An editor-at-large is a
journalist
A journalist is a person who gathers information in the form of text, audio or pictures, processes it into a newsworthy form and disseminates it to the public. This is called journalism.
Roles
Journalists can work in broadcast, print, advertis ...
who contributes content to a magazine. They are typically credited in the publication's masthead, even if they technically are not on staff.
The responsibilities of the editor-at-large may change project to project, or they may have another specialist role related indirectly to the magazine itself.
Sometimes such an
editor is called a roving reporter or roving editor.Unlike an editor who works on a publication from day to day and is hands-on, an editor-at-large contributes content on a semi-regular basis and has less of a say in matters such as
layout
In general terms, a layout is a structured arrangement of items within certain limits, or a plan for such arrangement.
Specifically, layout may refer to:
* Page layout, the arrangement of visual elements on a page
** Comprehensive layout (comp), ...
,
pictures or the publication's direction.
Editor at large is a term often used in
fashion magazines, usually appointing long-term editors or celebrities. Notable examples are
Andre Leon Talley (1948-2022) of ''
Vogue'' and
Anna Dello Russo of
''Vogue'' Japan.
Preferences and purpose
Editors-at-large are more independent; they are allowed their own preferences in the content they have to generate, and they do not always have to
pitch their ideas to the main editor. Though they are still subject to the direction and oversight of
chief editors and executive editors, they frequently come up with ideas for other writers to research and write. "At large" means the editor has no specific assignments, but rather works on whatever interests them.
The position of editor-at-large is not a standing role at most publications. Instead, it is created on an as-needed basis.
The most common reason for appointing an editor-at-large is when an editor with extensive experience and long association with the publication, who has been in the role of editor for a very long time, is replaced by a new editor but kept on board by being given the title of editor-at-large.
This can be because the editor desires to go back to writing rather than stay in a largely 'management' role; because the long-time editor is burnt out and perhaps not performing; because a new editor with a different skillset or a different focus is needed; or a new publisher takes over and decides a new editor is called for.
The title of editor-at-large is offered as a way to keep the outgoing editor at the publication rather than lose his or her skills, connections and readership appeal, especially if the outgoing editor could be employed by a competing publication. Such as André Leon Talley (died 2022) for ''Vogue'', Diane WellPeth for ''Elle'' or Arnaud Henry Salas-Perez for ''Visionaire''.
References
at-large
At large (''before a noun'': at-large) is a description for members of a governing body who are elected or appointed to represent a whole membership or population (notably a city, county, state, province, nation, club or association), rather tha ...
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