Jessica Birthisel | Feb. 25, 2010
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| Photo by Olivia Barr |
| Sally Tusa Abbey, MA ’97, is managing editor at O, The Oprah Magazine. |
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In 2008, Abbey lost her job as managing editor of CosmoGirl when the magazine folded. But after a stint as a freelance writer, Abbey landed on her feet as managing editor of O, The Oprah Magazine.
Overseeing a staff of approximately 65, Abbey is responsible for shipping roughly 130 editorial pages a month in addition to collaborating with her deputy editor and editor-at-large Gayle King, whom Abbey says serves as Oprah Winfrey’s voice for the publication.
“I’m in charge of the day-to-day management of staff and deadlines,” she said.
Abbey, who previously had held a host of editorial positions at publications including Baby Talk, American Baby and iVillage parenting magazines, says meeting deadlines makes her the happiest, but adds that she also loves working with her editors, writers, photographers and artists.
“My favorite part of being a managing editor, here or at any other magazine where I’ve worked, is helping the staff,” Abbey says. “I love it when someone comes to me with a problem and I can help them fix it. That’s when I’m most proud.”
Abbey has worked her way up to this major media position one publication at a time and says she advises fledgling journalists to do the same.
“Whenever a student asks me about how to get started, I always tell them to start off at smaller magazines,” she says. “If you start at the entry level at a big magazine, you’re not going to be able to do as much. Those hands-on editing opportunities are minimal. Go somewhere small and put your hand up at every opportunity. It’s worked for me.”
Although these are challenging times for the journalism industry, Abbey says she’s optimistic about the future of magazines and the Hearst Corporation, for which she works.
“I don’t think there’s anybody in the magazine business that’s not a little nervous right now,” admits Abbey. “Having said that, things will turn around. They always do. In fact, they already are. Difficult times bring innovation. There’s definitely some great stuff brewing over here.”
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