We’re excited to introduce our newest issuu Trendspotter, Atlas Magazine co-founder and current editor in chief, Megan Breukelman. Founded in 2012, Atlas is a digital fashion magazine for the new generation of creatives. We recently had the opportunity to talk to Megan about her role as the editor of Atlas, the features she looks for in a great publication, her best piece of advice for aspiring publishers and her favorite publications from her issuu Trendspotters picks. Dive in to learn more about Megan and the making of Atlas Magazine.
Q: Hi Megan! Thanks for chatting with us here at issuu today. To get started, can you tell us a little bit about Atlas Magazine’s origin story?
MEGAN BREUKELMAN: Atlas was started in the summer of 2012 by Olivia Bossert and I. We met on Facebook and bonded over a love of fashion magazines. What was once a small project for us quickly grew to become a livelihood.
Q: Being the sole editor of Atlas Magazine, what are the challenges of running the publication alone? What is Atlas’ mission as a publication?
MB: I want to start by saying that Olivia did a great job of running Atlas without me when I left briefly to focus on my production career, so I was very happy to step in and do the same when she was ready to focus her career in photography. Although it’s just me right now, I still go to Olivia for opinions and pep talks, just as she did with me.
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One of the challenges I face running Atlas alone is the task of juggling it all. Keeping up social media, the issue production, the daily webitorial schedule–– it’s all quite hectic and I’m working hard to make it work for every contributor and reader. My mission with Atlas is to have a high quality fashion publication that takes representation and diversity seriously. The June 2017 issue is my first go at doing the entire issue alone start to finish, and I think it was a step in the right direction for what I want Atlas to be and represent.
Q: What are your three favorite publications in your issuu Trendspotters stack and why?
MB: SYN Magazine because I’ve consistently been inspired by them for years. Bethany Grace does an incredible job as editor; the consistency of SYN’s aesthetic is something hard to come across for that long of a period of time in independent publications.
LUCY’S because the photography is so contemporary, and the whole magazine really gives off vibes of straight-up cool. How eye-catching is that Summer Fashion cover shot?
Blanc Magazine is one I discovered when I was putting together my Trendspotters collection and I’m so happy I found it! This is something I want to flip through on a peaceful, breezy morning with a cup of coffee.
Q: What are a few key aspects you look for in reading a “good” publication?
MB: Good minimal design, eye-catching images and a cover I haven’t seen before. There are certain trends in photography right now that you’ll see a dozen times over –– I want a fresh point of view.
Q: What’s your biggest piece of advice for aspiring publishers hoping to start an online magazine like Atlas?
MB: Just do it. Olivia and I typically give this as our biggest piece of advice, because seriously –– we did it just by doing it … but only if you’ve got the time to dedicate to making it work!
Read Atlas Magazine on issuu and check out more publications from our issuu Trendspotters.