Self (magazine)

''Self'' (stylized in all caps) is an American online magazine for women that specializes in health, beauty, and style. Part of Condé Nast, its print edition had a circulation of 1,515,880 and a total audience of 5,282,000 readers, according to its corporate media kit in 2013.Self Magazine Media Kit
January 2013. Retrieved May 2, 2008. ''Self'' is based in the Condé Nast U.S. headquarters at 1 World Trade Center in New York, NY. In February 2017 the magazine became an online publication.

History

''Self'' was founded in January 1979 by Phyllis Starr Wilson, who served as the editor-in-chief for the publication until January 1987, when she was named the founding editor. At its inception, the magazine began with many of the same philosophies it retains today, including health, fitness, nutrition, beauty and happiness, although the categories then were not as specifically named in the magazine. In her opening remarks in the first issue, Wilson wrote the following to the readers:

In 1979, cost of the magazine was $1.50 an issue or $10 for a one-year subscription. By 1983, the circulation for ''Self'' reached one million readers with its September issue.Dougherty, Philip

''New York Times'', April 3, 1984. Retrieved April 28, 2008. However, by 1986, the news-stand sales were stagnant. This may have been because other mainstream women’s magazines also began adding sections about health and fitness, so ''Self'' needed to redefine itself on the market. In January 1987, when Wilson became the founding editor, Valorie (Victoria) Griffith Weaver took over as editor-in-chief, but resigned within a year.

In July 1988, Anthea Disney took the position of editor-in-chief and made it her goal to refresh the magazine’s image. In the one year she held that position, she reworked the content by seeking out renowned authors such as Ann Hood, Susan Allen Toth, Alice Adams, Helen Mohr and Elizabeth Benedict to supply the magazine with fresher content with a higher degree of journalistic integrity. She revised their cover strategy by replacing airbrushed models with more natural-looking pictures of women in everyday surroundings. It was also at this time when the colors of teal and magenta were adopted for the magazine.Blau, Eleanor
"Self Magazine's Editor in Chief Resigns
, ''New York Times'', August 22, 1989. Retrieved April 28, 2008. Disney said in a ''New York Times'' article: "We deliberately chose colors not being used on other magazines". Between 1986 and 1989, the newsstand sales increased by 3 percent and the subscriptions increased by 22 percent."What's new in magazine redesign; concocting a formula of paper, type and colors"
''The New York Times'', January 1, 1989. Retrieved April 28, 2008.

''Self'' was nominated in 2008 for a National Magazine Award (ASME) in the "personal service online" category for their annual ''Self'' Challenge, an interactive three-month weight-loss program that allows readers to log their workouts and watch videos, record their meals using an online nutrition diary, share recipes and tips, and communicate with the online community as they track their progress. American Society of Magazine Editors, March 19, 2008. Retrieved May 1, 2008.

In the April 2014 edition (released in March), ''Self'' published a story mocking marathon runners wearing tutus. The runner in the associated picture was in fact a brain cancer survivor and was running for charity. After news of the offense spread online, the magazine made an apology.

In December 2016, it was announced ''Self'' would become online-only after their February 2017 issue was published.

Editors-in-chief

* Rachel Wilkerson Miller (May 2022 - present)
* Leta Shy (May 2021 - May 2022)
* Carolyn Kylstra (December 1, 2016 - May 2021)
* Joyce Chang (May 1, 2014 – December 1, 2016)
* Lucy Danziger (June 2001 – April 2014)Barron, James
"Boldface Names"
''The New York Times'' June 7, 2001. Accessed April 28, 2008.
* Cynthia (Cindi) Leive (August 1999 – May 2001)Finkel, Rebecca
"Leive joins Self magazine as is new editor in chief"
. ''Media Life Magazine''. July 1999. Accessed April 28, 2008.
* Rochelle Udell (September 1995 – June 1999)
''New York Times'', June 23, 1999. Accessed April 28, 2008.
* Alexandra Penney (August 1989 – September 1995)"Self Magazine Editor Named"
''New York Times'', September 12, 1995. Accessed April 28, 2008.
* Anthea Disney (July 1988 – August 1989)
* Valorie Griffith Weaver (January 1987 – April 1988)
* Phyllis Starr Wilson (1979 – January 1987)

Joyce Chang was named editor-in-chief of ''Self'' in April 2014. Previously, Chang served as executive editor of ''Cosmopolitan''. Prior to that, she was executive editor at ''Marie Claire'' and has held editorial roles at ''People'', ''People StyleWatch'', '' Lucky'', ''The New York Times Magazine'', and '' Allure''. She graduated from Columbia's School of Journalism.

References

External links

''Self'' magazine

{{DEFAULTSORT:Self (magazine)
Monthly magazines published in the United States
Online magazines published in the United States
Defunct women's magazines published in the United States
Defunct Condé Nast magazines
Fitness magazines
Magazines established in 1979
Magazines disestablished in 2017
Magazines published in New York City
Online magazines with defunct print editions