| April 2011 | MagaScene Newsletter 82 |
Blogging for Magazines Seminar Highlights and a Strong Example—Western Horse Review SFU Summer Publishing Workshops 2011 Registration Open Avenue Edmonton Recognized for Promotion of the Arts Prairie Journal, Alberta Views and FreeFall Stories Make Awards Shortlist AMPA's 2011 Catalogue of Members Your Industry Resource WordFest Presents Elizabeth Hay and Miriam Toews May 3 Dave Greber Freelance Writers Book/Magazine Award June 17 Oilweek/ATB Financial Annual Report Awards July 15 Account Executive, Venture Publishing April 30
FEATURE Blogging for Magazines Seminar Highlights and a Strong Example—Western Horse Review by Rebecca Lesser
Blogging Tips for Editors
On April 19 (Calgary) and April 20 (Edmonton), AMPA hosted the session "Best Blogging Tips for Editors" with speaker Hilary Henegar, the web whiz editor behind GranvilleOnline.ca. You know your speaker has addressed the needs and interests of a broad audience when they're congratulated afterwards with the comment: "the best investment of my time in months." Way to go, Hilary! AMPA Blogger Shares Highlights AMPA Blogger Colleen Seto has done a great job of summing up Hilary’s tips in her post "An Idiot's Guide to Blogging" (and yes, one of the tips was that certain words, idiot for instance, bring in traffic). Colleen describes how you should “set your online editorial mandate to parallel that of your magazine’s…your website should reflect the same voice and brand...” She also highlights Hilary’s warning that free content, although appealing can make “more work and less control” on the editor’s end. In other words—pay your bloggers! This will also encourage your bloggers to take ownership of their posts, build relationships with readers, and spread the word about your brand. And finally, Colleen shares how “the online space is a community that’s all about karma…If you invest in it, you will get the return.” Western Horse Review Magazine Offers Strong Example All of this blog talk had me thinking about one members’ blog efforts that stand out for me as exemplary of everything Hilary emphasized at the sessions: the four blogs (that’s right, four of them!) from the Western Horse Review (WHR). I’ll admit, I have little personal knowledge of or interest in horses, but that doesn’t stop me from truly appreciating all that goes into these regularly updated, often personal and always informative blog posts. And it’s not even always horse-speak! For example, a recent favourite in “My Stable Life” with blogger Jenn Webster offers a photo-filled glimpse into her personal life [link]; this is one of the great ways that WHR builds relationships with their readers, bringing to light the personality behind the blog.
So You Want to Be a Blogger? I wanted to learn more about all of the work that goes into keeping WHR’s four blogs current and engaging, so I posed a few questions to Ingrid Schulz, WHR magazine editor and “Screen Doors & Saddles” blogger. She answered my more practical queries—about her choice of blogging platform (Wordpress) and whether she pays her bloggers (yes!)—but really opened up when I asked what instructions and advice she offers her bloggers.
One seemingly simple request that she asks all her potential bloggers, is to “submit 10-15 completed blog posts.” The response? “I don't hear back from 99% of them. It's simple, but it's a great exercise in understanding the commitment involved in this venture. I composed posts for a year, prior to going live. Not only did the store of posts help me get through busy times at the magazine, but this method allowed me to develop a real voice for myself.” Looking for further blogging insight? I’ve posted the full Q & A with Western Horse Review editor and blogger Ingrid Schulz on the Alberta Magazines blog.
NEWS SFU Summer Publishing Workshops 2011 Registration Open
The SFU Summer Publishing Workshops offer you a chance to learn from and work with more than 100 of North America's top editors, writers, marketers, designers, publishers, and new media moguls. They will challenge and guide you through one of the most intense and valuable educational experiences you may ever have. Hands-on projects, lectures, and roundtable discussions in one- and two-week immersion workshops challenge you to dive into the practical details of editing and publishing. When you have finished, you're ready to succeed in the publishing world. Intensive workshops run into the early evening and place a strong focus on individual projects. One- and two-day workshops give you smaller bite of the pie and are jam-packed with information, expertise and resources. Full details and applications can be found at http://www.ccsp.sfu.ca/pubworks/# And yes, there are plenty of magazine courses, too!
Avenue Edmonton Recognized For Promotion of the Arts
On April 11 at the Winspear Centre in Edmonton, Mayor Stephen Mandel and the Professional Arts Coalition of Edmonton (PACE) unveiled the winners of the 2011 Mayor’s Celebration of the Arts. Much to the delight of their magazine industry peers, and the arts community in general, Avenue Edmonton received the John Poole Award for Promotion of the Arts.
Associate Editor Omar Mouallem commented to AMPA that this award is "as good a measure as I can think of that we are doing our part to cover Edmonton's deserving artists." He further acknowledged that "the recognition we received is in many ways a recognition of the artistic community itself, which, in the five years that we've been around, has continued to prosper and wow Edmontonians with all it has to offer."
Avenue Edmonton editor Steven Sandor expresses his thoughts on the award in his April 12 posting on the Culture Snacks blog: "A Rewarding Evening at the Winspear" Prairie Journal, Alberta Views and FreeFall Stories The Writers Guild of Alberta (WGA) has announced the finalists for the 2011 Alberta Literary Awards, and stories from AMPA members Prairie Journal, FreeFall and Alberta Views made the cut!
The Alberta Literary Awards recognize and celebrate literary excellence among Alberta authors. Awards jurors have deliberated 164 submissions to select 25 finalists in eight categories. Finalists represent extraordinary literary work written by Alberta authors and published in 2010.
Winners will be announced and awards presented at the Alberta Book Awards Gala on Saturday June 11, 2011 in conjunction with the Writers Guild of Alberta annual conference. For more information on the finalists, or to register, please call 1-800-665-5354 or visit www.writersguild.ab.ca.
AMPA's 2011 Catalogue of Members Your Industry Resource AMPA is always welcoming new members: keep track of them all with AMPA’s digital 2011 Catalogue of Members, featuring magazine profiles, subscription information, links and contact details. Whether you're working in the industry; researching magazine publishers for employment; or investigating the diverse array of Alberta magazines (business, food, cowboy, fly fishing, literary, and more!); you'll want to download your copy of AMPA's digital 2011 Catalogue of Members...
EVENTS WordFest Presents Elizabeth Hay and Miriam Toews John Dutton Theatre, Central Library, Calgary WordFest presents award-winning authors Elizabeth Hay and Miriam Toews for a memorable event featuring each of their respective new books. Elizabeth Hay will be reading from her new book, Alone in the Classroom, and Toews will be reading from Irma Voth; both novels are being published this Spring. Copies of Alone in the Classroom and Irma Voth will be available for sale courtesy of Pages Books on Kensington and both authors will be available to sign after the readings. Visit http://www.wordfest.com to purchase your tickets.
Get Publishing 2011: At the Edge of Print The Alberta Magazine Publishers Association is a sponsor of this event, and will have a table at the marketplace on May 7, 11:30 - 5:00. Stop by to say hi!
Get Publishing 2011: At the Edge of Print connects writers with editors and publishers to explore the outer limits of the written word. Registration is now open for this essential conference to get your passions into print and beyond.
Pitch your ideas to a publisher. Draw inspiration from the keynote speakers. Attend the panels, browse the marketplace, don your thinking caps at the writers' circus. This year's presenters, panels, and workshops include:
To register by May 2, visit www.getpublishing.ca/edge
MagNet 2011: Canada's Magazine Conference
MagNet is Canada’s premiere public policy, professional development and networking conference for magazine professionals—a Super Conference not to be missed!
Developed to meet the industry’s growing needs for targeted, thought-provoking information and insightful, accessible and affordable learning, it represents a collaborative effort from the Canadian Business Press (CBP), Canadian Society of Magazine Editors (CSME), Circulation Management Association of Canada (CMC), Magazines Canada (MC) and the Professional Writers Association of Canada (PWAC). These associations have worked closely to deliver a stellar line-up of sessions, workshops and keynote speakers featuring North America’s top magazine publishing leaders, thinkers and visionaries.
There are over 60 sessions focused on innovation at flexible and affordable prices.
To learn more about MagNet, and to register (early bird May 6), visit http://magnet.magazinescanada.ca
Writers Guild of Alberta Conference and Literary Awards Gala June 10 – 12, 2011 Palliser Hotel, Calgary The Writers Guild of Alberta’s “Writing the History, Inscribing the Future” 30th Anniversary Conference will be taking place June 10 – 12, 2011 at the Palliser Hotel in Calgary. The keynote speaker Marina Endicott will address "The Writing Life, and How Did I Get Here?" Complete descriptions of sessions and events are listed at www.writersguild.ab.ca. For more information, contact mail@writersguild.ab.ca.
The winners of the Alberta Literary Awards will be presented at the Alberta Book Awards Gala, Saturday June 11, 2011 in conjunction with Book Publishers Association of Alberta’s (BPAA) Alberta Book Publishing Awards and Alberta Readers’ Choice Award. Stories published in AMPA member magazines Prairie Journal, FreeFall and Alberta Views are among the finalists!
To register for the conference and/or awards gala, by the deadline of June 3, visit http://www.writersguild.ab.ca/AGM.asp.
AWARDS/CALLS FOR SUBMISSIONS Dave Greber Freelance Writers Book and Magazine Awards Deadline for submissions: June 17, 2011 The Dave Greber Freelance Writers Awards will help support a writer, prior to publication, with living, writing and research expenses. Originally open only to Calgary writers, those from anywhere in Canada may now apply. Both a Book and a Magazine award, each valued at two thousand dollars, are available to freelance writers of non-fiction for social justice writing. Further details at: www.albertamagazines.com/news_and_events/contests.php
Alberta Views Annual Short Story Contest Deadline for submissions: June 30, 2011
Alberta Views magazine is proud to host a short story contest open exclusively to Albertans. Win $1,000 and get published in Alberta Views.
The contest is open to all residents of Alberta except employees of Alberta Views. An entry fee of $30 includes a year’s subscription to Alberta Views and is non-refundable. The winner will be published in the December 2011 issue and will receive a prize of $1,000.
Go to the Short Story Competition page for details.
Oilweek/ATB Financial Annual Report Awards Deadline for submissions: July 15, 2011
Oilweek magazine and ATB Financial are now accepting submissions for the 36th Oilweek/ATB Financial Annual Report Awards competition. Recognized as the industry-acknowledged benchmark for annual reports, the Oilweek/ATB Financial Annual Report Awards is the only event that honours and promotes excellence in Canadian oil and gas exploration, production, transportation and service and supply industries.
Winners will be unveiled in style at the annual ARA luncheon on November 24, 2011, in Calgary. Winning reports in all categories will be featured in the January 2012 edition of Oilweek magazine.
Read the full awards press release for details. Further details regarding categories and entry submission can also be found at www.oilweek.com/ara. For more information, contact Mary Hatch at 403.209.3580.
JOBS Calgary Area Ad Sales, airdrielife magazine You are an experienced advertising sales rep with excellent connections across the city. You like working independently and being rewarded for your efforts. You love and understand the power of magazines. airdrielife magazine is looking for you to join their growing family. Based in Calgary, your job is to sell airdrielife to Calgary ad agencies and retailers who want to target one of the fastest growing cities in Canada. This is a contract position and pays a draw plus commission. Please forward a resume to Sherry Shaw Froggatt at froginc@shaw.ca no later than April 30.
Account Executive, Venture Publishing Venture Publishing is seeking an account executive to build advertising sales on Alberta Venture. This position is in the Calgary office. The primary responsibility is to sell advertising and sponsorship for Alberta Venture magazine, albertaventure.com, and other digital products. This position requires a results-oriented and experienced sales performer who will service existing accounts, prospect for new clients, grow advertising and sponsorship revenues, foster community and industry relationships and develop new business for the publications. Full posting at www.albertamagazines.com/job_board/#AcctExecVenture
Editorial Internship, up! magazine Deadline to apply: May 6, 2011 If you are interested in contributing to up! magazine (WestJet’s in-flight magazine that reaches 1.4 million flyers a month), then up! is interested in you. This is an eager bunch looking for top-notch, even hungry, writers, who want to join a demanding team that loves compelling stories about travelling the world – or, at least, WestJet’s world. They're looking for a proven writer and tenacious fact-checker interested in delivering engaging travel content to various multi-media platforms. In this role, you will write, research, fact-check and manage updates to print and online projects, while ensuring the accuracy and quality that up! magazine is known for. You will also be responsible for photo research and archiving. And you’ll likely get to pack your bags and take to the skies at some point during your work term. Full posting at www.albertamagazines.com/job_board/#EditInternUp
Circulation Director, Western Horse Review Western Horse Review is interested in finding the right person to manage their circulation department. Responsibilities include:
Full posting at www.albertamagazines.com/job_board/#CircWHR
Web Coordinator & Wordpress Expert, Western Horse Review
Responsibilities include:
Full posting at www.albertamagazines.com/job_board/#WebWHR |
To UNSUBSCRIBE from MagaScene, please send an email with the subject "UNSUBSCRIBE" to ampa@albertamagazines.com. MagaScene is written and compiled by Rebecca Lesser. To be in included in the next issue of MagaScene, please send an email to ampa@albertamagazines.com.
|
