Lobster (magazine)
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Lobster is a twice yearly British magazine (June and December) focussing on parapolitics. The last edition published was Winter 2005/6.
The magazine's philosophy is:
- "If you generally accept the government line, that there is a "national interest", and believe what you read in the newspapers, then Lobster is probably not for you."
Lobster was launched in 1983 by Robin Ramsay and Stephen Dorril. The name was suggested by Dorril, who had previously wanted to call a band 'Lobster'.
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[edit] Format
Since issue 27, the magazine has been A4 size, desktopped and unillustrated. It costs £3 per issue.
When first launched, it was photocopied, A5 size and produced on manual typewriters. After issue 17, the publication became phototypeset.
[edit] The Dorril/Ramsay split
After writing the much-admired Smear! Wilson and the Secret State (about plots against Harold Wilson), the two parted in circumstances that remain unclear.
Dorril claims Ramsay was suffering from a mid-life crisis and wanted more recognition.
Ramsay claims that Dorril was too busy with other research projects (notably, co-authoring Honeytrap with Anthony Summers) to contribute to the magazine: Ramsay claims he therefore took Dorril's name off the magazine and the two have not spoken since.
Lobster is now edited and part-written by Ramsay, from his home in Hull.
[edit] Circulation and reception
Lobster's circulation is thought to be fewer than 1,000 copies of any issue. It is largely bought via subscription but can now be bought across the UK in the US book-chain Borders.
Lobster is widely-respected among journalists, who often use Lobster as a source and Ramsay as an advisor for difficult stories.
[edit] Content
Lobster is eclectic, and will feature items spanning a wide range of subjects from modern history and current events. Occasionally, these turn out to be major news stories.
Lobster was the first publication, for example, to publish details of the Colin Wallace/Clockwork Orange affair.
It also follows new developments in 'old' cases. For example: years after the event, it was found that when Timothy McVeigh blew up the Alfred Murrah building, he had also destroyed thousands of records of servicemen from the 1990 Gulf War and a TOW antitank missile that the Government was storing in a locker several floors above the building's daycare center.
[edit] Contributors
A wide range of writers contributes work (unpaid) for publication, mainly because of Lobster's reputation and its refusal to follow mainstream news agendas.
These include:
- Alex Cox
- Anthony Frewin, assistant to the late Stanley Kubrick.
- Bernard Porter, Professor Emeritus of Modern History at Newcastle University
[edit] Regular Sections
- Parish notices - namechecks, thanks and updates on contributors
- Re: - a round-up of news, mainly on 'fringe' issues (see catchphrases and quotes, below)
- View from the Bridge - an editorial section, on the centre pages, written by Ramsay and consisting of short pithy observations on the news or discussing little-recognised aspects of recent developments and history
- Historical notes - A 'long view' of events, written by Scott Newton.
- Tittle-tattle - the self-effacing title of John Burne's column, which is actually quite well informed
- Reviews - mainly of books, but occasionally of other media. A variety of reviewers contribute.
- Letters
[edit] Catchphrases and quotes
- "As denounced in the House of Commons" - Lobster on itself.
- They're not all lunatics on the fringe - an occasional reminder used by different authors
- "The last dribble of Thatcherism down the trouserleg of British politics" - Robin Ramsay, on Tony Blair
