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NSPA Forums
This is an archived NSPA Forums thread.
Michelle, 7/27/2003, 6:00:06 PM
This year I was chosen by my teacher to be the yearbook editor. After this decision, I have/ will not talk to him until the school year begins. I really do not know what I should be doing when the year begins, and would like someone to give me a quick idea of what I am responsible for. We do not have a yearbook staff as of yet, and I do not have an idea of what positions I should create for it.
Also, in the past all the yearbook has had is pictures of the students, no real articles, and nothing really interesting. If anyone has done or seen anything interesting in a yearbook in the past, i would reatly appreciate some ideas.
Thanks in advance to anyone that can help me out.
Responses
Jacob, 7/31/2003, 10:48:11 PM
I'm not sure where to begin.
As far as the responsibilities of the editor go, they are numerous. I'm afraid there is just too much to cover in this forum. However, there are countless resources; many available on the Internet. I'll get to those later.
For staff positions...
There are a couple of different ways to organize a staff, none of them particularly more efficient than the rest. Here are some ideas for staff positions
Editor(s)-in-chief
Section editors
Staff writers
Photo editor
Photographers
Business Manager
Those are very basic staff positions. You can create and adapt them to meet the needs of your publication.
Looking for fresh coverage ideas for your book? Look to the resources below:
www.walsworthyearbooks.com
www.herff-jones.com
www.jostens.com
www.columbia.edu/cu/cspa
www.yearbook.org
www.tayloryearbooks.com
"Yearbook Fundamentals" by Paul Ender, Laura Schaub and Martha Akers.
All the websites above are very helpful. I especially like Herff Jones. Almost all of the sites have everything that you're looking for. HJ has an extensive database of images of yearbook covers, spreads, etc.
The book can be ordered at the Columbia website.
Good luck!
JE
Lisa, 8/8/2003, 11:23:30 AM
As hard as this job is going to be (believe me, I know!), you'll be fine. We have a very small staff, and it sounds like you do too, and that's fine. In order to make a good book your school will like, you really only need a few very dedicated and creative people who, hopefully, will share your ideas and vision. I'm guessing you will not be working on the book over the summer, but in the future, that's what you need to do. If your staff is already chosen, meet with them and go to the Herff-Jones page mentioned before and go through the archives. They are more help than you can imagine. First things first, you need to pick a theme for your book that will be relevant to your school, and then from there, design what sections you will have (student life, academics, sports, etc). You can start this at school, but sometimes this can take a long time and end up wasting precious time needed to meet deadlines.
As an editor, you will be in charge of the staff as a whole, and make sure all pages are turned in to the plant on time, all pages are consistant with your chosen theme, the staff is working and on task (if someone isn't performing, you will be the one who has to deal with that and perhaps remove them from the staff), and design all theme-related spreads. Good luck!
Carole, 8/22/2003, 2:11:05 AM
The first year is always the hardest! I am going into my 3rd year as co-editor of a yearbook for a school of about 1300 students. Lisa is right though, it just takes a few good, dedicated students to make the book happen. As editor, be prepared to come in on weekends and to stay after school. Start thinking of theme ideas now, so you have a general idea once you start school. I'm doing the same thing for my book right now at www.walsworthyearbooks.com
Walsworth is great, they've got a large number of sample covers and theme ideas. I suggest getting an idea of what you want your book to be like-more copy, more pictures? Better copy?-that kind of thing. Set some realistic goals for yourself and your staff. Once you reach those, find ways to reward everyone, just something simple. My advisor, my co-editor or I usually bring a ton of candy or some donuts to class after we've finished something big. It keeps morale up! Don't hesitate to e-mail me (daisy_2114@yahoo.com) if you've got any more questions or anything, I'd love to help out a 1st year editor. Good luck!
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