We catch up with the team at So So Gay, this time with new editor Ade Bradley! As Ade says himself, “everyone loves hot boys”, but this website can offer something broader than that: “quality articles and topical features” as well as a voice and platform for the LGBT audience.
About the publication:
Congratulations on becoming the new editor at So So Gay! When did you officially start your editorship at the magazine?
I officially started on Monday 21 November, so I’m still pretty new. But I’ve written for the magazine for more than a year now, so I’ve got a good feel for how it works.
Do you have any plans on how you’ll develop the magazine and entice new readers to the website?
It’s been growing remarkably quickly over the last 12 months, so I have a great foundation to build on. Over the next few months there’ll be even more of a concentration on news and features alongside the great interviews and reviews we publish. We also intend to launch technology and fashion sections this year.
What will make So So Gay stand out in the LGBT magazine market?
So So Gay is the largest online LGBT features magazine. Quality articles and topical features are the hallmark of So So Gay and keeps the readers coming back. There are a lot of websites that are filled with gossip and hot boys, and whilst everyone loves hot boys we are able to offer something much broader than that.
Do you think there is enough LGBT-focused media out there at the moment?
I think LGBT people are very underrepresented in the media, particularly women and transgender people. Any publication that can give LGBT people a voice and a platform is welcome on the market.
Is there anyone you would love to interview for the magazine, or a topic you’d really like to run a feature on in the future?
We would love to get an email interview with the prime minister – we’ve interviewed the leader of the Scottish Conservatives already, so it would be the obvious next step.
But also, Lady Gaga – we are waiting for your call!
What kind of features/interviews do you have coming up in the next few months that you’re excited about?
We’ve got features on World Aids Day, our favourite charities, family and adoption coming up over the next few months. We’ve also got lots of interviews in the pipeline: politicians, pop stars and film makers. Watch this space.
About PRs:
Do you work closely with PRs or do you keep them at arm’s length?
We’re happy to work with PRs that have read our magazine and can give us opportunities and stories that will appeal to our readers. The more advance warning and support from PRs that we get, a more detailed feature can be produced.
If you could make one change to the way PRs deal with you, what would it be?
Read our website first – we get tonnes of press releases about homeopathy – we have no plans on running stories about homeopathy.
How should a PR approach you about their client?
Email is probably the best way to get in touch with us – info@sosogay.org – and we’ll the right writer to get in touch with them about the story.
What information/input from PRs is most useful to you?
Explain what it is that your promoting, and what you are offering. Let us know straight away if there are interview opportunities, preview DVDs or sample products available.
When is the best time for PRs to contact you, and what is your deadline for contributions?
We run a pretty fluid deadline – one of the benefits of being an online publication. The more notice a PR gives us of a release date the bigger the story will be that we’ll be able feature.
About you:
Describe a typical day at work: What are your editorial duties/responsibilities at the outlet (e.g. commissioning, subbing, features, interviewing)?
As editor, my work is generally dealing with pitches from my writing team and subbing and scheduling work for publication. I’m also distributing pitches that have come in to us from PRs.
What interests you most about your job so far?
Coming up with new ideas for features and ways to keep our readers excited and coming back to us.
Where have you worked previously, and how did you end up in your current position?
I’ve been a government press officer and I’m still a press officer in the not-for-profit sector. I started off with a passion for theatre reviewing and that built up into a writing career with So So Gay. That culminated in becoming the editor.
Do you tweet? Why, why not?
I am a very profilic tweeter – @adebradley is me. It is invaluable as a networking tool as well as a way of letting people know about our great stories.
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