The feature article section of a consumer or business-to-business publication is managed by a features editor. The nature of a features section varies by publication category; for example, features in a women’s magazine may cover beauty or health issues, whereas features in a publication aimed at travel professionals may cover luxury or family-friendly vacations. The features editor, regardless of the type of publication, is responsible for creating this section for each issue. Conceiving and assigning story ideas, commissioning freelancers, editing copy, establishing industry contacts, and liaising with other departments of her publication to discuss issues such as illustrations and layout are just a few of her responsibilities. If she works for a small publication, she might be in charge of writing features as well.
A features editor frequently serves as the department’s manager. She might get together with a group of staff writers to come up with article ideas. Typically, she will shape proposed article topics based on her knowledge of the publication’s outlook and area of specialization. She may delegate a feature idea to one of her employees once it has been established. She could also work with freelancers, commissioning articles and setting pay rates.
The features editor is often in charge of ensuring that an article is fit for publication after it has been submitted. She has the authority to review each article and, if necessary, return it to the author with revision suggestions. She usually decides on the final content of each issue’s features section, including whether or not assigned articles will be published and in what order.
The features editor may also need to establish industry contacts to improve the quality of her section, depending on the nature of the publication for which she works. An editor at a fashion magazine, for example, is likely to be in charge of numerous stories about the latest fashion and accessory trends. As a result, she may find it beneficial to form relationships with designers and stylists who can provide valuable insight into new styles or outfit photo shoots.
A features editor frequently communicates with the other departments of her publication. She might collaborate with the art department to get illustrations for the stories in her section. She may also report to an editor-in-chief, who oversees all departments of the publication to ensure that their sections are of acceptable quality and consistent with the magazine’s overall vision.