Magazine Editing and Writing: Echo FAQ

WHO PRODUCES ECHO MAGAZINE?
Echo magazine is produced each semester in a Journalism Department course called College Magazine Workshop. It is a 6-credit course that meets twice a week, three hours per meeting.

HOW MANY STUDENTS ARE IN THE CLASS EACH SEMESTER?
Approximately 12.

IS THE COURSE OPEN TO GRADUATE STUDENTS?
Yes.

IS ECHO MAINLY ABOUT COLUMBIA COLLEGE?
No. Echo is a publication of Columbia College Chicago, and its main audience is students in the South Loop and residents of some of the younger, hipper neighborhoods in the city.

HOW MANY PEOPLE READ ECHO? WHERE CAN I GET A COPY? DOES IT COST ANYTHING?
We distribute 30,000 copies of Echo around the Columbia College campus and various Chicago neighborhoods, free of charge.

Editorial Staff

HOW DO I GET ON THE ECHO EDITORIAL STAFF?
You must have permission of the advisers to be in the class. Then you must register for the course during registration. Contact Sharon Bloyd-Peshkin at 312.344.8918 or speshkin@colum.edu.

ARE THERE ANY OFFICIAL PREREQUISITES?
No, but the best preparation for working on Echo are the following Journalism Department courses:
Copy Editing
Magazine Article Writing
Visual Journalism
Magazine Editing

DO I HAVE TO TAKE ALL OF THESE BEFORE I CAN TAKE THE COLLEGE MAGAZINE WORKSHOP?
No, but preference will be granted to those who have.

IF I CAN'T TAKE THE CLASS, CAN I GET A FREELANCE ARTICLE PUBLISHED IN ECHO?
Possibly. Submit the article to one of the faculty advisers, or drop it in the Echo mailbox in the Journalism Department. Include your e-mail address and phone number.

Photography Staff

HOW CAN I BE A PHOTO EDITOR/PHOTOGRAPHER ON THE ECHO STAFF?
The class contains two to three staff photographers each semester. They register for the course and attend each class. They must have permission of Echo Adviser Elio Leturia. Call 312.344.8915 to make an appointment to show your portfolio.

ON WHAT BASIS ARE THE PHOTO EDITORS/PHOTOJOURNALISTS CHOSEN?
Upperclassmen are given priority. They are chosen based on the skill and experience level demonstrated in their portfolio, and if the have done the type of work a magazine like Echo uses. They also must have a flexible schedule to accommodate plenty of shoots.

IF I CAN'T TAKE A CLASS, CAN I BE A FREELANCE PHOTOGRAPHER?
Yes. If you want to be considered, contact Elio Leturia and then make an appointment with the photo editors to show your portfolio. The photo editors will keep your contact informaton and will call you if they wish to request a shoot.

ARE FREELANCE PHOTOGRAPHERS PAID?
No, but the film and processing is paid for by the school if you use the lab where Echo has an account.

DOES ECHO USE FREELANCE ILLUSTRATORS?
Yes. Illustrators interested in contributing to Echo should contact Elio Leturia to make an appointment to show their portfolio.