Editors rotate jobs like a game of musical chairs. One editor leaves and another editor (sometimes from a competing publication) take their place. Then someone has to take their place. And so on.
Town & Country Travel, a spin-off of Town & Country is one of the lesser known travel magazines, but, in my opinion, one of the best. Blending the sophicated integrity of Travel & Leisure with the relaxed style of National Geographic Traveler, Town & Country Travel pleases travelers of all types. Since September 2003, Melissa Biggs Bradley edited the quarterly magazine, in addition to being the features and travel editor at Town & Country. But, I recently learned she’s stepping down to spend more time with her family. However, speculation indicates she may end up somewhere else. Editor-in-Chief, Pamela Fiori has not announced Biggs Bradley’s replacement, so be on the lookout!
If you follow Written Road, you know Erik Torkells, editor of Arthur Frommer’s Budget Travel has been looking for a features editor. Well, that’s to replace senior editor Nina Willdorf. But, Nina is not leaving to spend more time with her family, she’s moving to Travel & Leisure. Which, if you follow editorial changes, you know Travel & Leisure recently had a shake-up when associate editor, Hannah Wells left. I don’t know Nina’s official title or if you’ll be inserting her name in your query letters, but look for her name on next month’s Travel & Leisure’s masthead.
Speaking of mastheads, a little over a month ago, I told you about Mastheads. org, an excellent resource for writers. Mastheads is one of my ways of staying abreast to editorial changes, not just in travel, but every genre. They publish Insider Updates that keep you informed on editor comings and goings. Unfortunately, access to detailed mastheads are no longer free, but could come in handy if you need editor information fast.
Ok, I admit it. I’m a bit of a travel mag freak. I read them like celebrity watchers read tabloids. Name a travel magazine and I can probably recite the names of the leading editors, favorite contributing writers, and articles. Knowing this information could be a valuable tool if you’re interested in travel writing. Try to familiarize yourself with the editors of your favorite mags, which departments they edit and what stories they contribute. This information could be a start to a query letter. It also saves you the headache of having your queries rejected because you addressed it to the wrong editor.