And the Winner is!

OK, it's not the Oscars, but for the hopefuls who attended my Photojournalism Course in the Philippines last March it might as well be. 

Yes, the results are in, Mark Evans, editor of Sport Diver UK has decided which of the articles he liked best:

"Hi Brendan,

The winner has been chosen! Virginia Fage. One of the others had a nice writing style, but was let down by pics (only seven underwater out of 20), and the other had reasonable writing and the odd nice pic, bit overall, in terms of workable text and a usable mix of pics, Virginia had the edge.

So, she will be appearing in print in the April issue...


Mark Evans
Editor
Sport Diver

The Mill
Bearwalden Business Park
Wendens Ambo
Essex
CB11 4GB

Tel: 01799 544243 (direct line)
Email: mark.evans@sportdiver.co.uk
Website: www.sportdiver.co.uk"

As you can see, it's not just all about the words, but the package you provide for the editor. Those who attended my course will remember me saying time after time how it's your job to make your article as attractive as possible for the editor. Getting them to say, "yes" is more than just doing the words, it's about providing for their every need, so when they finish reading your copy and looking over your package of photos and associated material they think to themselves, "I wish every freelancer would do this!"

Well done Virginia, and for some of the other would be contributors, there's a little surprise when the April issue comes out. Watch this space (and Sport Diver's website - there's a clue!).

Keep writing.....

Brendan

PS - I'm back! :)

Comments

[Tassie Diver]

G'day Bren

Good to see you back.

There's been recent talk in Australia about the future/validity of printed dive magazines. It's good to see your encouragement of future writers. Without them there are no magazines.

Nice work.

Cheers

Tassie Diver.

[Brendan O'Brien]

Good on yer Tassie Diver!

Thanks for the encouragement - and I'd be interested in hearing more about the future of diving magazines debate. Was it on a forum? Or is it general chit chat in the Aussie diving industry?

My view - most people will prefer a printed magazine to a web based one, although most successful magazines do both. What I do anticipate is a period of what might seem a rather brutal round of magazines folding as their advertising revenue falls.

Watch out for a future post with my thoughts on this.

Keep Writing...

Brendan