Falling Forward

FreeFall magazine takes its own freefall to realize new potential

By Laura Underwood

Discovering potential is something of a specialty for Lynn Fraser. She saw it in FreeFall magazine, a literary magazine featuring poetry, fiction, and non-fiction, and now looks for potential in its writers.

Founded in 1990 as an outlet for Alexandra Writers’ Centre Society (AWCS) members to publish their work, FreeFall eventually opened up to writers outside of the society, but Fraser knew it could do more. Now the magazine’s managing editor, she’s busy making things happen.

Fraser and editor Micheline Maylor have elected for independence from the AWCS, and FreeFall has become its own publisher. The AWCS’ main focus is on writing as opposed to publishing. In order to gain funding to propel FreeFall forward, the split became the only option.

As a result of its new-found independence, the magazine is undergoing major changes. Circulation and subscriptions are set to increase, and the magazine will double in size, stuffing more literary treasures into every issue. It is currently biannual, but plans to go for three or even four issues per year are in motion.

To grow the magazine’s new potential, FreeFall staff actively encourage unpublished writers to submit. “With us, you get five shots at it!” says Fraser, referring to their practice of passing a submission through the entire editorial collective before selecting or rejecting it. “Quality writing will always rise to the top,” says Fraser, so the collective ensures all submissions are given the same chance during selection. “We are looking for authentic voices,” she notes.

Dedicated to 85 percent Canadian content, FreeFall sticks to its roots, offering an outlet to both Canadian and international writers. Its poems and stories stay true to traditional forms to remain accessible to both the literary community as well as to the general public.

As if all this progress isn’t enough, FreeFall’s web presence has also had a facelift with a brand new site (www.freefallmagazine.ca) recently unveiled with more content, including a new blog, on its way. Media technologies such as YouTube will also bring the magazine to readers worldwide by broadcasting events and author readings.

FreeFall’’s Summer 2008 contest issue was released on May 1st, and featured readings by award-winning writers such as Vicki Goodfellow-Duke and Judy Galbraith. With their launch events and other forward-thinking efforts, the aim is to bring together a community. “There is something for everyone between Freefall’’s pages,” affirms Fraser. After all, “in this day and age with all the hustle and bustle, we need to spend a little time smelling the roses.”

The magazine is available in independent bookstores across Canada, as well as at www.freefallmagazine.ca.

Events

Thursday, May 22, 2008

"Chef" Book Launch

Pages Books on Kensington, Calgary

7:30 pm

Join Jaspreet Singh as he launches his first novel "Chef."

Thursday, May 29, 2008

Calgary Association of Freelance Editors (CAFE) AGM

McNally Robinson Booksellers, Calgary

4:45 to 6:00 pm: Light supper and business meeting.

6:00 to 6:45 pm: Tour of the store and discussion about the publishing business and how McNally Robinson works with local and national authors and publishers.

7:00 pm: Stay for a poetry reading at McNally Robinson. Go to www.mcnallyrobinson.com/calgary_events to find out more.

$5 for CAFE members, $15 for non-members. RSVP, mail your cheque, and order your meal by Tuesday, May 20! Contact Julie Wright: julie.wright@shaw.ca, 730-6505.

Saturday, May 31, 2008

Calgary Education Fair

9:00 am - 4:00 pm

Thorncliffe Greenview Community Centre, Calgary

Tickets are on sale now for the third annual Calgary Education Fair and Southern Alberta Homeschool Conference presented by the Homeschooler's Guide magazine.

Contact: Theresa Kondrat Bochulak, Event Coordinator at 1.403.464.9498 or 1.866.904.9498
Email: info@calgaryeducationfair.ca
Website: www.calgaryeducationfair.ca or www.albertahomeschool.ca

June 2 - 4, 2008

MagsU

The Old Mill Inn & Spa, Toronto

Everyone is welcome at Mags U! Whether one works on consumer, b-to-b, association, custom, farm, religious, scholarly or online publications, large or small, find inspiration and insight at Mags U… the “big tent” conference now in its 17th great year. This year’s line-up of speakers is our best ever! More than 40 top Canadian and U.S. magazine leaders will help you stay sharp and on the cutting edge of an industry in transition. Great for self-growth or to further company objectives. With 38 seminars to choose from. For more info and to register, see: www.magsu.com

June 4 - 6, 2008

MagNet

89 Chestnut Street, Toronto

MagNet is Canada’s annual public policy, professional development and networking conference created in response to your demands for an accessible, flexible, centrally-located event. Get ready for 3 action-packed days of seminars, events and networking.

There are more than 50 sessions to choose from along with receptions, awards ceremonies, lunches, dinners and Annual General Meetings over the course of the 3 day conference. MagNet ends with the National Magazine Awards at the nearby Carlu on Friday evening. For information and registration, visit: MagNet's website

June 6 - 8, 2008

Editing in the Global Village - The Editors' Association of Canada National Conference

Shaw Conference Centre, Edmonton

Conference highlights include:

• Keynote speaker Ruth Kelly

• Sessions on cross-cultural editing, translating, and editing comic books, and film subtitles

• Writing and editing in exile discussion with Jalal Barzanji, an accomplished Kurdish poet and editor

• Distinguishing fact from fiction on the internet at the Senior Editors' Roundtable

• Closing plenary session on "Editing in the Global Village: Whither--or Wither?--Canadian Editing"

• Wine and cheese reception

• Banquet reception with special guests Ted Blodgett, Edmonton's poet laureate, comedian and television personality Barbara North, and the presentation of the Tom Fairley Award for Editorial Excellence

For information and registration, visit: www.editors.ca/conference

June 19 - 20, 2008

Magazines West

River Rock Casino Resort, Richmond

Now in its sixth year, Magazines West is Western Canada's premiere event for established and emerging magazine industry professionals. Two days of motivational and meaningful professional development seminars, panel discussions and networking opportunities lead to one of the magazine industry's most-anticipated events — the WMAF's Gala Dinner and Awards, hosted by the brilliantly funny Steve Burgess. The Gala Dinner and Awards celebrates the best in Western Canadian magazine publishing including the winners of the annual Western Magazine Awards competition and the Lifetime Achievement winner.
Magazines West is brought to you by two like-minded organizations: the BC Association of Magazine Publishers (BCAMP) and the Western Magazine Awards Foundation (WMAF). Magazines West is a must for all current and future industry professionals.

More info at: www.magazineswest.com

July 2008

SFU Summer 2008 Publishing Workshops

Simon Fraser University, Burnaby

The SFU Summer Publishing Workshops offers participants a chance to learn from and work with more than 100 of Canada's top editors, writers, marketers, designers, publishers, and new media moguls.Participate in real-world industry simulations. Work in state-of-the-art computer labs using up-to-the-minute software and technology. Learn by participating in courses tailored to reflect the evolving industry landscape. The SFU Summer Publishing Workshops attract participants from across Canada and around the world. In 2008, more than 100 faculty, and approximately 450 participants, will come to SFU Vancouver in the downtown core for 38 workshops in books, magazines, editing, and design. This is the largest line-up ever and developed from publishing industry needs.

Explore the website for details on specific workshops, dates and times, here.

Job Opportunities

Art Director - Avenue Magazine, published by RedPoint Media

Location: Calgary
RedPoint Media requires a person with a proven track record in producing innovative magazine pages. You have the ability to create exceptional design solutions under tight deadlines. You are exceptionally detail and deadline oriented. You possess an excellent sense of typography. You have proven team management skills to create Canada’s largest city lifestyle magazine, Avenue. A strong leader that can execute ideas, you are equally comfortable being team player. You enjoy challenges and thrive in a deadline driven environment. You have substantial magazine design and print production experience and an excellent knowledge of the Adobe Creative Suite. You have at least five years experience in magazine art direction, or equivalent print design experience.

Please submit your resume by Wednesday, May 28, 2008 to Anders Knudsen, Creative Director at
aknudsen@redpointmedia.ca. We thank all applicants for their interest; however only those selected for interviews will be contacted. No phone calls please.To read the full posting, click here.

Sales Manager - RedPoint Media Group Inc.
RedPoint Media Group Inc. is one of the largest independent magazine publishers in Western Canada. A leader in our industry, we publish award-winning magazines such as Avenue, CalgaryInc, and Wine Access as well as publications for businesses, arts
organizations and other clients. An exciting opportunity exists for a dynamic and resourceful Sales Manager to provide leadership and direction to our sales force. Based in Calgary, the Sales Manager will oversee sales teams in maximizing performance and develop sales initiatives. This position reports to the Vice President, Sales, and to the magazine Publishers.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Define the sales strategic plan and consistently develop new opportunities;

• Hiring, training and managing sales teams for Calgary, Edmonton and our
  national advertising team;

• Chairing weekly sales meetings;

• Ensuring sales team meets and/or exceeds sales targets;

• Supervising, motivating and monitoring team performance.

The successful candidate will be enthusiastic and driven and will have strong leadership qualities. The ability to motivate teams is essential, as are strong sales and communication skills. Extensive outside sales experience in media is preferred, as is a post-secondary education.

Please visit www.redpointmedia.ca for more details about our exciting company. We provide a fun and creative work environment with a vibrant atmosphere, regular staff parties and excellent benefits.

Please submit your resume by May 30, 2008 to Jackie Bernard, Human Resources Manager: jbernard@redpointmedia.ca. We thank all applicants for their interest; however only those selected for interviews will be contacted. No phone calls please.

Editor – Alberta Country Magazine
Alberta Country is a bi-monthly consumer, controlled circulation newspaper-size magazine for busy, affluent country dwellers who need inspiring, authentic and smart information on realizing their dream life. Alberta Country’s coverage is modern, gives easy to digest solutions to country living, crisp content on lifestyle and issues, and also has witty commentary on entertainment, trends, real estate, people and destinations.

Responsibilities include:

• Working closely with publisher to develop, investigate and generate new topics;

• Writing and editing feature articles, news updates and departments for all publication;

• Editing and proofing all editorial content;

• Working with and coordinating with production to ensure appropriate design, art and layout to meet scheduled deadlines;

• Reading and evaluating material submitted for publication;

• Networking with the industry.
  

Qualifications:

• The ideal candidate should have 2 to 4 years of print writing and editing experience, ideally in a magazine or newspaper environment publishing under regular deadlines;

• Proven ability to work with a small team in a busy environment;

• Demonstrated ability to handle multiple tasks in an organized manner;

• Ability to work to tight deadlines;

• Strong attention to detail;

• A good understanding and feel for acreage living.

Please contact the publisher at ingrids@efirehose.net. Thanks to all candidates but only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Contract Advertising Sales Representative - Dakota Design and Advertising

Dakota Design and Advertising is looking for an advertising sales rep to sell for Alberta Country. Alberta Country is an acreage lifestyle publication. Tremendous potential for someone who is results driven and an independent worker.

Sales background in media, preferably in magazines and a familiarity of the business community in Calgary and surrounding area an asset. Reply to Ruth Dunbar via email: dunbarr@telusplanet.net or drop your resume off at:

Dakota Design and Advertising

Bay 114, 3907-3A St. NE.
Calgary, AB.

Editor – Western Canadian Resorts Magazine

The recreational property industry in North America is moving at a rapid pace and Western Canadian Resorts Magazine is seeking an experienced editor who can keep up with it. The ideal candidate will be outgoing and organized with proven writing and editing skills and the ability to work both independently and as part of a team. This is a full-time permanent position with great health and dental benefits, salary is commensurate with experience. Please submit resume to careers@sourcemediagroup.ca