A New Look For ‘The People’s Friend’


Cover of newly-updated 'People's Friend' magazine

If you’ve picked up your copy of the ‘Friend’ this week, you’ll have noticed we have a new look.

What’s changing – and what’s staying the same?

What’s Changing?

The first change you’ll notice is our new cover (above).

It’s glossier, and has a fresh new artwork style.

Artwork inside the magazine which accompanies the fiction has had an update, too.

And although the cover price has increased, we hope you feel it still represents good value for money.

What’s Staying The Same

The fiction in the ‘Friend’ will remain exactly the same.

Every week, we’ll continue to publish seven brand-new short stories and two serial instalments, plus our series and our soap, ‘Riverside’.

The values of friendship, decency, and tradition which mean so much to our readers, will remain at the heart of our stories.

More Than A Magazine

Here on the Fiction Team, we never forget that for our readers, ‘The People’s Friend’ is more than a magazine.

The magazine is a trusted friend, something readers know they can rely on. A comfort in trying times. Part of families’ histories.

It’s also a link to loved ones gone before – so many of us have fond memories of mums, grandmas and aunts who were avid ‘Friend’ readers, and in many cases, introduced us to the magazine.

Memories of my grandma talking about Annie S. Swan nearly fifty years ago still raise a smile, for me.

For so many of us, the ‘Friend’ has been part of our lives for decades.

Evolution, Not Revolution

The ‘Friend’ has been evolving for as long as it’s been in print – 155 years, and counting.

So although your ‘Friend’ may look slightly different this week, the changes are to ‘refresh’ the magazine a little – not to change it.

155 years as the home of great reading continues!

Lucy Crichton

Fiction Editor Lucy is always on the look-out for the very best short stories, poems and pocket novels. As well as sourcing enjoyable content, she enjoys working with our established contributors, encouraging new talent, and celebrating 155 years of 'Friend' fiction!