The very existence of the Publication Review Committee and Disapproved Publications Listing are unconstitutional censorship.
Yes, my book has sex scenes, but there is nothing in my book beyond what’s in dozens of books in the institutional library here.
The librarian said if he had to remove every book with scenes like mine, he’d empty out the library.
I have argued until I’m blue in the face that an unpublished manuscript is not a publication by their own definition (An item that can be purchased from a vendor or subscribed to). They have given me nonsense responses to my grievances, even claiming that the book had been for sale since 2019! It is not on sale anywhere because it has not been published due to their interference.
I will not allow the book to be published until I have had a chance to correct the proof, so, by refusing to give me my author’s proof, the VDOC has blocked me from publishing my book. I am losing money every day the book is not for sale.
The Grievance Coordinator says I must take the matter into court. I don’t have the money to hire a lawyer to push this case. I need help! If anyone reading this knows of an organization or group that would help me defend my constitutional rights, please let me know.
Article One, Section Twelve, of the Virginia Constitution says “Any citizen may freely speak, write, and publish his sentiments on all subjects.” I may be in prison, but I am still a citizen! ?
The VDOC is violating my constitutional rights under the Virginia Constitution and the First Amendment to the United States Constitution.
I haven’t joined any authors’ organizations because my institutional job pays me so little. It barely covers essentials at our grossly inflated commissary prices.
I hope someone can offer me help or direct me to someone who will help.
Thank you!
Mail address:
Robert E. L. Shell # 1201280
Dillwyn Correctional Center
P. O. Box 670
Dillwyn, VA 23936-0670
Mail address for legal mail:
Robert E. L. Shell # 1201280
Dillwyn Correctional Center
C/O: VDOC Centralized Mail Distribution Unit
3521 Woods Way
State Farm, VA 23160
You can email me by signing up at http://jpay.comusing my name, Robert Shell and state ID number, 1201280
.
About The Author: Bob Shell is a professional photographer, author, former editor in chief of Shutterbug Magazine and veteran contributor to this blog. He is currently serving a 35 year sentence for involuntary manslaughter for the death of Marion Franklin, one of his former models. He is serving the 17th year of his sentence at Pocahontas State Correctional Facility, Virginia.
On September 16, 2024 Shell’s release date got moved up six years due to new “mixed charges” law to February 2, 2030. It was 2036.
