Is Northridge Publishing Closing Down?
It's a question I've been getting in my inbox a lot lately from concerned readers: Is Northridge Publishing closing down? From all outward appearances, it's certainly looking as if the publisher of Scrapbook Trends, Cards, Cricut, and the Create Idea Books is no longer a functioning publisher.
The company, which was formerly a paper publisher charging $15/issue for each of its magazines every month, went fully digital beginning with the August 2013 issues of its magazines and began offering an all-access pass for $9.99/month that bought access to all six magazines' digital issues.
The most obvious sign of trouble is that October passed without any magazine issues being published by the company, despite a production schedule for its magazines which calls for the publication of issues every month for all of its active titles. In September, Northridge published only 3 issues instead of its usual 6. The September issues of Scrapbook Trends, Cards, and Cricut magazines were all titled as "Best of" issues, largely featuring apparently recycled content.
In addition to the lack of new magazines in October, no new contributor calls for content (such as layouts and cards) have been issued by the company in 5-6 months. Deadlines currently posted on the company's website are for June 1st and July 1st submissions. The company's social media accounts on Twitter and Facebook have also not been updated since very early this year with anything but promotions for Northridge's Cartridges & More division.
Of the dozen names listed on the masthead of the August issue of Scrapbook Trends (the September issue contained no masthead), at least five of them are no longer with the company according to their LinkedIn profiles. (Several more were unable to be located on LinkedIn, leaving their status unknown). A survey of LinkedIn profiles associated with the relatively small company found a total of 11 profiles with Northridge employment ending in 2014. The majority of those departures were in a short window in February and March - the same time period during which I was let go from my own contract position with Northridge as editor of Creative Retailer magazine.
Anecdotal reports on social media indicate that at least some subscribers were charged for October subscriptions, however, despite the lack of content delivered. The company's customer service phone number has been disconnected since early this year, leading to frustration on the part of customers trying to cancel subscriptions or get refunds for unauthorized charges who are unable to contact the company. As a result, the company has an "F" rating with the Better Business Bureau and a Facebook page has been started for complaints called Northridge Publishing Ripoffs.
For those wishing to request refunds, a source connected with the company told Scrapbook Update that "every cancellation and refund request that is being sent to support@northridgepublishing.com is being honored immediately."
Despite the visible signs that the company may no longer be operating as a functional publishing entity, no formal announcement of a closure or change in its operating status has been made by Northridge or its parent company Octavo Media. The company's CEO has declined comment to Scrapbook Update through an intermediary.
