Category / Uncategorized
The magazine’s getting lots of exposure; it’s a bit of a thrill to see it in newsagents. Check out a couple of features that appeared in issue five – Beer, coffee and chocolate: an unusual combination took me a long time to research as no one I spoke to had actually heard of this combination, and Old wives tales – or are they? was fun to write as I could really use my imagination.
I learned so much while putting together the last issue of Menu, and I’m really getting to apply it this time around. Some things are so obvious now, whereas before I was still feeling my way around the place.
For instance, after putting together a story list for the next issue, I drew up a big chart so I can keep track of the progress of each piece. It’s good just to have a nice comprehensive list, instead of looking at the dummy every time I want to track who/where/what’s going on with a story. Like I said, it seems so obvious now…
I’ve already sub-edited a few stories that have come in, which means we can get pieces to the designer that much faster. I really enjoy subbing – I did everything but my own stories for the last issue, and I get a real kick out of cleaning up an article and popping out pristine copy. (Sounds like an ad for washing powder).
On the mining company front, I recently designed some brochures and big banners for a charity. It took me quite a long time in Photoshop as there were lots of words, pictures and other graphics to put in – and I’m no pro graphic artist – but the end result was bright, happy and exactly what I was after.
The latest issue of Menu has just hit shelves and I’m very excited!
The day after it came out, I represented the mag at the WA Good Food and Wine Show, and I had a blast. Our booth was twinkling all over with the latest magazine cover (featuring that delicious-looking dessert that had my sweet tooth nudging me all day). As the expo was food and wine-oriented and our mag just happens to be, well, food and wine-oriented, all the punters were very interested and I spent the whole day talking to people, showing them the mag, selling our little goodie bags, and signing up new subscribers.
Check out the cover – looks great hey! – and click here to see my ed letter (complete with a free plug for a coffee machine company and a food supplier on the same page).
The fifth issue of Menu (and my first issue as editor) is due out next month and I can’t wait! The designer showed us some of the pages and they’re looking fantastic. I’d examined the back issues and suggested some changes to the typeface and fonts, and I think it’s really made a difference.
I interviewed celebrity chef Ben O’Donoghue yesterday, and he was lovely to chat to. He talked me into trying a mojito next time I’m at a cocktail bar – I’m a fruit caprioska girl, but variety is the saffron of life after all…
It’s been all go at the mining company recently – next month, the very first shipment of ore will leave WA, and the company will be a fully-fledged operator. There’s been lots of great press, and it’s been very interesting to see how media relations works from the inside. I’ve been handling lots of correspondence, and consulted on a few media releases. It’s been quite interesting.
I’m right into writing stories at Menu at the moment. I have four or five on the go, so juggling quite a few things right now. There’s a piece on music that is getting quite in-depth, including an interview with a lecturer at the University of WA and a couple of scientific studies – quite deep for a food and restaurant magazine but I think it’s going to work really nicely.
I’m settling in at Menu and it’s going pretty well so far. I represented the mag at an expo called WA on Show the other day, and spoke to heaps of people about the magazine. We had a little booth with lots of magazines, posters, goodies and prizes. As the expo wasn’t food-specific, there were people from all walks of life wandering around, but everyone I spoke to seemed pretty interested in the reviews and stories in the mag.
We’ve put together the story list for the next issue and now it’s a case of assigning articles. I’ll be penning quite a few, as well as all the filler pieces and the CD and book reviews. Can’t wait to get stuck right in!
On a different note, I wrote most of a speech that my boss gave when unveiling some plans for a Kimberley community last month. I’d never tried my hand at speeches, but I think this one turned out really well. Always good to learn new things…
