23 September 2014

PIP is not your run-of-the-mill magazine

Over the past year or so I've been heartened by the emergence of a new kind of magazine. I'm no longer the "expert" on magazines I once was because I rarely buy them now, but these new kids on the block tend to be non-mainstream, presenting either specialist subjects or with a focus on delivering good quality information in a creative and easy to read format. The icing on the cake is there is no blitzkrieg of advertising. The advertising it contains is relevant and often from shops or companies you might never have heard of before. It's a good way to find out about products that aren't easily found, but you want to know about. 


About a year ago, much later than many of you, I discovered Frankie - loved it and wrote about it. Another good example of this style of magazine is Slow. It's full of information that should appeal to those of us living a slower and more simple life. Now, enter PIP magazine. It's an Australian magazine about permaculture and living a softer, quieter life. It features regular permaculture articles about design, meaningful change and planning, while the bulk of the magazine features the sections Grow, Build, Eat, Thrive, Nurture and Connect. Those sections in this edition contain a wealth of information about lifestyle, sustainable farming, community development, green manures, growing your own meat and no debt housing. I was delighted to see articles from two women I know from afar: Robyn Clayfield and Morag Gamble are both significant figures in Australia's permaculture community. Robyn writes about the ethics and heart of social enterprise and Morag profiles her own home at Crystal Waters and the process of creating that home and garden. She and her partner Evan created their home, with no mortgage, over a period of about ten years. It's an inspiring read. There is also an article about parenting the permaculture way that takes the principles of permaculture and applies them to parenting. It's similar to the post I wrote a few months ago when I applied those same principles to house work.





We've been told for a long time now that print publishing is on its death bed and soon paper magazines and newspapers will be a thing of the past. PIP is not your run-of-the-mill magazine. It's thoughtful, creative and interesting and the ideals it hold close are delivered intelligently and with passion. If print magazines do survive, I think it will be publications like PIP that will breathe new life into the tired old format. Ask for it at your local newsagent or check out their website here. I think you'll like it.

I have not been paid for this post.
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16 comments

  1. I have been to a number of Morag Gambles Library talks. In fact, after the first talk I ever went to I walked straight out and joined a community garden which has given me great pleasure. With people like Morag being featured in PIP I believe that this could be a magazine well worth investigating. Thank you for sharing it with us Rhonda.

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  2. Jean, that's lovely to know why you joined the community garden because of her. My birthday was last week and I got two of my sisters to go in together to get me a subscription to "Slow" magazine and the timing couldn't be more perfect it arrived on my actual birthday. I too like that there are more interesting magazines out there than the gossip magazines however that doesn't't stop me reading all the gossip magazine headlines while passing the newsagent. Regards Kathy A, Brisbane

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    1. Kathy, Happy Birthday for last week.
      I check the headlines at newsagents too - tends to be who is the skinniest celeb.
      I'm a library-holic if there is such a thing, and you can find a very good selection of magazines at New Farm library, and a small comfortable lounge where you can read them. I'm particularly interested in the gardening and simple living magazines. I would expect this to be the case at other Brisbane libraries. In the middle of our summer it's great to pop in there during the worst of the heat. Regards. Jean.

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  3. I might have to pop this on my special to buy list, like you I hardly buy mag's these days but this looks great.. Warm regards, Jan

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  4. I'm loving the new magazines -- the intent and focus, the recycled paper, I'm actually reading magazines again. I recommend Peppermint, Dumbo Feather and The Great Ocean Quarterly.

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  5. I subscribe to PIP too. I love how they link the articles with permaculture principle icons. I borrow Frankie and Peppermint from the library and mum gave me a subscription to Green, Sustainable Architecture and Landscape Design for my birthday. As well as the amazing and require-tattslotto-funds-to-build sustainable housing they have permaculture tips and great articles on innovative, entrepreneurial and green small businesses and ideas. Love the combination.
    kxx

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  6. I signed up for a subscription as soon as I heard about the first issue coming out, and I love it - well worth the extra $.

    Another favourite that I subscribe to is Grass Roots.

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  7. Just discovered PIP last week. Such an interesting magazine, and I am sorry I missed the 1st edition.

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  8. I haven't bought a magazine in a while, as most are not what I consider value for money. I like the sound of Pip and also Slow. I'm in WA so will check out if our local newsagent stocks either one. Thanks for the tip!

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  9. The new magazines coming out these days are so refreshing. Pip looks wonderful.

    Have you seen Taproot, Soulemama's new endeavor? http://www.taprootmag.com/

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    1. Hi Jinger. I've seen the website but not the magazine. I agree, it looks like one of the good ones.

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  10. This looks absolutely wonderful! Is this available in the States?

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    1. I doubt it will be on sale in the US but you could probably buy it on their website and have it posted.

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  11. Totally agree, Rhonda. A lot of my friends (aged early 20s) are moving away from the glossy ad-filled magazines like Cosmo and Cleo (which seem to be all about what you don't have/what you need to make your life better/ etc.) to more thoughtful magazines such as Frankie, Peppermint, and Slow. I stopped buying magazines as I found women's magazines have stopped empowering women, and are about the hard-sell. The one dimensional view of men ("what he's really thinking!" "how to be better than his ex!") were also a tired and offensive format. Having 3 brothers and a wonderful partner, as well as many male friends, I find the way they portray men is limited, innacurate and above all offensive. Magazines like Frankie and Slow, etc. help to showcase some amazing people, stories, concepts, and products, without ever having to make you feel your life is lacking in order to do so. I've never heard of pip, thanks for the recommendation I will check it out!
    Best,
    Bec

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  12. Hi Rhonda, I am chasing the print copy of issue 4 of Pip magazine, I dont mind if its a used copy, I would like to have it to gift to my friend. Do you still have your copy? Thank you!

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    1. Hi Chi, I no longer have any PIP magazines. I pass them on when I've finished with them.

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