issuu Guide:
Digital Publishing for Student Journalists
Have an Impact There are countless untold stories out there waiting for you to share with the world.
Publisher: Flash and Fuse Publication: Issue 2
Your voice is important. A story can combat ignorance, humanize people, expose corruption and destigmatize taboo topics. With writing, photography and design, you can capture the most hopeful of human endeavors — stories of strength and survival … of overcoming seemingly insurmountable odds … of persevering in the face of extreme challenges.
Where We Come In We believe young journalists are the future in the same way that digital publishing is. In this student publishing guide, we’ll walk you through everything from designing an editorial calendar and selling advertising to reporting responsibly and defending yourself from censorship. As the media sphere changes, democratization of information allows individuals to be published journalists with the click of a button. That’s why we exist. With issuu, anyone can upload their publication in just minutes to be discoverable by a worldwide audience of readers.
Publisher: Mad Sounds Publication: Issue 15
Step 1: Organization Teamwork + Hierarchy = Squad Chances are there are some mighty-talented people on your school campus, and many are looking for ways to showcase their work, improve their skills or be a voice on campus. A successful magazine can utilize es
olv cal W o L : r l lishe Apri Pub ion: t a c i l Pub
photographers, illustrators, programmers, marketers, business people ‌ the list goes on. Appeal to the opportunity for your fellow peers to have their voices heard, develop new skills, create a portfolio of work, add a powerful experience to their
Publisher: Loca l Wolves Publication: Ap ril
resume and join a new social group.
Editor-in-Chief, a.k.a. Top Dog:
Section Editors:
• Directs the magazine’s overall vision.
• Oversees the design and content
• Educates the staff about journalistic
of their respective sections.
practice, ensuring top quality work
• Guides their section’s stories
is being published. • Facilitates staff discussions, enforces deadlines for each production cycle.
through the entire editorial process. • Maintains an expertise in their section’s topic.
Business Manager:
Creative Director:
• Finds creative ways to cover expenses,
• Develops and maintains the
such as publishing/editing programs,
publication’s overall design, from
travel costs and equipment.
fonts and layout to artistic feel.
• Tracks and utilizes a system for managing the flow of money.
• Aids in the development of specific design-heavy spreads.
Copy Editor:
Staff Writers:
• Ensures no spelling, grammar or style
• Constitutes the life of your publication.
mistakes slip through. • Stays well-versed in AP Style (a standard for all journalistic writing). • Is ultimately responsible for the validity of all facts published.
• Are creative, compelling writers, bold reporters and receptive to feedback. • A diverse group of writers that collectively can dive into an array of issues.
Gathering the Story 1. Stories
2. Interviews
3. Visuals
// Have a group
// Interviews are
// Train your staff
brainstorming session
a journalist’s best tool
so everyone has basic
at the beginning of each
to collect accurate
photography skills
production cycle where
information.
and are able to shoot
all staff members share
// Always interview in
their own stories.
a list of ideas they have
person if possible,
// Seek skilled
for the next issue.
and arrive prepared
photographers and
// Editors and section
with background details
artists on your campus
editors should
and questions.
to join your team. Attract
collaboratively decide
// Be sure to record
them through calls
on which stories to run
the conversation (with
for submission.
with and who would
permission), and take
// TIP: Don’t scramble.
be best equipped
copious notes.
Think about visuals early
to write them.
// TIP: Read more about
on and try to get photos
// TIP: Students who are
how to conduct successful
during the initial stages
genuinely interested
interviews here.
of reporting.
in their assignment will try harder, so ask for input.
Refining 4. Editing
5. Consistency
6. Final Drafts
// Peer editing is the
// AP Style is the norm,
// It’s time for your copy
lifeblood of student
so every editor should
editor to go to town.
publications. Each article
be well versed in AP
Everyone should
should receive feedback
Stylebook rules and
be keeping an eye on AP
and edits from editors,
ensuring all stories
Stylebook rules and fact
fellow staff writers and
adhere to them.
checking to make sure
the copy editor. Although
// The editor-in-chief
everything you publish
this can be a lot of work,
should be looking over
is 100% accurate.
it will inevitably make
everything. In the end, they
you a better writer and
are responsible for what
improve your piece.
gets printed.
// Early checks in the
// Fact check, then check
editing process are critical
it again. Getting details
to make sure the piece is
right is essential.
going in the right direction.
// Resources:
// Resources:
AP Stylebook
Newswriting style guide
Fact checking guide
Long-form journalism guide
Assembly 7. Layout & Design
8. Final Copy Edits
together in a program like
// Either have a design
// After your page design
Preview or Adobe Acrobat.
team (can be section
is completely finished,
2. Use issuu Collaborate,
editors) put together
it’s time for the copy
which allows each individual
the whole publication,
editor to take one final
to upload their spread
or have each article laid
look and correct
onto an online flatplan, and
out and designed
any last silly mistakes
then download the entire
by its author.
or AP Stylebook errors.
magazine as a single PDF.
from fonts to images to
9. Final Assembly
11. Promote
layout. Seek inspiration
// You'll probably be
// Upload to issuu and
on issuu before beginning
working on individual
share your publication
this process.
documents, which makes
on social, embed
// Professionals use Adobe
it daunting when it’s time
it on your website and
InDesign, but Google Slides
to compile everything into
email it to all your
and Apple's Pages are
one big master document.
friends and family.
cheaper alternatives.
There are two solutions:
Celebrate, do a dance
// TIP: Employ the
1. Have everyone export
and take a nap.
principles of design, check
their documents in the
out this guide.
same format and put them
// Create your own styles,
Publisher: The Lake Publication: Issue 5
Step 2: Hone Your Craft Find a cafe, classroom, patch of grass – wherever works for you – to bring your new group together. Address the questions below in meetings one and two. After that you can follow the schedule set up in your editorial calendar.
Creating a Shared Vision — Practical Questions for Your Team to Address: • What topics do we want to cover? • What kinds of resources are available to us? • What community/group are we trying to serve? • Do we want to print physical copies? Why? • How many editions do we want to create per year? • How often do we want to meet up? • What expenses will we incur? • What is our ideal staff size?
Publisher: Artful Living Publication: Summer 2016
Publisher: Highsnobiety Publication: Issue 12
Step 3: Journalism 101
Using Your Resources An Introduction to the Biggest Advocates for the Student Press Student Press Law Center The SPLC provides information, training and legal help for student journalists. They are your go-to people if you ever need help with an ethical dilemma or censorship problem, or are seeking to educate yourself about your rights.
Journalism Education Association The JEA holds workshops, conventions and competitions for students, and serves to educate journalism teachers and advisors as well.
Columbia Scholastic Press Association The CSPA offers prestigious awards and hosts several annual conventions for journalism students.
Society of Professional Journalists The SPJ, although meant mainly for professionals, has invaluable resources for student reporters regarding ethics and law. They also have awards and conferences for students.