Ever wondered about the pecking order of a magazine editorial staff? Here’s a list of the types of jobs for magazine writers and editors – which will also help you decide to whom to pitch your freelance article! (And do you think this article is completely behind the times because print magazines are practically history? I’d love to hear your thoughts below…).

Here’s a taste of what a magazine editor can experience:

“Not long ago, Canada’s oldest women’s magazine seemed headed for irrelevance,” wrote Robert Fulford in Toronto Life in August, 2003. “Under Rona Maynard, however, Chatelaine has been transformed from a glamour and celebrity magazine into a ‘personal empowerment vehicle.’ Today, after 75 years, it’s thriving as never before.”

Rona Maynard was in charge when Chatelaine was dubbed the most financially successful magazine in Canada. She gave it a facelift that included a perkier bottom line – but only after struggling with depression, family problems, and a nasty taste in her mouth from her previous editorial job at Maclean’s.

The road from editorial intern or assistant to editor in chief can be a tough row to hoe — but it can be incredibly rewarding! For more info about careers for bibliophiles, click Careers for Bookworms & Other Literary Types – the inspiration for this list. And read on for info about an editorial writing career and types of jobs for magazine staff writers and editors…

Writing Careers – Types of Jobs for Magazine Staff Writers and Editors

Book publishing companies have a similar hierarchy: editor in chief, managing editor, senior/associate/assistant/specialty editors, and editorial assistants.

Editor in Chief or Editor. The editor in chief of a magazine is responsible for the editorial content of the magazine. Like a CEO, the editor in chief delegates many responsibilities to other staff at the magazine. If you’re a freelance writer, you wouldn’t normally pitch an article idea to the editor in chief (though I have been known to!). Editors in chief have likely experienced every type of magazine job imaginable, from managing editor to editorial intern.

Managing Editor. The managing editor reports directly to the editor in chief, and supervises the daily activities of the magazine. The managing editor supervises the staff writers and freelance writers – and is the editor you should pitch your freelance article ideas to! Managing editors also write and edit special projects and feature articles, and can have at least one assistant editor who reports to him or her.

Senior, Associate, Assistant, or Specialty Editors. The number and type of senior, associate, assistant, or specialty editors depends on the size and type of the magazine. These editors may double as staff writers – a typical way to start a writing career at a publication or book publisher, whether it’s a trade magazine or a startup ezine – and are often specialists in a certain field (eg, beauty editor, travel editor, etc). These staff writers or editors also do some copyediting.

Editorial Assistants. If you want a writing career in the glamorous magazine publishing industry, you’ll probably have to start out as an editorial assistant (or an editorial intern, which isn’t typically a paid position). These are entry level positions, which can involve staff writing and editing. The exact duties of editorial assistants depend on the publication or book publishing company.

Different magazines assign different duties to the managing editors, senior editors, editorial assistants, and editorial interns – depending on the size, budget, and type of magazine. If you want a writing career, it’s important to remember that you have to start on the bottom rung, especially now (many print magazines are struggling financially). 

And, heed Maynard’s advice to writers:

“Protect the dreaming, aspiring part of yourself,” says Maynard. “It’s the keeper of all your strength, all your wisdom. Don’t undermine it with busy work.”

Do you have a hankering for a writing career? I welcome your thoughts and questions about magazine staff writing, editorial jobs, and freelance writing below!

~ Resources for Writers & Bloggers ~

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