Wrapping Up March/April Mn Moments Issue

We are just wrapping up the March/April issue of Minnesota Moments as I write this. People are always amazed at how early we have to get an issue done in order to get it printed and in people’s mailboxes or on newsstands by the beginning of the publication cycle.

Besides the writing, photography, editing and design that go in to each publication, a series of proofs is printed and read by several loyal wordsmiths. Without their help, the magazine wouldn’t be what it is.

I’m sure we make mistakes from time to time, that’s only natural. But we try to minimize their numbers by rigorously proofing the magazine several times on its journey to the printing plant in Long Prairie.

Besides each story being edited before the layout process has begun, the stories are proofed twice on paper and once more electronically, by a number of different people. These people don’t get credit for their work, but they truly are the unsung heroes.

And no sooner does one issue of the magazine come out, than work begins on the next issue. And in some cases, we work a year ahead. That’s a necessity, especially if you want photographs that look like they were taken during the season in which the magazine eventually is published. For instance, our November/December issue is printed in mid-October, before Halloween. Not a lot of snowmen and Christmas trees to photograph at that time of year. And with a press deadline of mid-February for our March/April issue, we couldn’t shoot anything this time of year that would resemble springtime, even in Minnesota, where springtime sometimes looks a lot like winter.

Mike