One of the things I do in my role as editor of Capital Parent Newspaper is write an editor’s letter in every issue. It can always be found in its regular spot on page two. When I first came on board two years ago it was up to me whether I wanted to include something like this.
On one hand, the editor’s letter seems terribly indulgent in this kind of publication. It takes up a large amount of space, and I used to find myself wondering whether it’d be more useful to use it for something else. For me, it’s important that the writers and photographers get the spotlight. I really want them to shine – for them to get noticed – not me. Ultimately I decided to include my letter as a regular feature for two reasons: (1) It gives a face to the brand, which I think is important and (2) it allows me to talk about a few things related to that particular issue that may not fit anywhere else.
Every month, it’s practically the last thing I do in terms of the production of the paper. Everything else is submitted for layout, but this comes last. For some reason, it’s not something I can write ahead of time. Ideally, I’d take a quiet hour or two and sit down with a coffee and pontificate weeks ahead of time, but it never happens this way. It’s a mental block of sorts. I need to see the paper almost completed in front of me before I start to write. Part of me needs to see the whole package, and let the words gel in my brain before committing them permanently to the issue but I fear that I’m setting myself up for failure if I don’t break out of this bad habit.
I just submitted my editor’s letter for the January issue. January! This is how far ahead we have to work. I’m already thinking about February if you can believe it.
The Editor’s letter appears in the digital versions of the newspaper, but never in the Capital Parent blog. Perhaps the part of me that thinks it’s indulgent, is winning. Perhaps I need to give this more thought.
And then there’s the photo. I had one taken a couple of years ago and although I like it, it’s in dire need of an update. But here’s the thing: I hate having my photo taken. Many other editors have a new one taken for each issue, but I’m just not that kind of person. For awhile I was switching the photos for seasonal ones we took at home, but now I’m thinking consistency is better.
If you live in Ottawa and are a Capital Parent reader (and I hope you are!) I’d love to hear a bit about what you’d like to see in 2015. More recipes? More events? More or less from the editor? ;)
