The number of lifestyle magazines published this past year grew to 264 from 206 in 2003, according to the 17th edition of the National Directory of Magazines published by Oxbridge Communications.
Directory editor Deborah Striplin attributed the 28 percent growth to a tendency after the 9/11 attack for people to stay home or close to it. They also tend to participate in activities that increase their sense of self and community.
“It's a carpe diem attitude — a desire to live the good life now,” she said.
Four new lifestyle titles reflect this trend. Cottage Living, for instance, emphasizes the relaxed lifestyle a second home or even a primary residence can bring.
Then there is Vodka Magazine, a guide to urban living, cocktails and cultural trends for the new bohemian lifestyle. Articles within espouse a downtown social life and gear to explore urban living. The Green Magazine is an upscale golf lifestyle publication aimed at a multicultural audience.
Even Canada is witness to this trend. Good Life in Vancouver launched to offer views on how to garner wealth and have fun.
The directory lists titles published in the United States and Canada from September to September.
Another booming category is crafts. Magazines in this niche are up 25 percent to 129 this year from 103 in 2003. Golf titles were up 24 percent to 135 from 109. And political science and politics magazines were up 23 percent to 128 titles from 104.
Meanwhile, management titles declined 25 percent to 95 this year from 127 in 2003. News magazines dropped 24 percent to 57 from 75. History magazines fell 23 percent to 128 titles from 166.
At 971 titles, college student and alumni publications was the largest magazine category in 2004, the Oxbridge directory said. Medicine was next, at 965. Religion/theology had 724 titles published this year.
This year's directory lists 1,477 titles available in print and online formats, up from 1,033 in 2003. Also, the number of Internet-only magazines grew to 168 from 124 last year. The directory lists a total 18,821 titles, of which 1,174 are new.
