Meet the Magazine: Walnut
Bath-based Walnut is an independent magazine focusing on feel-good health articles, mouth-watering recipes, food producers and practitioners in complementary medicine. We spoke to Art Director, Dermot Rushe, who gave us a little insight into how Walnut magazine came to be what it stands for and where he gets his inspiration from...
In five steps, can you summarise the path that led you to start your magazine?
- I'd been designing magazines for publishing companies for almost 20 years and had a longing to self-publish my own and be my own boss.
- Then, I brainstormed the subject matter idea.
- Went on to truly immerse myself in the indie magazine scene.
- I contacted fellow indie magazine publishers in Bristol to ask for advice
- I then began crowdfunding to help raise the necessary funds to launch the magazine. My initial crowdfunding was unsuccessful so I resorted to funding everything myself.
Where does your magazine's name come from?
The name Walnut works on various levels for a health magazine, it's a nut obviously which is a healthy fat and good source of protein. It's a flower remedy which is a nod to the complementary medicine aspect of the magazine. Plus it is a tree which couldn't be more natural.
What does your magazine celebrate?
Walnut is an independent magazine split into three sections – health, food and people, packed with informative and inspirational articles, mouth-watering recipes, plus fascinating stories about the people who champion the best in food production. All wrapped up in a clean and contemporary design with beautiful photography and illustration. It’s something to keep, collect and cherish. It looks good and even smells good, a bit like delicious food really.
What are the best and worst parts about making a magazine?
Best parts of making it, all of it. There are some less desirable bits but it's all good really. In a time of technological overload, printed magazines, specifically indie magazines are a very welcome pause and time to reflect on something lovingly created for everyone to enjoy.
Why do you love physically, printed magazines?
Best parts of making it, all of it. There are some less desirable bits but it's all good really. In a time of technological overload, printed magazines, specifically indie magazines are a very welcome pause and time to reflect on something lovingly created for everyone to enjoy.
Any top books, magazines, blogs you can't stop reading at the mo?
I've just finished reading A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara and I regularly have my nose in a Bristol indie mag like Lagom, Another Escape, Cereal or Ernest Journal.
Where is your favourite place to read a book or magazine?
My favourite place to read is at home in bed.
Big thanks to Dermot for answering our questions! We've been stocking Walnut magazine since their first issue. It's something to keep, collect and cherish. It looks good and even smells good, a bit like delicious food really - yum! So, if you're into health and wellbeing and care about the food you eat, where it comes from and how it affects your body, pick up your copy of the latest edition online or from the shop.