January 2000

Structuring an Article
By Peter P. Jacobi
Here are the architectural plans that can be used to improve virtually any article you write or edit!

Grammar and Usage Tips for Editors
By Beth Anne Cooke
How to avoid common writing mistakes.

A Decade of Computer-Assisted Design
By John Johanek
What have computers done to change the way today's magazines are designed and produced?

Editors' Thoughts on Grammar
By Barbara Spear
What policies do editors maintain regarding the use of good grammar at their publications?

February 2000

Contracting with Freelancers
By Lawrence Savell
Possible provisions to consider for your freelancer contracts.

The Focus Group
By William Dunkerley
An essential tool for getting new insights into reader views.

How Editors Can Help Writers
By Peter P. Jacobi
Achieve greater editorial excellence in your publication by working closely with your writers.

A Reader's Question: How much should you pay a freelancer?

March 2000

Strength in Unity
By John Johanek
Design leaders rely on graphic unity to protect a strong image.

Hold Your Next Focus Group Online
By Ruth P. Stevens
Looking for a way to get together a geographically diverse cross-section of readers? Here's a solution using new technology.

Cases of Cleverness
By Peter P. Jacobi
Examples of writers injecting cleverness into their prose.

If Only I Could Know...
By Barbara Spear
What kinds of editorial trade secrets are most in demand?

April 2000

The Link Between Editor Training and Retention
By Nanette Miner, Ed.D.
Want to keep good editors and avoid staff turnover? Here's some insight on how to do it.

Learning From the Poets: Part I
By Peter P. Jacobi
Nine lessons we writers of prose can learn from the poets.

How to Get Your Staff to Meet Expectations
By William Dunkerley
Use a system of job descriptions and performance appraisals to achieve greater levels of success.

Editors' Views on Training and Job Descriptions
By Barbara Spear
What editors have to say about the personnel practices at their publications.

May 2000

Cover Design Options...
By John Johanek
Good covers are no accident. How do you know what's the best design approach for your magazine?

...Cover Text Imperatives
By Sandra J. Blum
Rounding out the picture with words.

Learning from the Poets: Part II
By Peter P. Jacobi
The final five of nine lessons we writers of prose can learn from the poets.

Deadline Compliance
By Barbara Spear
How do you get your writers -- staff or freelance -- to get things in on time?

New Book:
Practical Proofreading

June 2000

Ten Strategies for Better Web Searching
By Bill Dedman
How to get the most out of your Web searches when doing editorial research.

Use the Narrative!
By Peter P. Jacobi
Making use of this powerful tool for capturing your audience.

Plateaued Editors
By Eleta Jones
Do you have editorial staffers who have "retired" on the job? Here's how to help them become unstuck.

Taking Time Off
By Barbara Spear
Are you able to get in all the vacation time you want?

New Book:
Lapsing Into a Comma

July 2000

Design Sore Spots
By John Johanek
Taking a close look at four key areas can have a major impact on improving your magazine's design.

What Editors Should Know About Hiring a Printer
By Steven W. Frye
Tips on how to evaluate printer bids, and establish a mutually beneficial relationship with your printer.

Write Descriptively!
By Peter P. Jacobi
How to create vivid images with words.

A Reader's Question: Should Editors Publish Anonymous Letters?

New Book:
Words Fail Me

August 2000

Net Style Evolution
By Lana R. Castle
If you are wondering about dot-com practices creeping into print, read this!

The Tyranny of Email
By Robert McKim
Are you getting virtual tons of email? What's an editor to do? Here are 8 tips for managing your email, and 8 for making your outgoing email all the more effective.

Important "I" Words
By Peter P. Jacobi
Thinking of these words as you write will keep you focused on your special role as writer.

Trends in Photo Usage
By Barbara Spear
How are other editors and art directors handling the acquisition and use of photos?

New Book:
The Word Detective

September 2000

Headline Design
By John Johanek
Make your magazine more readable, inviting, and interesting by rethinking the design of your headlines.

Honoring Your Staff's Work
By Peter P. Jacobi
Here's how one company set out to reward its staff's best work.

Editors and Their Colleagues
By Barbara Spear
What kinds of collegial relations do editors maintain?

A Reader's Question: Why Hasn't Our Research Paid Off?

October 2000

Privacy Considerations for Editors
By Robert Gellman
When you do a story about someone, do you consider his or her right to privacy? You should. In our information-intensive world, individual demands for privacy rights are on the increase.

The Importance of Being Honest
By Patricia T. O'Conner
Leveling with the reader.

Writing Better Through Reading
By Peter P. Jacobi
Here's one way to jump-start the creativity in your writing.

Article Acceptance Procedures: Part I
By Denise Gable
How do other editors handle the process of accepting or rejecting articles?

November 2000

Five Places to Check for Signs of Tired Design
By John Johanek
Attack the design shortcomings of these five design components and see what a change you can make.

Editorial Training Is a Process -- Not a One-Time Event
By Deborah Beavers-Moss
Here is a novel way to conduct ongoing training in a way that is convenient and cost effective.

When Writer and Reader Meet
By Peter P. Jacobi
When creative writing succeeds, whether in advertisements, books or magazine articles, the result can bring together the writer and reader.

Article Acceptance Procedures: Part II
By Denise Gable
How do other editors handle the process of accepting or rejecting articles?

New Book:
Descriptionary: A Thematic Dictionary, Second Edition

December 2000

Cut Through the Clutter
By Ann Wylie
Seven ways to make your copy easier to read and understand.

It Takes More Than Good Writing to Create a Winner
By Peter P. Jacobi
For the finished product to be noteworthy enough to deserve reader attention, good reporting and excellent details are as essential as the writing.

Digital Content Management
By William Dunkerley
A new paradigm for utilizing content that's appeared in past issues.

How Editors Hold on to Their Staff
By Denise Gable
With a tight job market, how do you keep your staff members on board?