The Focus is a chance for editors listed on www.featuresexec.com to tell everyone a bit more about their work and experience, and to tell freelance journalists what they commission and what they expect from you. If you’d like to take part email us on researchers@dwpub.com.
Tell us a bit about Psychologies Magazine:
We are a very different women’s magazine – no fashion, no celebrity gossip. We focus on stimulating intelligent features aimed at living positively. We are not afraid to be highbrow; we expect our readers to want to be stretched.
What stories are you most interested in covering?
We are interested in stories that touch on research into personality and behaviour; where the outside world meets women’s interior lives, and the impact it has (eg effect of credit crunch on our wellbeing); heart-warming real life stories; sex and relationships are important areas, and we cater to those in relationships and single women.
How does the editorial process run? Do you have specific days when you focus on different aspects of the magazine, or is the planning on a much more ad-hoc basis?
We are mostly a features magazine and we are constantly talking about what is going into the issue and on in the world. We have flexibility to change throughout the production period as we are not so tied to release dates/transmission times as those magazines that rely largely on celebrities.
Do you use freelance contributions, and if so, are they for any particular section/type of work?
Yes, we do use freelances. Our travel editor is a freelance editor (Kate O’Donnell, ex In Style), many of our columnists are freelance, as are many of the features writers.
Name the three most important attributes that make a freelance journalist stand out for you and would make you use them again?
Working to the brief, writing well. Caring about the piece, not tossing it off and asking for the money.
Where have you worked previously, and how did you end up in your current position?
I have edited Just Seventeen, ES magazine, In Style and Good Housekeeping. I have been deputy editor on Elle and Vogue, and Women’s page editor (and Style page and Parents page) on The Guardian.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?
Don’t freak out. Not everything you hope to happen will happen. And not everything you dread happening will happen either. And, importantly, it’s a job, not your life.
