In an age when publications are struggling to make the switch from print to online, one online magazine is working on finally making it to print.
BlackListed, a student-run magazine released only on the Internet, hopes to have its first printed issue by the end of the spring semester.
The staff hopes the move to print will help increase readership on campus, said staff writer and UF freshman Alisa Valentin.
The magazine has been around since 2003 and serves as a voice for African-Americans and other minorities at UF. Every Tuesday, the staff adds at least five articles to the publication's Web site, said staff writer and UF freshman Ayana Flewellen.
All 11 staff writers also take photos and edit, said staff writer Brianti Downing, a UF journalism junior. They've tried to keep up with recent technology by introducing video and sound to their Web site.
For now, readership mainly consists of Gainesville residents, but there are readers at local high schools, The Florida State University and Florida Agricultural and Mechanic University.
One article about college students' fascination with Greek life reached readers as far as the state of Washington.
"Being online is so useful," said staff writer Cayla Williams, a UF public relations freshman. "It's easy to update, get access to and reach a larger audience."
The transition to paper, however, has proven to be difficult, Flewellen said, because it's harder to find willing advertisers.
The staff must also learn to change from online writing to print writing. Their articles are not short stories written in Associated Press style, used by most news publications. Flewellen said their articles sometimes reach more than a thousand words.
"BlackListed is a way to be creative," Valentin said. "It's fun creating our own style."
The magazine can be viewed at www.blacklistedmag.com.
