Interview with Magazine Editor Mark Whiteley by Wendy Burt-Thomas

Mark Whiteley is an editor, writer, videographer, and award-winning photographer. He is the editor of Slap, a ten-year-old skateboarding magazine that offers profiles, travel articles, pro interviews, industry news, how-tos, and product and music reviews for teen and older skateboard aficionados. Mark's work has been featured in Slap as well as in Copper Press, Stance, The Kids' How to Do (Almost) Everything Guide, eHow, and Sunset magazine.

Q: How would you recommend that a writer new to a magazine approach the editor?

A: Writers I haven't worked with before will usually call or e-mail to express an interest in writing for the magazine. I'll ask them to send me an example to read of something that would be suitable for the magazine. If the writing's decent, I'll get back in touch and ask if they have a story idea they want to work on. If they have something in mind, I'll ask them to write it, and if not, I'll ask them to write a short piece for one of the magazine's regular departments. A short or a report — I always start with something small. If they do a good job, I'll try to give them something longer the next time. Most of the writers who freelance regularly for the magazine started that way, and we've been working together for a couple of years now.

For music reviews, people generally send in a sample review they've had published in a newspaper or magazine, or online or in a college paper. Or sometimes writers say they have an interview lined up with a music group and, judging from the kinds of things the magazine covers, they thought it would interest me. They send the piece in, and if I like it, I'll try to use it. But if I can't use it right away, I'll try them out on a CD review.

Q: For features (тематическая статья) and interviews, do you ask writers to accompany their articles with photographs?

A: To get a foot in the door, it's always a good idea for writers to send in photos with a feature idea. At least in Slap, most of our feature article s include photographs, because for a lot of readers it's more important to see the photos than to read the words. So being able to shoot a basic photo or knowing a photographer who can help you out is a big plus. Once you've shown what you can do and editors start to look to you as a regular contributor, they'll start assigning a staff photographer to work with you to get more in-depth coverage. But if you can present an entire idea for a story, including at least one photo, it's really helpful. It's good to have the whole package, even if it's a small one. Music reviews and interviews don't need to be accompanied by photos – usually the record label will provide artwork or we'll send a staff photographer on an interview.

Q: How do you decide which feature articles to run?

A: I look for a writer with a deep knowledge of the field, who's been around or who's done a lot of homework. It's generally a good idea for a writer to propose a hot topic — especially with the teenage market, which sometimes needs the latest thing to hold their attention — but for m e it's more important that the writer has an understanding of the finer points of the subject and an understanding of the culture. Readers look to writers to learn what's going on, for insight, and they don't like to be tricked or told something that's not true. As far as music reviews go, I look for someone who can describe the feeling you get from a piece of music, who can convey that. I don't want a report here — it shouldn't be an exercise in superlatives. Being able to talk about feelings and, again, having experience with the type of music are more important. Plus being able to write with flair.

Q: Do you have other suggestions for writers who want to approach (попробовать себя) a new publication (не публикация, а издание)?

A: When writers contact me, I assume they're getting in touch because they've studied and know my magazine and like it above other similar ones. You really need to study publications before you approach them to see the subtle differences between them and to learn what kinds of articles they publish. Then you're more likely to make a connection.

(http://www.netplaces.com/creative-writing/getting-published/interview-with-magazine-editor-mark-whiteley.htm)

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