Magazine publishing is one of the popular means of distributing literature and various forms information for public viewing. Everyone has a stack of old magazine issues lying somewhere in the house.

Since the very first periodical that bore the word “magazine” on the cover came out in London in 1731, magazines have gone through a complex evolution throughout the years – from their printing process to the range of topics that they cover.

Magazine publication schedules vary depending on the type of information or issues they cover. For instance, a publication that focuses on news and current events come out weekly or biweekly. Others that focus on specific concerns may come out monthly, bimonthly or even quarterly.

Different kinds of magazines cater to different readers. What makes a successful magazine publishing is how its publication catches the targeted readership. Fresh ideas, layouts and the writing contents are some of the important factors that can make a magazine appealing.

No matter what your interest is, there sure is a magazine that specifically highlights your needs. Lifestyle, travel, automotive, music, celebrities, current events, sports, health – the categories of publications these days are practically boundless. However, they usually fall under the following classifications.

General interest magazines

- Tailored to embrace topics which a common man would actually like to read.
- Often easy to read, and deal with light and interesting subject matters.
- May focus on a particular theme throughout, or cover many different ones.
- Usually a lot of pictures and images to accompany the articles.
- Include among its goals: entertainment, product endorsement and promote readership viewpoints.

Scholarly or academic magazines
- Present information focusing on the educational, investigative and scientific.
- Articles are written by professors, scholars, and specialists or researchers in different fields of learning.
- They are often issued less frequently than any other kinds of publications.
- There is little or no advertising present at all.
- Format used in disseminating information is in a serious fashion, bordering on the textbook form.

Trade or professional magazines
- Published for a specific readership such as company managers, businessmen and others in the field of trade and industry.
- Usually not available to the general reader; distribution for some publications is strictly through subscription.
- Most articles are written by specialists or consultants.
- Mostly issued weekly or monthly to enable the readership to catch up with the fast changes in their field.

News magazines
- Commonly distributed on a weekly basis to keep the readers abreast with news and current events.
- Provide the readership with a singular source of news and other topics that are in demand for the time being.
- Articles they carry are written by editors, journalists and other subject experts.

Give more in-depth and detailed information regarding the context surrounding the significant events in the society, as contrasted to a newspaper.

Sensational magazines

- Inclined to creating a stir or controversy.
- Designed for attracting the attention of readership; brandishing flashy and intriguing headlines.
- Often carrying stories about celebrities and other articles that stir the curiosity of the readers.
- There are usually more pictures in them than written stories.

Magazine publishing still remains as one of the most effective means of distributing information. With varied readership, it comes as no surprise that almost every possible human interest is covered.