Magazine masterclasses

Have you ever thought about starting your own travel magazine? Or how about a food magazine?

If the answer to either of the above is yes, you’re not on your own. I’ve written before about the amazing number of good independent travel magazines out there, and food magazines are another growth area (watch out for new title Mouth launching soon).

But that’s not to say there aren’t plenty of pitfalls awaiting the would-be magazine maker. Whether it’s print or distribution, design or funding, there are all sorts of things that can go wrong with a new title, and a huge amount of knowledge that needs to be shared. That’s why I’m helping to put on a pair of magazine masterclasses at the Guardian next month.

How to Publish an Independent Travel Magazine takes place on Tuesday 2 April, and will benefit from the wise words of Davey Spens, editor of the fantastic Boat magazine, and Conor Purcell, who is flying in from Dubai to talk about his new title We Are Here.

The following week, on Tuesday 9 April, we’ll switch attention to our stomachs for How to Publish an Independent Food Magazine. Starring Tim Hayward, editor of Fire & Knives and publisher of Gin & It, and Dave Lane, co-founder and art director of The Gourmand, we’ll be taking a look at how you get a food magazine off the ground – and how you keep it running.

Tickets to both evenings are available now and we’re expecting lots of interest, so don’t miss out. This will be a rare chance to get deep into the practicalities of magazine making with the people who are doing it for themselves.