Alecia Oleyourryk, the founder and editor-in-chief of Boink Magazine, has confirmed that a publishing agreement has been reached between her publication and Warner Books, a division of media giant Time Warner, Inc.
As reported in Publishers Marketplace in late January, the deal, which includes an undisclosed six-figure advance, grants Warner the worldwide rights to publish a book based on the controversial college magazine.
Boink was launched in February 2005 by a group of Boston area undergrads, led by Oleyourryk, who was then a senior at Boston University’s College of Communications. As the first student run publication in the country to call itself porn, Boink set off a wave of controversy that attracted the attention of major media outlets worldwide. Through a series of appearances on local and national broadcasts including CNN, MTV and fellow BU COM alum, Howard Stern’s Show, Oleyourryk defended Boink and its place in the lives of her fellow college students.
Promoted as “The College Guide to Carnal Knowledge,” Boink is a lifestyle magazine dealing openly with sexual themes that are relevant to college-aged men and women. It features graphic stories, prescriptive advice, and confessions from fellow GenXYers. However, much of the media attention has been focused on Boink’s inclusion of naked pictures of real male and female students, in a variety of sexual situations including straight, gay and bi-sexual.
Soon after it was announced, uproar from a number of students, parents and alumni prompted Boston University’s Dean of Students, Kenneth Elmore, to issue a statement saying, “The University does not endorse, nor welcome, the prospective publication Boink.”
Despite significant opposition, the fledgling publication has been steadily gaining momentum. Boink will soon release an interactive on-line edition, which Oleyourryk predicts will substantially increase the magazine’s reach.
Oleyourryk also points to the Time Warner agreement as further proof of her magazine’s
legitimacy. “A book deal with one of the world’s top publishing houses is just another indication that Boink is more than a passing fad,” she said.
Her new publisher shares her enthusiasm. Ben Greenberg, acquiring editor at Warner Books said, “We [at Warner] are thrilled to have it on our list. Boink represents a unique and edgy concept that we expect will appeal to many of those who dare to explore it. We look forward to exposing it to a large audience.”
Boink: The Book is scheduled to be released in the fall of 2007 as a full-color, oversized trade paperback. Much like the magazine, the book will be made up of contributions from actual college students. Submissions will be solicited through a contest open to students on campuses nationwide. Written fiction, non-fiction, illustrations and photographs will all be welcome.The most interesting contributions as judged by Boink’s editors will also receive a portion of the $25,000 sponsored prize pool.
For more information, go to www.boinkmagazine.com.
