I write today with sad news. After a long period of trying to find a route forward, I have decided to close our independent journal, Ernest. As many of you will know, Ernest weathered the initial part of the pandemic relatively well thanks to your incredible support. The subscriptions you bought from us and your investment in our two crowdfunding campaigns have been a lifeline, allowing us to bring out two more issues and a special collector’s edition of issue one.

However, in the following years it has become increasingly difficult to sustain our independent journal. I wrote to readers and subscribers earlier this year to explain that we had paused production while we work out a route forward for the company. At the time, I felt optimistic that we could bring Ernest back in some form. I explored finding a new owner or investor, establishing a long-term brand partnership or choosing a digital-only route.

Unfortunately, none of the pathways came to anything and with rising production costs and the personal impact of the cost of living with a young family to support, I find myself unable to give the magazine anywhere near the time and investment it needs to get back up and running. And so, with a heavy heart, I have decided to close the journal. In hindsight, I should have called this much sooner so I wholeheartedly apologise to all of you who have invested in subscriptions and have not received journals beyond issue 11.

For subscribers who have issues owing, I have created three options (below) to resolve your subscription. Once you’ve had time to consider, please email me with your choice – along with your full name, address and order number, if you have it – and I will get these posted out to you. For those who would prefer a refund, please email me and I will endeavour to complete this within the next 4-8 weeks.

Once again, thank you for joining us on this journey in independent publishing. We hope yourcollection of Ernest journals continue to bring you joy for many years to come. It’s been a real pleasure and the fulfilment of a lifelong dream to be able to create them for you.

Best wishes
Jo

Founder & Editor
Ernest

Photo: Daniel Alford, Greenland for issue 4

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Back issues & digital archive (option 1)

Choose from any of our available back issues (worth £10). We will send you the same number of issues as is remaining on your subscription, plus one extra for good luck. We will also send you a digital archive of our entire Ernest back catalogue in PDF format (worth £50).

The Slow Traveller (option 2)

A signed copy of this hardback companion to your collection of journals (worth £20) written by editor Jo Tinsley, designed by art director Tina Hobson and featuring many of our regular contributors. The Slow Traveller is an invitation to travel lightly, to embrace a sense of curiosity and make enduring connections, and to explore the world at our own pace. Each chapter focuses on an element of the slow travel mindset alongside a mode of travelling or type of destination such as embracing spontaneity on road trips, sharing food to connect more deeply with people and place, embracing the unknown on long-distance rail trips, the unique perspective of roaming by water, the restorative experience of chosen solitude and the energising benefit of slow travel within cities.

Flourish – A Year of Living Well (option 3)

Flourish (worth £14) is an anthology of ideas and inspiration for living well, compile from oh magazine. If you enjoy the more reflective elements of Ernest, then this is the option for you. Over 196 beautifully illustrated pages, you will discover ways to think more positively, nurture your relationships, nourish your body, feed your mind and appreciate the simple joy of rest.

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Questions about your subscription & the closure

How do I let you know how I would like to resolve my subscription? Please email me with your preferred option and any other information (such as choice of back issue). Please also confirm your full name and address and, if you have it, let me know your order number (this makes it easier for me but isn’t essential). I will then endeavour to send your order within the next 4-8 weeks.

What are the timescales for resolving my subscription? I will post back issues of Ernest immediately. Please allow 4-8 weeks for copies of The Slow Traveller, Flourish and PDFs of the Ernest back catalogue. Please get in touch with your choice before the end of the year. After 31 Jan 2024, I plan to close the company and will not have the option to resolve things for you personally.

I would like to complete my collection and have issues missing. We will working to clear our warehouse and home office and expect to find limited numbers of sold out issues, prints and one-off products. Please subscribe to our newsletter if you haven’t already, and we will announce any interesting finds. Those searching for sold out issue 11, there are a handful of copies at Pics & Ink.

Is there anything I can do to help? We would very much appreciate your support over the coming weeks. We will shortly be launching our closing down sale and it would be wonderful if you could share the news with your friends, family and followers. The income from our closing down sale will go towards resolving refunds for subscribers and archiving our issues digitally.

I run a business, is there anything I can do? If you run a business and can see an opportunity to use copies of Ernest as a customer gift, sales incentive or to place in the rooms of your accommodation, please get in touch as we would be happy to offer a significant discount for bulk orders.

I have another question about my subscription. Please get in touch and I will be more than happy to help. I ask for your patience and kindness in correspondence. I have chosen to resolve orders for subscribers before closing the company as I want to honour the support you have given the journal over the years, but please understand that it’s only me responding to messages and I also have two part-time jobs. I will work through the latest orders and enquiries each Monday and will keep you informed about your subscription. Thank you for your understanding.