And here's the third and final interview with the editor of one of the UK's leading diving magazines (with a few comments about what he thinks of the workshops I ran back then):
"I’ve got plenty of people I can send to destinations, it’s the stuff I don’t know I want that I’m looking for. For example, buying a house in the Red Sea. This is the work that needs researching with interviews and time. The stuff that is hard work is the most valuable, and this isn’t reflected in what you get paid. You do it because you enjoy writing, because you enjoy the “work.”
I get a lot of diary type articles, or articles that have lots of, and then, and we did, or stuff that details the journey there, getting of the plane, arriving at the resort. Start somewhere else on the trip, don’t list everything chronologically, you don’t have to mention everything.
Don’t send me anything you have sent elsewhere, I’m looking for exclusivity. From that I can build up a relationship with the writer, the readers identify with certain writers, they’re a signature of the magazine.
I’m not sure if this course you’re doing will help. I already get a lot of submissions, sometimes I think my life would be easier if I had less. Most people who get involved in this are self starters, they don’t need a course. But I suppose what you’re doing will provide coaching, like fast tracking for people who might get there anyway.
Letters are a good way to get yourself known. If the subject is interesting I might ask the writer to expand for a back page - or maybe they have written too much and with some editing I can use it as a back page.
I’m always looking for cover shots, even when I go to film libraries I sometimes can’t find what I’m looking for."
Once again, if you've done your research (always read several back copies before you even think of writing something up for submission or a proposal) you'll be able to work out which magazine this editor is from.
Keep Writing...
Brendan
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