It takes a team - editor thanks magazine staff - Editorial

Vibrant Life, Nov-Dec, 2003 by Larry Becker

About eight years ago a very nervous, inexperienced editor arrived for work at a large, intimidating publishing house to work on a health magazine. That editor had to meet a lot of people, learn new procedures, adapt to new policies, and actually get a magazine produced. Those days seemed quite overwhelming to me.

Very quickly I learned that it takes a lot more than an editor to produce a quality magazine. And while I've had many opportunities to say thanks to those people privately, I'd like you to know about them too.

The first thing I learned was that a good editor is made better by trusting the skills of a copy editor. The various copy editors who worked on Vibrant Life manuscripts over the years have truly made each article better. Thanks to each one of you.

As a magazine nears readiness for printing, someone has to go over each page with a careful eye, making sure everything is correct. The proofreaders who clean up errors in every issue have always made Vibrant Life look good. Thanks so much to each of you.

Each time a magazine finally makes it to the printing press, I've gone to the pressroom to check on how the issue looks. If there is a small problem with the color in a photo or illustration, the press operators amaze me with their skills at correcting that problem even as those web presses are rolling off finished magazines. I stand in awe of their skills, and appreciate the special care they take as they print each issue of Vibrant Life.

Our marketing people constantly astonish me with the ideas they come up with to increase the Vibrant Life audience. Their focus on creatively expanding the magazine's circulation brings new energy to each issue. And they're a lot of fun to work with, too.

Two people need to be singled out for mention by name.

Linda Starkey has served as my editorial assistant for each issue the past eight years. Vibrant Life would not be the same magazine without her talent, skills, support, and dedication to this magazine's ministry. Thank you so much, Linda.

Matthew Pierce arrived on the Vibrant Life staff one month after I did eight years ago. It's a rare situation when an editor and a designer reach a point of total trust in each other. But Matt and I truly do share that trust. He's an outstanding designer who has contributed much to Vibrant Life's growth over the past eight years Thanks, Matt. You're the best.

The time has now come for me to step aside as Vibrant Life editor. You'll be meeting the new editor in the next issue. I know he has a number of exciting ideas to enlarge the magazine's mission of sharing important health information.

But as I conclude my service with Vibrant Life, I'd also like to say thanks to you. For all or part of the past eight years, you've invested your funds and your time in having this magazine in your home. I hope that you've found something valuable in each issue. It's been fun being the editor. Now I'm signing on as a reader.