Create Your Journal

Creating your own journal or newsletter

If you have received a mailing from NAPA with the “Monthly Bundle” (a collection of journals and papers that members have submitted for distribution), You may think, say, these are interesting— how can I create a journal piece of my own? How you proceed depends on what word processor you have… or perhaps you want to use a typewriter, or even just hand-write it. Okay, you choose— here are several ways to get started. We’ll step you through how to create a publication, using whatever tools you have. Each of these samples are designed to be printed on both sides of a simgle sheet of paper, then folded in half to create a four-page journal.

Choose your tools:

(Click on an icon to open the file)

Handwriting, Part 1

Handwriting, Part 2

Typewriter

MS Publisher

MS Word

PagePlus, Part 1

PagePlus, Part 2

WordPerfect, Part 1

WordPerfect, Part 2

Would “Amateur Journalism” be fun for you?

Do you enjoy using a computer?

One of the enjoyable and creative things to do with a computer is desktop publishing.
You can design and produce a publication that reflects your interests, your creativity. It can be as simple or complex as you like—you control it all.
There is a hobby organization that will distribute your publication at no charge other than membership dues. It is the National Amateur Press Association.

Do you like to write for enjoyment?

Your writing can be circulated to readers at no charge other than membership dues.
One way is to produce your own amateur journal, as described above.
Another way is to use the Association’s Manuscript Bureau, which will list and publicize your writing among the members in the hopes of interesting a publisher-member to publish it in his/her amateur journal.

Do you have a printing press, perhaps?

Some people do, with type and printer’s ink, just like in the old days. That’s another way to create an amateur journal, and when this Association started in 1876, it was almost the only way to do so. But times change.

Is this hobby for you?
Read on…

You can find out, without cost and without obligation, whether this hobby would fit with you and your interests.

The Association offers a free three-month Trial Membership.

Each month you will receive a 6×9-inch envelope containing a copy of every amateur journal produced that month. You will see the variety of amateur journals produced, the different genres of writing, the design and layout that publisher-members create, and so on.
You will also get one issue of the Association’s quarterly journal, The National Amateur.
Then you can decide whether to continue on as a Regular Member, or you can just say “No thanks.”
To sign up as a regular member, or to get your free Trial Membership, just choose your method below.