2. The
chief editor oversees the whole content
and makes sure the flow of the magazine is
seamless. As a top editor, this person is
responsible for making all the final decisions
and is constantly getting reports from the
managing editor, creative director and the
executive editor.
3. The
managing editor is second highest to the
editor in chief and is usually in charge of
enforcing deadlines, following the editorial
calendar and making sure daily tasks are
being accomplished by each person, though
responsibilities differ from publication to
publication. Some managing editors also plan
the budget for the magazine.
4. The
creative director is in charge of the
visual aspect of the magazine and is
constantly communicating back and forth
with the chief editor. His or her main task is
in creating cover concepts and directing
photo shoots. This vision is then translated
into the layout by the art director, who
works in conjunction with the photo editor.
5. The
executive editor selects the writers,
assigns them stories and edits their articles.
He or she usually writes the larger stories
and the cover headlines that must be short,
sweet and catchy. However, in larger
magazines, the executive editor may have a
staff of editors to oversee such as the
features editor and a specializing editor
(e.g., fashion or technology).
6. A
copy editor is one of the few who reads the
magazine thoroughly from cover to cover. He
or she makes sure the publication has no
errors in spelling or grammar and that there
is no libel.
7. The
role of a fact checker is self explanatory.
He or she checks for the accuracy of facts by
researching and calling places to make sure
names are spelled correctly, prices match,
addresses exist, etc.
8. Most
magazines outsource their writers and
photographers and hire them as freelancers.
They are usually found through referrals,
word of mouth and Web sites like
MediaBistro.com.
9. An
editorial assistant writes small sections,
answers calls, makes the coffee and does
whatever the editor assigns on a day-to-day
basis. An assistant editor has more
experience, is given more responsibilities and
gets paid higher but is still in the assisting
role.
