Magazine Layout to Newsletter Style in MSWord and GoogleDoc

The Runestone is the official newsletter of the Barony of Western Seas, a chapter of the Society for Creative Anachronism in Hawaii. I took over the production of this newsletter starting in 2016, using various open-source desktop publishing software.

As with most non-profit groups, volunteers are depended upon for the function and form of the group. As much as I love producing a magazine-style periodical for the group, time is a resource that is in much demand... 

And my primary workstation died in the middle of producing Volume 5, Issue 2. I had 4 days until distribution, and no way to replace my workstation in that time. So I popped open my netbook and rebuilt the newsletter using Microsoft Word and GIMP with files from backup and emails.

The issue re-work was well received, and several commented that they liked the layout. It will also be easier to transfer the work (template, fonts, and such) to another person should the need arise. Not everyone within the group here knows or understands desktop publishing software and concepts - but just about everyone has Word on their desktops or are using the Microsoft-365 service (as I did). 

Tools

- MS365 - Word (online)

- GIMP

- GIMP (online collaboration and transfer)

- GoogleFonts

January 2019 - The entire project has been moved into GoogleDocs for ease in transfer and collaboration as the service is free. 

 

March 2019 - The last issue of the Runestone that I produced using GoogleDocs with GoogleFonts. Transfer of template to a new officer of Western Seas is pending.

You can view past and current issues of the Runestone online here.