About GOOD and on to Tomorrow
On March 8, 2011, the day after I accepted the job as executive editor of GOOD, I sent a 5:15 a.m. Gchat message to my core lady: “woke up at 5am in a sweat about how hard it’s gonna be to actually run a magazine.”
While it certainly wasn’t the easiest year of my life, it was one of the most fun and most rewarding. GOOD hired me to bring a strong editorial vision to both the website and the print magazine, which was a challenge I happily accepted. After less than a year on that path, the company’s founders decided to pursue a new direction, one that is not reliant or focused on editorial content. For more information about this new direction, I’ll have to refer you to folks who still work at GOOD.
One thing that attracted me to GOOD was its distance from most traditional media outlets—and I’m not just talking about the 3,000 miles between New York and L.A. I often described it as a place with the exact opposite set of problems and challenges faced by most media companies. (I wrote about this a bit in my initial post as executive editor.) Then, as now, GOOD had no illusions about the print magazine being key to its current or future business model. It had smart ideas about social media, with leaders who weren’t stuck in the technological dark ages. It seemed to be a place where brand and community superseded subscriptions and sell-through. Although GOOD is no longer interested in defining itself as a destination for high-quality editorial content, there are a lot of lessons that journalists and media companies could—and should—learn from GOOD.
I’m excited to take those lessons and apply them to my next professional challenge. Not sure what that is just yet. I’m going to take a few weeks to chill the fuck out and think about it. I’ve always had more ideas than time to follow through on them, so this is a really exciting moment for me.
If there’s one thing I’m disappointed about, it’s that this hardworking and accomplished group of writers and editors never got to realize its full potential. A magazine (which is how we and many others have always thought of GOOD, in both its print and web iterations) is the community of people who make it, read it, see themselves reflected in it. And it’s hard to really express what a privilege it’s been to make a magazine with a group of people who aren’t just phenomenal readers, writers, editors, contributors, and designers but truly top-notch humans.
The editorial team formerly known as GOOD is going to keep working together—at least in the short term. Read about TOMORROW today.
In the meantime, we’ve still gotta eat. All of these great journalists (and one awesome designer) are for hire. If you’re assigning or hiring, lucky you. Here’s more about them:
Megan Greenwell is an exceptional editor—something that isn’t easy to find these days. She also has really smart things to say about sports—and a host of other topics. Get at her: megan.greenwell@gmail.com
Cord Jefferson. That guy can write. I mean, seriously. First-draft goosebumps! He’s especially great at telling people’s stories, whether it be in short-form or at feature length. What are you waiting for? cordjefferson@gmail.com
Tim Fernholz knows DC politics and the financial world inside and out, but still manages to write about this stuff in plain English. He is wicked smart, with a great eye for argument and thesis. Send writing assignments and job offers his way:tfernholz@gmail.com
Amanda Hess is on some next-level shit. An old-school reporter with a supermodern sensibility, and funny as hell to boot, you are a fool if you don’t ask her to write or edit for your publication: woopanda@gmail.com
Zak Stone is so fucking clever. You know that point in the editing process when your brain is mush and it feels like you’ve already used all of your good ideas and you’re running on fumes? This is when Zak shines. His ideas have taken many an issue from solid to exceptional. He is also a phenomenal writer with great story ideas. Get in touch with him: stone.zak@gmail.com
Nona Willis Aronowitz is incredibly savvy about all things politics and culture. She is a great writer and editor who’s always on top of the news but able to step back and find the fresh angle. Join the ranks of those who’ve had the pleasure of working with her! nona200@gmail.com
Dylan Lathrop is the designer and art director that most editors can only dream of working with. He has a deep appreciation for reporting and storytelling, which is reflected in his design work, illustration, infographics, and art direction. He has been the driving visual force behind all things GOOD for the past year. If you think our magazine was gorgeous, just think what this guy can do for your publication.dylan@unequal-design.com
I love these people. Please send them the best you have to offer, whether it’s just a few kind words or some posi-vibes or a job posting. They are what is best in life.
