Launching a print magazine in January 2011 was a strange business decision.

The economy was in tatters, circulations were in sharp decline, and every day brought stories of layoffs and closures. But while bigger titles struggled, a number of fleet-footed indie magazines have flourished.

I launched Delayed Gratification with a group of friends who shared a love for print magazines and original journalism – and it’s been encouraging to discover we’re not alone. It’s hard work but it’s immensely rewarding, and there’s a real sense of passion, cooperation and innovation in our industry.

These are odd but exciting times for magazines.

Rob Orchard | Director, The Slow Journalism Company; Publisher, Delayed Gratification