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It’s Been A Long Time, I Shouldn’tve Left You…Without a Dope Issue to Read Through

10/15/2012
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Yup, that’s a legal pad. Respect the technique.

So, remember that magazine I told you about? The second issue that’s supposed to be coming out soon? Yeah, that one. Well, since it’s been a minute, I thought I’d share a few new developments ~

  • I finally found a home for all those extra issues I was trying to give away (yay!) I sent about 100 or so magazines to the NYC ACS Youth Detention Office (major shout out to them btw). Believe it or not I still have a lot more (I was very enthusiastic about publishing my first issue and it actually costs less to  publish more, so there you have that). One step at a time.
  • Also, I got the first article into the designer and am expecting the final layout any day now (can’t hardly wait)! Now, this issue isn’t going to be as long as the first one, but there is going to be an online component to each print article. I say all that to say, I don’t want to give up too much about the first article, but a little teasing never hurt anyone, right?

Hint: It’s “contagious,” blends passion and practicality and the creator very much wants you to catch it. Ok. that’s probably not such a good hint (especially if you’ve never heard of it before) but our Striver’s Row piece this issue (the business/entrepreneurship section) features Erica Purnell, the creator of Pink Eye, a custom graphics and design business that specializes in shoes and athletic wear.  If you have any questions you’d like to ask Erica, please let me know so that I can be sure to include them.

  • I’ve also finished working on my editor’s letter and I think it’s pretty good. My first time writing one, I had so much to say that I didn’t know where to start…so I ended up all over the place. Since then, I’ve been studying other letters written by editors I admire and I think I did a much better job at focusing and tightening mine up.

So, although I thought I’d be much further along by now, I’m still plugging along. It’s difficult when you have to wait for pieces (interviews/photos/information) from other people who are working on their own schedule. Since we’re a start-up it’s hard to be more demanding, but I think the final product will be worth it, we have some really good stuff here.

~Until then~

Why This EIC Went MIA

09/25/2012
It's Me Again, Letter from the Editor, Motivation, My Story
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Hey all,

I know it’s been a while, but I’m back (I know, again). Truth is, starting this magazine (and trying to make it pop) has been a lot of hard work, even harder than I anticipated. Truth moment? I thought that having a good  great idea was enough. That all I had to do was to get the magazine finished (which took long enough), printed, and the world would recognize its awesomeness and praise/award me appropriately. Yeah. Welp, the world got me good. And for a minute there I got caught up in comparing my struggle to other people’s “successes” and I got bummed out. I doubted myself and I wondered if it was even worth it. I’m here, so what changed? Well, a few things. First, I met an amazing group of young women (Girls for Gender Equity, how y’all doin) and got excited about the mission of this magazine again. Like, I really got excited again. Then, I took a moment to honestly re-evaluate what I had done and why it didn’t work. And when I say I took a moment, I mean I read and researched and thought critically about what I was trying to do versus what I was actually doing. I switched up my game plan and recommitted myself to doing this work. So, I’m here. And I’m back to basics. That means, I’ve stopped focusing on all the awards I think I deserve and  all the great things to come and I’m working on reaching these girls, right now.

“Please help us find a home. We’re really good magazines. Honest.”

That said, I have a lot of copies of the first issue left. I’m not really concerned with making a profit selling them, as that ship has sailed. But I would like to get the issues out to some young women who might enjoy them. So, I’d you know of any groups, schools, programs, homes, centers, etc. where I can send a packet of magazines, please let me know.

Also, stay tuned. Because I’m going to be blogging about the process of getting this issue of the magazine out and, well, I plan to do so honestly, so you might not want to miss it.

~Until next time

The October Issues

10/05/2009
Contest, Magazines, pop culture, Writing
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Hey all! So the magazine world likes to do things months in advance. So the October issue comes out in September and the editors are most likely already working on the February  issue. I’m a little behind, but I was waiting to get more information on the Girl’s Life Oct. issue. So, if you have not seen them, here are

The October Issues

NYC-SeptOct2009

The September/October 2009 issue of New Youth Communications (NYC) Teen Magazine focuses on food- what you choose to eat and what’s inside what you’re eating. Good idea. There’s an interview with the man responsible for NYC public school food, articles on: a farm in the city, obesity in the country, trying to be a vegetarian in a family that eats meat, why bad food is good,  two very NY-centric pieces on healthy options from the bodega and why they’re aren’t more healthy options in them (something I’ve wondered myself), and food movie reviews. Sounds good. So check it out- articles written by NYC teens and available for free online.

There’s also a writing contest question- How do you think technology will change in the next 30 years? How will it affect our lives and behavior? Describe the typical day of a New York City teen in 2039.

There are three cash prizes: First Prize $150; Second Prize $75; Third Prize $50

You must be 14-19 to enter. The deadline is October 26, 2009. Submit entries here.

Good luck!

Represent Magazine Fall 2009

The Fall 2009 issue of Represent is about Art: “Making it,” and “How Art Transforms Us.” There are articles in this issue on writing, alter egos, dancing, fashion, music, Broadway musicals, arts therapy and (my fav) misogyny in hip hop. There’s also a book review and a comic. Good ish.

There is a reader survey you can complete and maybe even win some money. Fill it out here and they will pick three names at random for cash prizes. First name drawn $100, Second name drawn $50, Third name drawn $25. The survey should take less than 10 minutes, so complete it by the December 1st deadline.

Represent also has a writing contest question-Imagine President Obama has chosen you to be his top adviser on foster care reform (improving the system). Write him a letter describing the three most important things that should be done to make foster care better, and why. Good one; that’s deep.

There are three cash prizes: First Prize $150; Second Prize $75; Third Prize $50. The deadline is November 1, 2009. Submit entries here.

Good luck, chicas!

Teen Vogue has that warewolf dude from Twilight on the cover. Ok, ok. His name is Taylor Lautner, not warewolf dude (although that is the first thing I thought when I saw the cover). And I’m sure he’s a great guy (we’re talking about Jacob in the movie, not Taylor in real life although I’m sure he’s plenty nice, too) but…I’m still team Edward. Yeah, I said it.

On to the October issue. I must say that I’m impressed with Teen Vogue, in general. I wrote them off sometime last year (or the one before) and just let my subscription die in a fit a rage. But this issue actually has more than one article I’m excited to read. And can I add that I see more diversity in this magazine (in both ads and editorial content) than I do in most others. (mini hand clap)

I’m checking for:

“Breaking the Mold”- Plus-sized model Crystal Renn discusses finding happiness with her body personally and professionally after starving herself as a teen and struggling with an eating disorder. I like this chick. She should write something for us.

KeKe Palmer in the “Leaders of the Pack” young Hollywood feature…Hmm…I’m not sure how official that list is, but Keke is is a fave so I’m glad to see her on there. They also did a piece on her last month in Style Blogger- great look.

“Little Miss Perfect”- Examines what we give up trying to be such good girls all the time. (Sidebar-When I first saw the cover line I was like, are you serious? I’ve had that article idea for ages! Don’t you hate it when that happens? You see someone implement an idea that you had and didn’t pursue? Or you did pursue and didn’t get too far with? Well, lesson learned…Act on your ideas or don’t get tight when someone else does.)

“Character Development”- Condola Rashad, 22 year-old-daughter of the actress, beauty,  everymom Phylicia Rashad, is finally getting some face time and print space. I love it! Good job, Teen Vogue, very good job. I’m definitely checking for her.

AND they actually have an article on Debt! (seriously). How very…apropos…and responsible of them.

I’d say check it out  (for free at the library, like I did, if nothing else).

Oh Seventeen…is it just me? Or does this cover never change? I guess you go with what works. The cover girl is Whitney Port, whom you may know from the MTV show “The Hills” or her current show “The City.” Can’t say I’m a fan- maybe I need to up my tv watching, although I am really loath to do that. Anyway, there’s an article in here on girls who are changing the world and making a difference (p. 154) and that sounds totally inspiring. Other than that, it’s usual Seventeen stuff- clothes, boys, advice, makeup, quizzes. There is a piece in the Heath+Sex+Fitness section on loving the breasts you have (yay!) and a piece in the Dating section on having a hot Halloween. See the website for details.

image.axd

Now, Girl’s Life publishes two issues at a time, so this is the October and November issue for them. The cover girl is Kay Panabaker of the movie Fame, fame. She’s a newcomer (or at least not that popular yet) so it could be interesting. At the very least it’s not someone  you’ve read about a million times already. There really isn’t anything in this issue I’m interested in reading. But there is an article on managing your hectic schedule which could be helpful-

GL Life: Under Pressure?
Tons of To Do’s have you frazzled? How to manage your hectic schedule while still keeping your sanity in check.

Lots of articles on what to wear, clothing and quizzes if you’re in to that sort of thing. Go to the website for more details on this issue. GL is giving away some things though and tis the season to get free stuff, so have at it:

WIN a wardrobe for winter
Warm up with cozy-cute coats and furrific boots. We’re givin’ away must-have winter essentials all through October. Our GRAND PRIZE? One stylin’ fashionista scores a WHOLE winter wardrobe from Pink Cookie. CLICK HERE to download the October’s Clothes 4 Chilly Chicas Giveaway Calendar now!

Win a DS and a Wii
From snappin’ shots with digi cams to pluggin’ in your tunes with an iPod Touch, this November we’ve got awesome hi-tech freebies. Plus! One gamer girl gets the ultimate prize pack with Wii console, DS console and the entire new line of Charm Girls Club video games from EA. CLICK HERE to download the November’s Totally Tech Giveaway Calendar!

Good luck with that! Be back soon with more on November!

NYC Teen Magazines

09/14/2009
Magazines, Writing
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I asked a question in a previous post about whether or not Seventeen and Teen Vogue were the only two teen magazines left standing. Well, the answer to my own question is no, they are not. In fact, there are two magazines written by and for teens in the NYC area that I wanted to tell you about, in case you didn’t know or hadn’t heard of them. And yes, they do deserve their own post.

New Youth Connections (NYC)

NYC-MayJune 2009

NYC is a magazine written by and for teens in New York City. It’s published seven times during the school year and if you attend public school in NYC, you should be able to get a free copy at your school. If not, check with your local library. You can also go to their website to read articles from the most recent issue (May/June 2009) and back issues.

Represent

Represent Magazine--Nov/Dec 2008

Represent is NYC‘s sister publication and it’s written by and for teens in foster care. Represent is a bi-monthly magazine and you can also check out their website to read articles from the Summer 2009 issue and previous issues. (That cover is kind of sick, right?)

Also, if you are interested in writing for either one of these publications, you can! If you are between the ages of 15 and 20 and live in New York City, you are eligible. You might even be able to receive school credit, but you have to be committed to working really hard on your pieces. Check out the  FAQ page for more information.

I have a really talented writer friend who works as an editor for NYC. She loves her job and working with young people, so I would really encourage you to reach out to them if you are interested in writing for one of their publications (and are committed to seeing it through). It sounds like a really amazing opportunity. You not only get to write and have your work published, but you also get to work with professional editors and maybe even see how a magazine is put together. Hotness.

Write on, girls