thekpnc asked: Hi. I'm not a yearbook editor (but I'll be working very closely with the yearbook editor and her staff next school year), but I'm the editor for our school magazine. The past two years I've been one if the main designers, but I've never been an editor for an entire magazine. Do you have any tips for new editors?

First of all, congratulations! No one will ever care as much about your project as you will, and yet you will keep pushing through the thick and thin, deadline after deadline. And that, my friend, is a challenge. But so incredibly worth it. 

Here’s an ask I replied to some time ago about tips for editors, but I’ve got a few more. You were chosen for this job for a reason. Your adviser saw something in you that made them believe you are responsible and skilled enough to take the reigns of a $100,000 publication. It’s pretty cool when you think about it.

In that ask I linked you to, I basically ramble on about how you shouldn’t settle for anything but the best. Unfortunately, sometimes you do have to settle for less than the best. And sometimes you see your finished publication and wonder what the heck you were doing the whole school year. I have EIC friends (myself included) who have not dared to look at the book after it was published. And even after a year, it still stares down at me from my top closet shelf, but I know deep down it’s not all about me and how I feel about my publication. It’s also about the school and the service we as journalists contributed to the community. That year in our measly high school will be remembered indefinitely because of us.

Throughout the school year you will face tough situations. People will call you out, your staff will be unfocused and at times it will seem everything that can go wrong will go wrong. The important thing to remember is 1) it’s a yearbook. 2) push through. Have a cry, eat a couple cookies. It’s going to be all right. This is only the start of your life and if you choose to let publications inspire your career, that is beyond fantastic. And if not, well, you have learned very valuable skills you can take with you.

There are so many lessons to be learned and experiences to be had while generating a publication. So many good memories… I wish only the best for all of you.