The Idler (Canadian magazine)

The Idler
Former editorsGerald Owen
CategoriesLiterary magazine
FrequencyMonthly (irregular)
Paid circulation4,300[1]
Total circulation
(1993)		8,000[1]
FounderDavid Warren
FoundedJanuary 1985
First issue1985 (1985)
Final issue1993 (1993)
CountryCanada

The Idler was a Canadian literary magazine, published from 1985 to 1993.[2] Named after Samuel Johnson's 18th-century historical essay series The Idler, the magazine included poetry and fiction but was mainly dedicated to essays. The Idler described its ideal reader as "a sprightly, octogenarian spinster with a drinking problem, and an ability to conceal it."[3]

Initially a bimonthly,[4] The Idler became a monthly magazine in 1989.[5] However, its publication schedule was often disrupted by its chronic financial difficulties.[6]

  1. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference bowsout was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ "After 225 years, a Toronto freelancer resurrects The Idler: Picking up Dr. Johnson's torch". The Globe and Mail, January 15, 1985.
  3. ^ "Small magazines: a readers' guide to the best". The Globe and Mail, October 1, 1985.
  4. ^ Nick Auf der Maur, "Little literary magazine packs loads of pleasure". Montreal Gazette, June 19, 1987.
  5. ^ Bruce Blackadar, "The Idler revs up writing in drive to monthly format". Toronto Star, June 15, 1989.
  6. ^ "Idler a good friend, but not too dependable". Toronto Star, October 31, 1992.