[Nfb-editors] Advice for new editor - back to Bridgit

[Gail Smith]

Bridgit,

Thank you for your suggestions.  You gave me several things to consider 
about our newsletter.  We are in the beginning stages of this new adventure.

Gail

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Bridgit Pollpeter" <bpollpeter at hotmail.com>
To: <nfb-editors at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Wednesday, March 14, 2012 4:13 PM
Subject: [Nfb-editors] Advice for new editor


> Robert and Ms. Smith,
>
> First, really pay close attention when editing. Make sure everything is
> grammatically correct and formatted properly. I recommend incorporating
> a visual element to your newsletter as one, it is the intention of
> Federation publications to be distributed outside the NFB, meaning
> sighted people will read it as well, and two, it brings a professional
> and creative element to a newsletter. It can be a graphic and/or
> pictures, and it can be as simple as adding color and playing with font
> and placing of title.
>
> I also recommend you find a creative approach allowing your newsletter
> to stand out and be different. When I was editing the Nebraska
> Independent, I used more essay-based articles rather than straight
> reporting-like articles. We receive info in so many communication
> formats these days, I wanted a more personal aspect to news and events
> happening within the Federation as well as outside. I wanted to
> entertain and enlighten as much as inform.
>
> I also started selecting themes for each issue. For instance, one issue
> would revolve around alternative skills, another, around specific
> legislation, etc. This helped contributors narrow their writing topics,
> and it brought a cohesiveness to the newsletter.
>
> Don't be afraid to speak up even with the affiliate board. A newsletter
> is not produced by one person alone. Affiliate leaders must be involved
> in the process. In my experience, many people wanted a newsletter but
> few wanted to assist in any capacity. Be vocal about concerns you have
> and what direction you hope to take your newsletter in.
>
> Lastly, have fun with it. If you only have five articles for one issue,
> don't stress, you only have five articles that issue. If you have more,
> wonderful. Oh, and despite what others say and think, no professional
> publication requires a senior editor to ghost write or fill in material
> with their own writing. This is not the job of an editor; trust me, I
> know this as my degree is in writing. If you choose to use a piece you
> write, great, but an editor shouldn't have to "fill" up space by writing
> articles just because there is not enough material. And if a person
> doesn't have the time, or inclination, to write their own article,
> again, it's not the job of an editor to ghost write an article for said
> person.
>
> You may have to be creative when editing some articles as not all
> contributors will be writers. Make it clear that as editor, you have the
> right to cut, revise and edit in any way you see fit. If a submission
> just requires way too much editing on your part, my opinion is do not
> use it. Again, as an editor, it's not your job to use a poorly written
> article and have to basically rewrite the entire piece.
>
> So, it's a big job but can be rewarding if you have the drive and
> determination. Hopefully you have a couple of assistants. Have fun, be
> creative and know what you want as editor.
>
> Sincerely,
> Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter
> Read my blog at:
> http://blogs.livewellnebraska.com/author/bpollpeter/
>
> "History is not what happened; history is what was written down."
> The Expected One- Kathleen McGowan
>
> Message: 1
> Date: Tue, 13 Mar 2012 21:11:22 -0500
> From: "Robert Leslie Newman" <newmanrl at cox.net>
> To: "0editors list" <nfb-editors at nfbnet.org>
> Subject: [Nfb-editors] New editor & upcoming newsletter
> Message-ID: <092e01cd0187$c23fb460$46bf1d20$@cox.net>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>
> Hey all you Ed I tors
>
>
>
> We have a new editor on the list and she --- Gail Smith --- is cranking
> up to start a newsletter for the Alabama Affiliate. So we need to be
> here for her!!! How about posting a quick note and give her your best
> tip on how to run a successful newsletter!
>
>
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