FAQs
Changes to website & subscription model
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Why have you updated the website?
AThe main reasons we have updated the website are:
1) To fix a number of bugs/imperfections that affected the running of the old website, the service we are able to provide customers and your user experience
2) To put in place an updated subscription model (see below)
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Why has the subscription model changed? Is my subscription affected by these changes?
AOur previous subscription package allowed subscribers full access to digital versions of our entire archive for the duration of their subscription. Needless to say that this archive is now much more extensive than it was five years ago.
We need to monetise the content we publish, so we have made the decision to amend our subscription offering for new subscribers. At any given time, subscribers will have access to the current issue and 12 back issues (3 years’ worth from the archive).
IMPORTANT NOTE: access to the full archive will remain for existing subscribers until further notice. We are committed to honouring the subscription package you signed up to.
We have introduced a subscriber benefit – valid for existing and new subscribers. You are entitled to 10% off single issues and collections. Log in to your account before you shop to see the preferential pricing.
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I am a long-time subscriber but my subscription has recently lapsed. Will I be able to retain access to the full archive?
AYes. We have no intention of penalising subscribers who have forgotten to renew. Please subscribe on the website, then contact us via info@theblizzard.co.uk and we can amend your subscriber privileges.
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Why has the 'Articles' section been removed from the site?
APreviously, we published all articles on the website with a monthly cap of 3 articles per month per user.
We intend to continue to offer free content to all users but in a different way:
- We will supply sample editions of every issue. These can be found in the ‘Samplers’ section. Initially we will publish sample editions from 2020 (issues 36-39). Other sample editions will be added in the new year.
- We will publish selected articles from The Blizzard, The Squall (our ‘breezy brother’) and original writing in the ‘Writing’ section
Subscriptions & Orders
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How do I know which issue will be the first in my print subscription?
AWhen you order you have the ability to choose which is the first issue you will receive – either the current issue or the upcoming issue.
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How do I check the expiry of my subscription?
ALog in and click on ‘Account’. Within your account, click ‘Subscriptions’ to see your expiry/renewal date. If there is no date showing, please email info@theblizzard.co.uk.
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How do I renew my subscription?
ALog on to your account and click on ‘Subscriptions’. Click the ‘Renew’ button to pay for another 12 months at any point during your subscription.
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Why should I subscribe?
ASubscribers get the best deal – 17% off the single issue price, access to the digital versions of back issues, and a 10% discount on single issues and collections.
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I’m a subscriber. How do I get subscriber discounts when shopping?
AMake sure you’re logged in!
If you are logged in, you will automatically see the preferential pricing.
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How long will my subscription to The Blizzard take to ship?
AIf you have chosen ‘current issue’ when signing up to a print subscription, your first issue will be dispatched in the next mailing batch, which means (depending on where you are in the world) it will be with you in around a week or two (but please note that global pandemics severely affect the postal service).
If you’ve chosen ‘next issue’, as soon as these become available you will be included in the subscription mailing and be among the first to receive your copy.
New issues are released in March, June, September and December.
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How do I cancel my subscription?
AYou can do this by logging on your account, clicking on ‘Subscriptions’, and clicking on ‘Cancel’ next to the relevant subscription. If you pay by Direct Debit, we recommend that you also cancel your instruction with your bank.
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I need to check something on my order history – what should I do?
ALog in and click on ‘Account’. Within your account, click ‘Orders’ to see your order history. If the information you are looking for isn’t there please email info@theblizzard.co.uk.
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I've moved house or need to change my email address - how do I change my details with you?
AYou can do this by logging into your account. Choose ‘Addresses’ to update your postal address and ‘Account details’ to change your email address.
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What formats can I download The Blizzard in?
AIssues 0-38 are available in PDF, EPUB and MOBI formats. From issue 39 we will only be supplying PDF and EPUB files.
We have decided to stop producing MOBI files for a few reasons:
- They are a proprietary format (and therefore not universally accessible)
- MOBI is no longer used as Amazon’s default file format for Kindle, so it is becoming less widely used
- We have experienced some problems in the formatting and layout of our publications when creating MOBI files
EPUB files are the universal file format for eBooks and can easily be converted into MOBI files for most reading Kindles and handheld devices. You can find more information on how to do this here
If you need any assistance accessing or converting digital files, please email info@theblizzard.co.uk
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Where can I access my digital downloads?
AThey appear in the ‘Downloads’ section of your account.
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How long will my order take to ship?
ANon-subscription purchases of The Blizzard will be dispatched within five working days.
Deliveries to the UK typically take two to four days from the date of despatch to reach the customer.
Overseas delivery times are naturally longer – deliveries to Europe take five to seven days to arrive, non-European deliveries can take up to fifteen days.
At present, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, deliveries are taking longer than usual, with deliveries outside of Europe taking up to 10 weeks. If you would like a digital version of your purchase while you wait for the physical copy/ies to arrive email info@theblizzard.co.uk
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What should I do if I think my order has been lost in the post?
APlease take into account the length of time it may take to ship your order to you.
In the first instance please email us, and we will be able to ascertain which batch your order was dispatched in, and when we would estimate you should receive delivery of it.
Other
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Can I download The Blizzard through the iTunes store or on Amazon?
AIn short – iTunes ‘no’, Kindle Store and Google Play ‘yes’.
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I can not get my download to work on my iPad/Kindle/tablet device/iPhone/abacus - help!
AIn order to download the ePub version of The Blizzard on your IOS device (iPad, iPhone, iPod), you will need to have iBooks already installed before attempting the download in Safari. You can get this from iTunes.
On Android devices, due to the wide variety of web-browsers and app compatibility, you can download any number of applications to open the ePub version.
Each Kindle also comes with its own email address, and you can email the mobi file directly to your device. From issue 39 we will no longer by supplying mobi files. Please read the ‘What formats can I download The Blizzard in?’ FAQ above for a full explanation of this.
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What are the release dates of future issues?
AAs a quarterly publication, we will release Issues of The Blizzard in March, June, September and December each year (no later than the 10th of the month). Precise dates will be announced on the website and our social media channels nearer the time for each Issue.
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I want to write for The Blizzard - what should I do?
AThe Blizzard was set up was to offer writers the chance to publish articles on subjects about which they were passionate that wouldn’t have been published elsewhere, either because the topic or the approach seemed too esoteric, or because they required space unavailable in more mainstream publications. A few sketchy suggestions of generic topics won’t cut it: this should be something you’ve been burning to write.
Please bear in mind that as a quarterly publication it is unlikely that we will be able to feature many more than about fifty to sixty writers in any one year, and with interest in writing for the Blizzard continuing to be high, competition is fierce. By sheer weight of numbers the vast majority of pitches will inevitably have to be turned down. Sorry about that.
With that in mind, here are a few helpful guidelines to pitching:
1 – Pitches should be brief, ideally no more than 250 words long, and should set out the subject matter, the approach to be taken and why the writer is the correct person to write the piece.
2 – It’s also worth bearing in mind that we may be at least 3 months away from having space to feature your article, so hot takes on current events or reactions to anything currently in the news are unlikely to be successful. That’s not to say all pieces need to be timeless, but bear in mind that you might not be featured in the very next issue available.
3 – We suggest that anyone wishing to write for the magazine should first read The Blizzard to get an understanding of its style and subject matter. Non-subscribers can access sample editions on this very website. It’s also worth checking that it’s not a subject we’ve covered before.
Pitches should be directed to the editor by emailing info@theblizzard.co.uk.
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I want to draw for/submit photos or other media to The Blizzard - what should I do?
AAs above – send your ideas and examples of work to the editor via info@theblizzard.co.uk.
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Can I reproduce/syndicate The Blizzard articles on my site?
AAnyone wishing to host/reproduce content from The Blizzard should email us in the first instance. Wholesale copying or reproduction of our content, or hosting of electronic copies, without our express permission is not allowed.
If you want to selectively quote our pieces, feel free (although please provide an attribution, and a link to the relevant article if it is on our website).
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How do I advertise in The Blizzard?
AWe are flexible, creative and happy to look at packages encompassing space in the magazine as well as opportunities to reach thousands of people via our podcasts and social media channels. If you or your company are interested in some cost-effective advertising, get in touch with us and discuss your advertising requirements by emailing info@theblizzard.co.uk.
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What is that animal on the front cover of Issues Zero to Four? A dog? A bear? A beaver?
AOur cover image is Soccer Dog; adapted from a series of sketches by Woz at the Kingsley Motel, Manjimup, Western Australia.
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Can I get work experience/an internship at The Blizzard?
AThe Blizzard is written by a disparate co-operative of writers spread around the globe. As a result we are generally unable to offer writing-based work experience. The production, administration and marketing of The Blizzard, however, is overseen by a London-based sports media agency, who are always keen to hear from enthusiastic individuals interested in working in sports media. Email info@theblizzard.co.uk, attaching a CV, if you want to find out more.
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