X-Message-Number: 4225 Date: Mon, 17 Apr 1995 09:24:25 -0400 (EDT) From: Charles Platt <> Subject: Writing for Omni To Jim Davidson: There have been a number of articles on cryonics in Omni. I wrote most of them. I don't know why you seem so sure of the potential response to this kind of material; cryonics is an unusual field, and there is no reliable way to predict people's interest. My one-page statement of opinion in Omni reaped slightly more than 1,000 information requests, which was the largest response any single item about cryonics has ever generated (so I am told). Even the Donahue show, with the Alcor phone number on the screen, didn't do as well. The "Omni immortality contest," which offered a free freeze to the winner, generated about 500 written entries and additional information requests. This contest was promoted on local radio stations and network television. I'm afraid the situation isn't quite as simple as you suggest. But thanks for volunteering to write about cryonics. This is always useful. You don't need anyone's permission, however; just go right ahead. I will be happy to talk to you if you need additional facts, or I'm sure Alcor will be willing to cooperate, or any other cryonics organization. Incidentally, Omni is suspending publication till the Fall, and I wonder if they are really going quarterly. They are doing an "online electronic edition," but this seems a poor substitute. I'm afraid the magazine was having difficulties for some time. More to the point, Keith Ferrell, the editor, mentioned to me that he felt my articles had pretty much exhausted the subject of cryonics for Omni. So, you would do better to try elsewhere. If you think you can get an article on cryonics into a magazine such as Discover--well, please give it a try. Mondo 2000 is planning what seems to be a thorough article on the subject, but I don't know of any other large magazine features in the works. --Charles Platt ############################################################## Charles Platt / 1133 Broadway, room 1214 / New York / NY 10010 Phone 212 929 3983 email fax 212 807 6111 Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=4225