Has Anyone Here Ever Started Their Own...

[eelkat]

Hi, I was wondering has anyone here ever started their own small press magazine?

I was considering doing so, but was not entirly sure how to go about it and was wondering if anyone knew of any places I could contact for more info, or if anyone here has ever done it and could offer some advise on where I should start?

I'm looking to start a small press fiction magazine for local/regional/Maine coast writers of sci-fi, fantasy, adventure, and horror. Probly 4 issues a year with 5 or 6 stories each.

I don't need much help with editing and layout stuff, that's the type of thing I do for a living anyways, but the "business" end of it is a bit of a loss for me.

My questions:

#1) where do I find a reliable and high quality printer, for low runs (500 to 2,000 copies per issue)?

#2) where do I find a magazine distributor to get the magazine into book stores? and how to I get on their list?

#3) Will I need any permits, liscences, tax forms and such before I get started?

#4) how do I deal with paying writers and staff?

any suggestions or links to helpful websites would help much.

Thanks!