While it may sound as if I need to go to conference rehab, I say “No, no, no!”

I attend all these conferences simply because I love learning and I love sharing what I’ve learned.

At Y’all Connect, a blogging and social media conference held in Birmingham, I learned about the importance of knowing your audience, that helping someone for free today can actually pay off big tomorrow, the value of visual content, and much more.

At BlogHer ’14 in San Jose, California, I got inspired to blog as if my life depends on it. (And I got to meet Arianna Huffington and share the same air with Kerry Washington!)

And at the Bloganista Mini-Con, a conference for fashion, fitness and lifestyle bloggers that I hosted through See Jane Write Birmingham, I was inspired by speakers like Megan LaRussa Chenoweth to work on taking my writing career and See Jane Write to higher heights.

Last month I attended WordCamp Birmingham and a talk by Reneta Tsankova, chief operations officer at SiteGround.com, helped me see branding in a new way. So often blogging gurus and social media marketers tell us writers and entrepreneurs that we need to see ourselves as brands. And that just sounds dirty! Thinking of yourself as a brand can feel cheap, shallow, or even dehumanizing. But Tsankova talked about branding in a way that really resonated with me. She said that when it comes to branding we should focus on values.

What are your values? How will you showcase these values? What makes you (or your business) different? What do other people think makes you (or your business) different?

Drafting a list of values for the See Jane Write network was simple. I value self-expression through storytelling and the written word, women’s empowerment, wellness (especially exercise and physical fitness), and Birmingham — I am devoted to making my city a better place. While I’m not sure what other people think makes See Jane Write different from other networking groups, I believe we offer a safe space for women to learn about blogging, business, writing, and social media — a place without pressure or pretense.

Thanks to all these conferences I attended this summer I feel I am truly headed to the next level as a writer, as an entrepreneur, and even as a woman.

This month I’ll be posting articles that are all somehow tied to the importance of learning. I hope they will inspire as much as this summer’s conferences inspired me.

xo,

Javacia Harris Bowser

Founding Editor

Birmingham writers, mark your calendars for Saturday, Feb. 1. On this day the Birmingham Public Library will present its annual Local Authors Expo. This expo gives local authors an opportunity to sell their books, network with other writers, and attend free workshops. This year, See Jane Write will present a workshop on how authors can use social media to reach readers and promote their work.

The See Jane Write social media workshop, set for 1 p.m., will be led by yours truly and authors Stephanie Naman and Kathryn Lang. Naman, author of the novel Murder on the First Day of Christmas, has not only had great success with social media networks such as Twitter and Pinterest but she also blogs as the main character of her book at Chloe Gets a Clue. Naman will discuss best practices for blogging and using social media. Lang, who has published ten books, has a knack for helping people develop self-marketing plans that get to the heart of their writing goals. She will share her writing wisdom at the session too.

I’m also quite excited about the morning workshop “How to Write While Having a Life.” This session is set for 10 a.m. and will be led by young adult author and full-time teacher Anne Riley. Riley will explain how to make writing a book a manageable task when you also have a job and a family.

The Birmingham Public Library Local Authors Expo will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 1 at the Central branch of the Birmingham Public Library, located at 2100 Park Place in downtown Birmingham. This event is free and open to the public. For more information visit bplonline.org.

By Javacia Harris Bowser, See Jane Write Magazine Founding Editor

Dirty dishes, dirty laundry, and old episodes of NCIS — all these things posed a serious threat to the launch of See Jane Write Magazine. 

This summer Atticus gave me the opportunity to work in one of the co-working spaces at SocialVenture. The first day I worked at SocialVenture I got more done in two hours than I had in two weeks! Currently, SocialVenture serves as the workspace for programs like Teach for America. 

 

 

 

SocialVenture also has great meeting spaces — including small meeting rooms and a large conference room equipped with Wi-Fi, high quality audio capabilities, large HD monitors, projectors and more. This month’s Birmingham Girls Club Conference, at which I had the honor of leading a session on writing, was held at SocialVenture. 

 

 

It’s about to be that time again; it’s almost time to blog like crazy!

Last year I challenged the women of See Jane Write and some of my other blogger buddies to “blog like crazy.” The challenge was simple: for the month of November post new content to your blog every day. That’s a new blog post every day for the 30 days. Sure, it sounds simple, but if you’re a blogger you know that posting every day is a lot easier said than done.

But many ladies of See Jane Write gladly stepped up to the challenge, posting daily and sharing their posts in the See Jane Write Birmingham Facebook group and on Twitter using the hashtag #bloglikecrazy.

Starting Nov. 1 we’re going to #bloglikecrazy again this year. I hope you’ll join us. You don’t have to be a member of See Jane Write or live in Birmingham to participate. You just need a blog and willingness to write.

I’ll be blogging like crazy at my personal blog The Writeous Babe Project.

You may be wondering why you should bother blogging every day. Some people believe that writing daily can kill your creativity or result in sub-par content. While I believe there is some truth in those statements I also believe in the power of practice. Natalie Goldberg, author of Writing Down the Bones explained this notion best:

This is the practice school of writing. Like running, the more you do it, the better you get at it. Some days you don’t want to run and you resist every step of the three miles, but you do it anyway. You practice whether you want to or not. You don’t wait around for inspiration and deep desire to run. It’ll never happen, especially if you’re out of shape or have been avoiding it. But if you run regularly, you train your mind to cut through or ignore your resistance. You just do it. And in the middle of the run, you love it. When you come to the end, you never want to stop. And you stop, hungry for the next time.

This summer I exercised every day for 30 days as I was working to complete Jillian Michael’s 30 Day Shred workout plan. This meant that one night, after a very busy day and an evening spent at a friend’s birthday dinner, I had to exercise at 10:30 p.m. with a belly full of Indian food. But I was determined not to skip a day. That month I likened exercise to brushing my teeth and in November I’ll do the same with blogging. You don’t skip brushing your teeth because you’re too tired or too busy, do you? (I sure hope not.)

I believe that choosing not to write simply because you don’t feel like will, in the long run, hurt your craft because you won’t learn the discipline and dedication necessary to succeed at writing.

You may be thinking, “But what if I have nothing to write about?”

Don’t worry. I have you covered. Below are prompts for each day of #bloglikecrazy. Now, you don’t have to follow these prompts to participate. But these suggestions are here in case you find yourself experiencing blogger’s block and staring at a blank computer screen.

If you plan to participate in #bloglikecrazy leave your blog URL and your Twitter handle in the comments and please spread the word to your friends.

#bloglikecrazy writing prompts

1. November Intentions. What are your goals and intentions for the month?

2. Why do you blog? Why are you choosing to #bloglikecrazy this month?

3. How do you blog? Tell your readers about your writing process.

4. Shelf Pleasure. Tell us what you’re reading right now or tell us about your favorite books.

5. Currently. Share with your readers what you’re into at the moment. Check out this post for ideas: http://www.writeousbabe.com/2012/11/currently.html

6. What’s your favorite TED Talk? Share one of your favorite TED Talk videos and tell us why you love it.

7. Blogging Bucket List. What are your goals for your blog and for yourself as a blogger?

8. There’s an app for that! Tell your readers about your favorite apps.

9. Hey Girl. Write a post in honor of girlhood.

10. What do you believe in?

11. Liberty. How do you define freedom?

12. Shout out your tweeps! Tell us who you follow on Twitter and why.

13. Write a how-to piece.

14. Write a how NOT to piece. Check out this post for inspiration: http://avajae.blogspot.com/2013/04/how-not-to-write-blog-post.html

15. Body Beautiful. Write a post celebrating a part of your body.

16. Who What Wear. Write a post about fashion or beauty. Yes, even if you’re not a fashion or beauty blogger.

17.  What about your friends? Write a post celebrating friendship.

18. Controversy. Write a post on a controversial topic.

19. Tube Time. Do a video blog post.

20. Mission Possible. Write your personal mission statement or manifesto. You can find examples here, here, and here.

21. Q&A. Do a Q&A with someone you admire.

22. Write a post on how to beat burnout.

23. See Jane Eat. You’re probably thinking a lot about food right now as you are preparing for Turkey Day! Write a blog post about food.

24. Fan Girl. Write a post about something you totally geek out about.

25. A Writer and Her Workout. Write a post about fitness.

26. Girl Power Playlist. Share your favorite pro-woman anthems or your personal musical mantra.

27. Family. With the holidays on the horizon, you’re probably thinking a lot about how much you love your family (or not). Write a post about those folks you call your kin.

28. Happy Thanksgiving! Write a post expressing gratitude.

29. All I Want for Christmas… Share your holiday wish list.

30. Now what? What did you learn from this challenge? What’s next for your blog and for you?

Whether you’re a blogger, entrepreneur, journalist or author, social media should be part of your personal marketing strategy. Social media networks like Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest and Google + can help business owners connect with current and potential customers, authors and bloggers connect with readers, and journalists connect with editors and sources.

On Tuesday, Oct. 29 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. See Jane Write Birmingham and See Jane Write Magazine present I Tweet, Therefore I Am: A Social Media Panel Discussion. This event will answer the questions you have about social media and help you determine how to make social networking work for you.

I Tweet, Therefore I Am: A Social Media Panel Discussion will be held at REV Birmingham’s SocialVenture, 5529 1st Ave. South in Woodlawn.

The event costs $5 in advance, $10 (cash only) at the door. You can purchase advance tickets here. The event is free for official See Jane Write members. (Visit the See Jane Write Birmingham blog to learn how to become a member.)

Last week I had the opportunity to return to my alma mater, the University of Alabama, and give a talk to students in the communications department. This event was hosted by the Capstone Association of of Black Journalists (CABJ), UA’s chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ). I was honored to speak at this gathering because not only am I a graduate of of Alabama, but I was once president of CABJ.

The CABJ faculty adviser who asked me to address the students asked that I simply share with them three things I wish someone would have told me when I was in college. Believe it or not, that was quite easy for me to do. I know exactly what I wish I could go back and tell my younger self.

“Don’t be afraid to leave home or to go back.”

I grew up in Birmingham and like most folks from Alabama I spent my teen years talking about how I couldn’t wait to leave. And I did. First in short spurts, doing an internship at The Courier-Journal in Louisville, Ky., the summer of 2002 and then returning to Louisville the following summer for an internship with the city’s Associated Press bureau. Then in 2003 I moved to California for grad school. I went to UC Berkeley for my master’s and I spent some time in Seattle doing an internship at The Seattle Times.  After I graduated from Berkeley I went back to Louisville to work as a full-time features reporter. (You probably noticed the Louisville theme. Yes, there was a boy involved. Yes, he’s now my husband.)

So I left home, just as I had hoped, but each time I had the opportunity to leave home I was completely terrified – especially when I went to California and to Seattle because I was so far away from home and I knew no one there when I arrived. I found the woman I lived with in Seattle on Craig’s List!

But it’s OK to be scared. In fact, my life’s mantra is a quote by Eleanor Roosevelt who once said: “Do one thing every day that scares you.”

I grew so much as a person and as a writer when I was away from home, so I believe that everyone should be willing to leave home. But I also think that you shouldn’t be afraid to go back.

I moved back to Birmingham in 2009 and I spent my first couple of years back thinking I’d made a huge mistake. But within the past year I have realized that it was one of the best decisions I could have made, which leads me to the next piece of advice I would give my younger self:

“Things may not turn out the way you planned, and that’s OK.”

I spent my teen years not only hoping to leave Birmingham but also dreaming of starting my own magazine.

I wanted to be a media maven.

I had it all planned out. After studying journalism in college I would move to New York and soon get hired at Essence where I’d work my way to the top to become editor-in-chief like my idol Susan L. Taylor. Then, after I’d made my mark, I would start a magazine of my own.

But after grad school my magazine dreams were deferred.

My plans to live in New York faded once I fell in love with and married a man who preferred living in a smaller city. I snagged a features writing gig right out of grad school, but as the print journalism industry began to suffer, as magazines folded and newspapers laid off staff, the idea of starting a magazine became laughable.

As things started to get rough at my paper in Louisville I started looking for a Plan B. When I was in graduate school I taught communications and poetry classes to undergraduate students and absolutely loved it. So I decided I would try teaching full time and I moved back to Birmingham to do that.

Even though I love teaching and I grew to love Birmingham I wondered if I’d made a mistake. I missed writing and Birmingham hardly seemed the ideal place for an aspiring media maven.

But it was in Birmingham that I started See Jane Write Birmingham, a networking organization for local women writers, bloggers and journalists.  I doubt an organization such as this one would have been very special in a place like New York, but in Birmingham, the residents embraced my idea. I hosted panel discussions, workshops, and networking events and people showed up!

In Birmingham, I also became fascinated with blogging and building online communities. And then finally it hit me: I could start an online blog-style magazine.

And on July 1, 2013 this website was born.

I am convinced that See Jane Write Magazine could have only come to be in Birmingham, in my hometown.

So that’s why I say one shouldn’t be afraid to leave home or to go back.

“It really is all about who you know.”

People say nice guys finish last, but I say that’s a lie.

See Jane Write – both the organization and the magazine – have been possible because of all the connections I have made since I moved back home.  I had to start from scratch because I had never lived in Birmingham as a working adult. But I did and still do some sort of networking daily.

And because of these connections when I have See Jane Write events, people show up. When I needed sponsors for the See Jane Write Magazine launch party, a dozen businesses signed up to help out.

People support me because I’m not a jerk. They help me because while See Jane Write does offer something valuable I work to let people know I value them as well — not just as writers or bloggers or business owners — but as beautiful human beings.

In addition to my teaching job and the work I do with See Jane Write, I also freelance for a number of local and national publications. I even have a regular gig with USA Today. But I didn’t get any of those freelance jobs because the editors were impressed by my fancy Berkeley degree. I got them because of people I met during internships, during my full-time reporting job in Louisville, or through See Jane Write. I got them because I’m not only a good writer, but I’m a good person to work with.

There is no need to step on others on your way up. Be kind. Be yourself.

Carla Jean Whitley knew she wanted a career in magazines when she was only 10 years old. But she started her journalism career in newspapers, working at The Tuscaloosa News, The Cullman Times, and The Birmingham News – all Alabama-based publications.

“I can’t say enough about how valuable my newspaper experience was,” Whitley says. “I had a chance to write, copy edit, line edit and design.

Still her magazine dreams were alive and well.

“When I heard there was an editorial opening at Birmingham magazine, I compiled my materials in 10 minutes flat,” she says. “I had interned at the magazine, and in the process I fell in love with city and regional titles. I always thought, ‘If I could get THAT job, I’d be set!’”

Whitley’s first day as associate editor of Birmingham magazine was Dec. 1, 2006, and she became managing editor on July 9, 2009.

“As I approach the seven-year mark at the magazine, I am so lucky to say that I’m working in my dream job,” Whitley says.

We talked to Whitley about her thoughts on the future of journalism, on her plans to write a book, and much more.

SJW Magazine: Why do you think Birmingham magazine continues to survive at a time when many print publications are folding?

Whitley: We’ve got nearly 52 years of history on our side. The magazine was launched in December 1961 by the Birmingham Regional Chamber of Commerce (now the Birmingham Business Alliance), and over time grew into the consumer publication it is today. However, I don’t think success is all about that longevity. The magazine has evolved with the community, and we constantly work to ensure our coverage reflects the metropolitan area we cover.

City and regional magazines have also been something of an anomaly during trying times. Although no publication is immune to economic and industry changes, these types of titles have held strong across the nation. Perhaps it’s because we offer readers an intimate experience with the cities they call home. In any case, I’m grateful to be part of it.

Why do you still believe in journalism despite the state of the industry? 

I believe journalism is a changing—certainly not a dying—industry. And while the pace of that change seems to have accelerated in recent years, I don’t think change itself is new. Heck, I remember designing pages by hand and marking photo crops with wax pencil when I was a high-school yearbook editor! And of course, that’s all digital these days.

But at its heart, I believe journalism is storytelling. Stories, whether fiction or nonfiction, news or features, bring us closer to other people. They give us insight into our communities and neighbors. Stories shed light on government activity and on opportunity for improvement in any realm.

Speaking of stories, we heard you recently landed a book deal. Tell me more!

Several months ago a reputable independent publisher contacted me about the possibility of writing a book. I was flabbergasted. Who doesn’t want to receive that email?! We began a conversation about what might appeal to me and their demographic. They focus on historical books, and I was kicking around ideas with the Alabama editor. We landed on an Alabama music-oriented topic, and now things are off and running.

I have begun research for the book, and will begin interviews this month. It will be a fairly quick turnaround; my manuscript is due in April, and the book is scheduled to be on shelves in July. Right now, I’ve set aside a few hours every Tuesday night for book work, but I expect the pace to increase over time. The first step is breaking through the mental block of “oh my gosh, I have to write a book!” I think I have done that and am now in the “let’s get ‘er done!” phase. I’m looking at the project as 13 feature stories rather than a book. I know how to write a feature; writing a book is overwhelming!

It’s also quite a juggling task. I’ve got my full-time work at Birmingham magazine, of course, and that takes center stage in my writing life. But I also freelance a bit and teach at the university level. And then there’s my non-writing life! This fall is going to be a balancing act, but I’m excited about all that awaits.

(Whitley will be documenting her writing and publishing adventures at PostScript, the blog of Birmingham-area shop Church Street Coffee and Books.)

What advice would you give to a woman hoping to have success in the magazine business?

Start writing! Seek every opportunity you can for improvement. And reach out to the editors you would like to work with. I’m always happy to grab coffee with a potential freelancer or someone who is hunting for a job, whether we have an opening or not—and we typically do not. There is so much wisdom to be gained by merely talking to people whose careers you admire, and most people I know offer that help freely.

Yes, that does mean you can ask me out to coffee. My email is cwhitley@Bhammag.com, and I’m usually fairly flexible!

Birmingham-area readers, you can meet Carla Jean Whitley and other editors of Birmingham-based publications at the See Jane Write Meet the Press Media Mixer presented by Hamer Law Group. This is an invitation-only event. Invitations will be extended to See Jane Write members and sponsors. For more information email seejanewritemag@gmail.com.

In the interest of full disclosure I should tell you that this week’s Man of the Hour, Edward Bowser, is my husband. He’s also the behind-the-scenes copy editor for See Jane Write Magazine and is paid only in hugs and kisses. But those things have nothing to do with why I’m featuring him on the website this week.

With nearly 10 years of experience in the newspaper industry, Edward (sorry I can’t refer to my husband by his last name) has plenty of wise words to offer on the world of journalism. He started his career as a copy editor at The Courier-Journal in Louisville, Ky. , where he worked for eight years. Edward then worked in advertising for a few years. It was during that time that he discovered the power of social media while serving as the agency’s community manager. Last year Edward returned to his first love – newspapers. Today Edward is a community engagement specialist for The Birmingham News and AL.com.

Edward will join other editors on Aug. 22 at our Meet the Press Media Mixer set to be held in Birmingham, Ala.

SJW Magazine: What exactly is a community engagement specialist? 

Edward: My role of community engagement specialist can be broken down into three main components: 1) I’m a part of the Birmingham News’ editorial board, where I weigh in on key issues around our city and nation. I also focus a lot on issues that specifically affect the young professional community. 2) I help manage the AL.com’s social media channels, using Facebook, Twitter and Google Plus to share our writers’ stories and stimulate positive conversation. 3) I work as a community ambassador, organizing and attending that help bridge the gap between the newsroom and community.

It combines my three major passions – editorializing, social media and community service – into one role. I enjoy every minute of it.

 What are the keys to writing good opinion pieces?

The No. 1 rule for writing a good op-ed is to have an informed opinion. Everyone has an opinion, but backing up your statements with hard facts and engaging writing will make an impression on readers. Your op-ed also needs to be clearly focused. Stick to one topic and ride it all the way through. Meandering muddles your point.

Do your research, stand firm on your position and write in a clear and engaging manner. Whether or not your readers agree with your position, those tips will help them broaden their thinking.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to write opinion pieces for an online publication but they’re afraid to receive negative comments?

When it comes to opinion writing, negative comments come with the territory. And in this era of online anonymity, that has only increased. But if you’re truly passionate about your topic, you can’t let naysayers rattle you.

As I mentioned earlier, it’s important that you do your research and support your line of thinking with solid facts. That way, when the haters come a-calling (and they will), you’ll have a solid foundation to stand on. When critics attempt to pick apart my work in the comments section, I literally copy and paste paragraphs from my own column to refute their claims. They almost always back down (likely because they didn’t even finish reading the column before they started complaining). Believe in what you write and stand by it.

Remember, you don’t write op-eds to get cheers. You write them to offer a fresh perspective on an important topic.

What is your response to people who think journalism and newspapers are dying? 

Journalism was born from the human desire to know more about the world around us. That curiosity and thirst for knowledge will never die. However, technology is evolving at a rapid pace and the world of media is rapidly attempting to catch up. Sure, the way we consume media is changing, and along with that change, we’ll stumble a bit to find our footing. But as long as we’re guided by the basic principles of journalism – accuracy, the pursuit of truth, and serving as a moral compass – good journalism will survive no matter what device delivers our news.

Birmingham-area readers, you can meet Edward Bowser and other editors of Birmingham-based publications at the See Jane Write Meet the Press Media Mixer presented by Hamer Law Group. This is an invitation-only event. Invitations will be extended to See Jane Write members and sponsors. For more information email seejanewritemag@gmail.com.

As senior editor of travel and integrated content at Southern Living magazine, Erin Shaw Street seems to have a dream job. After all she does get to visit places like New Orleans and the Florida Keys and call it work.

“It is a dream job,” Street says, “but it’s a lot of hard work.”

At Southern Living’s offices in Birmingham, Ala., Street manages all of the magazine’s regional travel content. Southern Living covers 17 states and six different regions, producing targeted content for each one. Street’s job includes managing freelance writers and staff editors, managing the Daily South (the magazine’s daily blog), and working on strategic initiatives across print and digital.

“I’m always working on multiple issues — editing copy, planning visuals, and figuring out the puzzle pieces of telling the stories of a large region,” Street says.

And, of course, as travel editor Street’s job obviously requires a lot of traveling.

“It’s important that I’m traveling the region to keep up to date on what’s happening,” Street says. “Part of my travel is reporting and the remainder of my travel is for speaking on behalf of the brand.”

You’re probably tired just reading about all the work Street does.

“People tend to only see the fun side, but there are a lot of sacrifices and long hours,” Street says. “This is a rapidly changing, competitive industry. Still, I wouldn’t trade it for the world.”

 News Woman

Street began her career as a newspaper reporter working in Birmingham, Ala., and Sarasota Fla.

Her years in the newspaper business taught her the fundamentals of reporting, writing, and working under pressure, Street says.

In 2001, she moved back to Birmingham from Florida and took a job at the UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center, where she managed their quarterly magazine. She spent seven years there, eventually serving as the Director of Community Affairs, and thought she would continue in the non-profit sector. But when an opportunity became available at Southern Living in 2008 she seized it, first working for the Health & Beauty section, before it was discontinued, and then moving to the Travel department.

“As I learned to become a magazine editor, I also saw the need to learn digital skills, so I taught myself.” Street says.

And those digital skills came in handy when she helped the magazine launch its blog, the Daily South, last year.

“We launched the site nearly a year ago because we needed a portal for original, up-to-the minute content that reflects all areas of our brand: food, homes, garden and travel,” Street says. “Our editors are the foremost authorities in these areas, so the Daily South gives them a place to connect with readers 365 days a year. Also, as a brand we recognize the importance of being in the digital and mobile space. The Daily South is part of a larger effort to reach our readers any time, any where.”

The Daily South is just one example of ways Southern Living is striving to remain relevant.  They recently launched Southern Living Hotel Collection, a carefully chosen selection of four- and five-star resorts, hotels and inns, vetted by the Southern Living brand and offering the best in Southern travel and hospitality.

Loyalty and Longevity

Street believes Southern Living continues to survive tumultuous times in the magazine industry in part because of loyal readers.

“Everywhere we travel we hear, ‘My mother loves the magazine, and saves them all.’ This means the world to us,” Street says. “Our leadership has been strategic in continuing to provide loyal readers what they’ve always come to this brand for — service that reflects our pride of place as Southerners. We’ve also reached out to the next generation of readers, creating content that reflects their lifestyle.”

Summing up the Southern Living strategy, Street says, “We have to do things in bold, new ways, while staying true to our foundations.”

The Editor of the Future

For women hoping to develop a career freelancing for magazines, Street says it’s important to cultivate relationships with editors.

“This means taking the time to understand what kind of stories the magazine is looking for,” Street says. “Most of the pitches I receive are from writers who haven’t read the magazine and become familiar with our new formats. So when I get a carefully customized pitch, tailored to our format, it gets my attention.”

Street says it’s also important to consider the visual aspects of stories as well.

For those hoping to land a staff position at a magazine Street says “becoming a 360 editor is vital.”

Street recently attended an intensive magazine publishing course at Yale University where she and others in attendance spent much time talking about the editor of the future.

“She is someone with the ability to curate for a brand in print and online,” Street says. “Digital skills are a must now.”

For both aspiring freelancers and aspiring editors, Street offers this advice:

“To be successful in this industry you must know your reader, your subjects, have a voice, be able to handle a large volume of work, and be able to adapt to change. How we do things today will not be the same in six months or a year. Many people have struggled with the pace of change in this industry, but if you can adapt there’s still opportunity. Finally, the fundamentals — being able to tell a good story, staying on top of trends, and having an impeccable work ethic — never change.”

Birmingham-area readers, you can meet Erin Street and and other editors of Birmingham-based publications at the See Jane Write Meet the Press Media Mixer presented by Hamer Law Group. This is an invitation-only event. Invitations will be extended to See Jane Write members and sponsors. For more information email seejanewritemag@gmail.com.

“It was all a dream/I used to read Word Up Magazine/ Salt ‘n’ Pepa and Heavy D up in the limousine…”

— Notorious B.I.G., “Juicy”

Christopher Wallace (better know as slain ‘90s rapper Notorious B.I.G.) would thumb through Word Up magazine and fantasize about one day being a hip-hop star. I spent my teen years poring over the pages of Essence Magazine dreaming of being a media maven.

I had it all planned out. After studying journalism in college I would move to New York and soon get hired at Essence where I’d work my way to the top to become editor-in-chief like my idol Susan L. Taylor. Then, after I’d truly made my mark on the magazine that had changed my life and shaped my dreams, I would start a magazine of my own.

Despite the fact that I earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in journalism and snagged a features writing job right out of grad school, my magazine dreams were deferred.

My plans to live in New York faded once I fell in love with and married a man who preferred living in a smaller city.  And as the print journalism industry began to suffer, as magazines folded and newspapers laid off staff, the idea of starting a magazine became laughable.

Then I moved to Birmingham, Ala., or I should say, I moved back to Birmingham. This Southern city is my hometown and I love it from its rich red earth to the Vulcan statue that hovers over downtown. Nonetheless, the Deep South hardly seems the ideal place for an aspiring media maven.

But it was here that I started See Jane Write Birmingham, a networking organization for local women writers, bloggers and journalists.  I doubt an organization such as this one would have been very special in a place like New York, but here in Birmingham, the residents embraced my idea. I hosted panel discussions, workshops, and networking events and people showed up!

In Birmingham, I also became nearly fascinated with blogging and building online communities.

Throughout all this my idea to start a magazine lingered like the scent of honeysuckle in summer. I tried to ignore it, thinking the success of such a project would last as long as the drop of sweetness I plucked from these plants as a girl.

To start a magazine in 2013 would be crazy, I thought to myself. Then I found this quote in my one of my journals: “Crazy just might work.”

On Feb. 26 I declared on my blog WriteousBabe.com that I would start an online magazine and that magazine would be an online extension of the organization for women writers I started in 2011.

The idea for See Jane Write Magazine was born.

I am convinced that See Jane Write Magazine could have only come to be in Birmingham, in my hometown.  For that reason, the theme for our debut month is Homegrown. Articles published this and every month, however, are for and about women writers across the country, not just those in Birmingham. But most of the articles published this month will in some way be about celebrating the places we call home.

Birmingham garnered the nickname of “The Magic City” because it grew at such a rapid pace between 1881 and 1920. But I believe it deserves this nickname because it’s a place where dreams come true.