Wren’s Nest Publishing Company Visits the Atlanta Journal-Constitution
On Tuesday the Wren’s Nest Publishing Co. and I (henceforth: “the gang”) visited the Atlanta Journal-Constitution for a tour and an InDesign tutorial.
We were lucky enough to meet all sorts of important people. Our tour guide was one such important person — Daily Lifestyle Reporter and all-around champion, Jamie Gumbrecht. She’s peeking out below on the left.
While I do not have any more pictures, I can and will regale you with a few stories. Ready? I hope so.
Asking the Tough Questions
Jamie and the gang walked in on a meeting between Julia Wallace, Editor-in-Chief, and James Mallory, Senior Managing Editor. Mallory introduced himself by saying (in essence), “This woman is in charge and currently stomping all over my suggestions.”
Wallace asked the gang if they had any questions. Here’s how it went:
WREN’S NEST EDITOR: So, what do you think of the AJC redesign?
AJC EDITOR: What do you think about it?
WREN’S NEST EDITOR: It reminds me of USA Today.
AJC EDITOR: Is that a good thing?
WREN’S NEST EDITOR: (pregnant pause) No.
It’s a tad surreal to see the Editor of one of the most respected newspapers in the country defending her decisions to a high school junior. Apparently the AJC editors should consult the Wren’s Nest Publishing Company editors before moving forward with anything else.
Auspicious Encounters
We settled in to learn all about InDesign from the lovely Melissa Angle, Senior Designer, who was nothing short of amazing. I know this because even I could follow what she was demonstrating. That, my friends, is saying something. She was kind, generous (instructional packets!), funny, and patient.
On our way out we caught Pulitzer Prize winner Mike Luckovich in the midst of satirizing Jon and Kate, pen in hand and everything. Half-finished illustrations are tops!
Here’s the finished product.
Finally, Managing Editor Bert Roughton asked the gang if they had read any good submissions yet. One answered, “No. The one I read was REALLY bad.” I think he offered her a job on the spot.
Thank You
Can I just take a moment to appreciate the generosity of the (very important) folks who took time to hang out? Good golly. Melissa and Jamie, y’all have a box of cookies coming your way. The rest of you can mooch off of them.
Thank you all again!
Behavior Problems
Unfortunately, our hosts at the AJC weren’t the only jaw-dropping element of our time there.
I know that my concept of manners and good social graces are different than those of a 16-year-old, and I have to judge appropriately. On the other hand, would you walk into the AJC while eating french fries? Would you think nothing of arriving 20 minutes late? Of picking at your nails while the Editor-in-Chief spoke to you? Sadly, I could go on.
I have no question that each and every one of our editors knows how to behave themselves when it’s called for. So why didn’t they think this was one of those times? It makes me uneasy about cashing in all of our favors for a gang that will appear not only disinterested, but ungrateful.
Sticky as Brer Rabbit Molasses, this situation. Any advice, other than prolonged yelling and/or foot stomping?
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Amber Suitt
Program Director
Lain Shakespeare
Executive Director
9 Comments to Wren’s Nest Publishing Company Visits the Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Perhaps next time you need to give them a “speech” the day before hand, saying while you’re SURE they know what is expected of them, the very expensive lawyers employed by the Wren’s Nest are forcing you to state the following: be on time, do not bring food with you, pay attention, etc. Did they act that way at Paste too, or do you think they were more interested because they saw that as being “cooler”?
Deliver the talk and inspect the results that you want. In this case tell what you want to see. It disrespects you as well as them to behave in this fashion. You would hate to be the wicked witch of the west.
Marshall and Deb, thanks.
The talk had been given and expectations laid out, which made this all the more disappointing — especially since they were absolute perfection at Paste.
I would by lying if I said your explanation hadn’t gone through my head as well, Deb.
Wow, what a great field trip so the bad behavior is very disappointing indeed! Being an editor and representing the Wren’s Nest is an honor, not an entitlement, which it sounds as if they just don’t get. They are there to learn a business – publishing- and that type of behavior before a sales meeting or customer visit would be just cause for firing someone in the corporate world. Or at the very least, would reflect poorly come review time (read that, as no raise, no good review, no good reference to try and find another job). Sorry, Amy. It sucks that you have to be a babysitter.
Oh I know! How about a long-ish speech about fonts to make them behave?! I’ll have them eating out of my hands. Who can resist the fascinating debate of serif versus san serif body text?
Oh man…..we did appreciate our time while there Amelia!!! I hope that if we have another opportunity as such we can show how important it was to us. I apologize for the behavior and I’m sure I can speak on everyone’s behalf that it was not intended to be that way.
Thanks Bronte!
[...] When the Publishing Company Visited the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and Paste [...]
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