Magazines I have edited
I consider magazines the luxury vehicle of media. The niche markets and deep appeal, the longer articles - even the glossy paper - make them a pleasure. Editing a magazine, which in my case meant doing every aspect of filling it, was a true privilege.
Summer 2017 Muscatine Magazine - With a quick departure of the prior editor and only advertisements lined up, I had to scramble to put together this issue. I did it in five weeks instead of the normal 12, writing nearly everything myself. (I learned to hand off better for future issues.) With more time to work on them, future issues were better. In this issue, I felt it was a coup to talk to Helen Howe shortly after her husband Stanley, one of the founders of HNI Corp., had died. They had quite a story, and their son made sure I had photos to accompany it.
Fall 2017 Muscatine Magazine - After the rush of the first issue, this one seemed like a breeze! We put a great collection of articles and photo galleries in here. In each issue I tried to touch on human interest (Col. Frost), the arts (MSO), education (career academies) and business (HNI). To have the gallery section (local Holiday offerings) allowed the reader's eyes to rest!
Winter 2018 Muscatine Magazine - Again, I had the ideas and the writers to put together a publication with many elements of the community, this time including an incredible history story from Anne Collier. Did I mention the writing talent locally? I felt lucky for that - and even luckier for the photography talent. Look at Jim Van Winkle's back cover photo. Slow-shutter snow is gorgeous!
Spring 2018 Muscatine Magazine - We were heavy on schools and business in this issue, but the Hyvee story is really more about giving back to the community. The expansion of our Catholic school needed attention, I felt, and the resource navigators had been too well-kept a secret. I regretted not giving more room to the Pollinators, but I figured out a way to at least squeeze in some informaiton about this group that is still creating new public habitats for hummingbirds, bees and butterflies.
Summer 2018 Muscatine Magazine - In this issue, I had the worst and best writers ever to turn in work for us. One story was so beautifully written, I hardly had to touch it. Another had factual errors that I was glad I learned of so I could correct them before press time. A third had correct information but some really contorted sentences. These issues should have made me glad it was an ad-heavy magazine, but then I had the challenge of distilling two stories about the Muscatine-China connection (and eliminating a third). The best part was writing about Contrary Brewing expanding its business. The Mitchells still have that article framed and on display at the brewery.
Fall 2018 Muscatine Magazine - As much as it felt like opening gifts when I first opened other writers' stories, the 6-on-6 girls' basketball book, Maynard 8 Miles, was a story I wanted to write myself. It was my favorite I had the opportunity to tell while serving as editor. Glenda Thielbert and her author nephew were gracious in the telling. Unfortunately, the last time I checked back, the movie had not gotten past the script phase. This issue of the magazine also featured some fun community events including the introduction of the "Over the Edge" fundraiser.