1) How long has your magazine been in publication?

Almost nine years

2) What is your circulation?

We have about 25,000 subscribers and a readership of about 30,000.

3) Do you know, or have a good idea of the age of your averag reader?

The magazine is fo girls ages 8 to 14. The average age of our reader is about

12 1/2.

4) Is there an official "mission statement" for your publication?

Yes

New Moon:The Magazine for Girls and Their Dreams is an international magazine for every girl who wants her voice heard and her dreams taken seriously. With girl editors ages 8 to 14 and girl contributors from all over the world, New Moon celebrates girls, explores the passage from girl to woman, and builds healthy resistance to gender inequalities. The New Moon girl is true to herself, and New Moon helps her as she pursues her unique path in life, moving confidently out into the world.

5) In your own words, what is the purpose of your publication and what does it provide for readers?

New Moon is a magazine by,for, and about girls. It's a forum for girls to connect with each other and tell the world who they are. Unlike other magazines for girls, New Moon accepts girls as they are and encourages them to be proud of their individuality. It's unique because girls themselves are in charge, directing the content of the magazine based on their own experiences.

6) Do you feel that the overall content of your publication accurately reflects this purpose? Why or why not?

Yes, I do. Our Girls Editorial Board chooses the cover art, brainstorms article ideas, chooses letters to print, and edits everything that goes into the magazine.

At least 70% of each issue is written by girls.

The letter departments give girls a chance to interact with each other. "Dear Luna" is our letters to the editor department, where girls sound off on all kinds of topics that interest them. "Voice Box" is where girls voice their opinions on hot topics, like the U.S. presidential election, censorship, and animal rights.

Other letter departments that contribute to our mission of gender equity are "How Aggravating!" and "Howling at the Moon." "How Aggravating!" is where girls speak out about what they see that's unfair in theor lives. "Howling at the Moon" is where they comment about things they see that are already fair.

Our regualr features also contribute to our purpose. "Global Village" is an article by a girl in a non-North American country all about her life. "Women's Work" profiles a woman doing an interesting job. "Science Side Effects" is an experiment in each issue, sometimes presented as a cartoon. "Body Language" is an article in each issue about some body issue-menstruation, acne, body odor, body image etc.

The special feature articles are usually about girls doing cool things, and the girls themselves write the articles. For example, in our upcoming "Technology and Nature" issue, we have an article by a 12 year old girl spelunker(caver).

7) Do you feel that most publications aimed at the adolescent female market in the U.S. reflect their own mission statements? Why or why not?

It's hard to answer this question because I'm not sure what other publications' mission statements are. I think a lot of teen magazines now are paying lip service to empowerment and girl power, while still undermining that very concept through the articles and advertisements they run. It's ridiculous to tell girls that they're ok just as they are and then to run ads for products that will somehow make them more "acceptable."

8) What is the main source of funding for your publication?

Subscriptions. We are advertising free.

9) Do you think funding sources play a central or marginal role in determining the contect of teen publications and web sites?

Central. Part of the reason we don't have ads in New Moon is because the Girls Editorial Board understood the contradictions of telling girls they are ok just as they are and then having ads to get those same girls to buy products based on some perceived lack in their lives. But also, if something in your magazine displeases th companies buying ad space, they may very well pull their ads from the magazine. If that is your major source of revenue(and it is for most magazines), your magazine could fail as a result. So I think the system is set up to discourage boldness in content. You can't have anything too controversial or you're in danger of losing your revenue source.

10) Do you feel that online publications are less restricted as a result of needing less funding?

Yes.

11)Have you noticed any major trends in publications or websites aimed at the femasle adolescent market?

I've noticed that Seventeen and Teen magazines like those have become increasingly overt in covering sexual topics. But I find that, although the articles are somewhat graphic, the main point is still how to get and keep a guy. The information is still not focused on what girls need to know about themselves. I think magazines are following the trend to sexualize younger and younger girls. Our culture is doing that and the magazines are contributing.

12)Do you feel that your magazine is involved in a "third wave" of feminism in the United States?

Yes. Our readers care deeply about issues affecting our world. They're not afraid to stand up for what they believe in. They are activists for social equality. It's inspiring to read a debate between two of our readers on the significance of the World Trade Organization ("Dear Luna") or to hear their views on Title IX. These girls have not yet been told that they shouldn't speak their minds. And we're hoping that by giving them this forum they'll learn how important they and their views are so that thay can stand up for themselves in the face of sexism later in their lives.

**This interview was conducted and made available online with the signed consent of Deb Mylin. I think that her views and descriptions enhance the information I have presented elsewhere on this site.

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