Jodi DeVantier

The editor of WQ, Queensland Writers Centre magazine, talks about her career and how selling advertising is the biggest challenge for the magazine.

What did you want to be when you grew up?
When I was in primary school, I wanted to be a writer. But then I realised that I preferred reading to writing. This led me to discover the fantastic job of editing and that’s been my goal ever since. There was a brief six-week period where I wanted to be a forensic pathologist but I blame that on a series of books I was reading at the time.

What did you become?
An editor – but I still have a lot to learn.

What's your official title?
Editor, WQ magazine

What's your background - how did you end up here?
My background is short. I did a Bachelor of Arts at UQ with majors in English and writing. I worked in a bookshop for a bit and volunteered at Queensland Writers Centre (QWC) in my spare time, working on the monthly magazine and helping with the 2009/10 print edition of The Australian Writer’s Marketplace. Volunteering at QWC led to my current position; I was in the right place at the right time.

How would you describe your work to a complete stranger?
I put together WQ, the monthly magazine of Queensland Writers Centre. WQ examines issues and topics within the Australian writing community, with a strong Queensland focus. My job involves organising the theme, commissioning the articles, generating advertising, proofing, getting the magazine to print on time, and all the other jobs you need to do to get a magazine into the hands of the reader.

What's the first thing career related you usually do each day?
First thing I usually do is answer emails and read blogs.

Can you describe an "average" working day for you?
It depends what part of the production cycle I’m up to. Most days are spent answering emails, working on the current issue (proofing copy, getting the magazine ready for the designer or printer), talking to advertisers, or planning for an upcoming issue (coming up with content ideas, contacting writers, sending out contracts, gathering information for the next issue).

Who or what in the arts world most inspires you?
Judith Jones – a Senior Editor and Vice President at Knopf publishers. I admire her for her work with some of America’s leading food writers. I love cooking and would love to one day work on a food magazine or cookbook.

What's the toughest challenge you've dealt with on the job?
I had a pretty steep learning curve when I started. While I’d been working part-time on the magazine for about a year, doing various bits and pieces, suddenly having the whole job to do was intense. But nothing beats learning on the job (and making a few mistakes along the way). Shortly after I started, the magazine went through a redesign process – not just cosmetic but also a concept overhaul as part of our goal of making it a national subscription magazine. That felt a bit like jumping into the deep end. But I think the end result is fantastic!

What's the best piece of advice you were ever given for your career?
It is common sense really but I was told once to not be afraid to talk to the writer you are working with when it comes to editing – especially when you come across something in their work that confuses you. It might just be a simple typing error that the writer isn’t aware of. I know that seems very obvious, but it was good to be told that I should keep communication lines, between a writer and myself, open.
What are the top three skills you need in your particular role?
Good planning skills, time management, and an eye for detail.

What's the best thing about your job?
I love seeing the finished product – having the mag in my hands and seeing it (hopefully) have come together thematically and be an issue that other people will find informative, interesting and engaging. That lasts about ten minutes and then I’ve falling in love with the next issue I’m working on.

And the worst?
Selling ads! I’m not very good at the marketing side of things so while I do love hitting my sales targets, having the confidence to book advertisers is something I’m still working on.

And if you had to sum up your working life in a word or phrase, what would it be?
A balancing act! Keeping on deadline while making sure I’m organised for future issues sometimes makes me wish I had two brains. But QWC is such a great organisation to work for – having passionate, inspiring people around really helps motivate me.