Ontario-born Krissy Brady started Brady Magazine in May 2003. The bi-monthly online journal originally served as a virtual meeting place for writers but soon evolved into a resource centre designed to help writers achieve success.Brady Magazine is also a website chock full of resources, including forums and a freelance directory. Services include the Brady Classroom, Brady Workshops, and Brady Editing.
Ms. Brady juggles her editorial duties with an active writing career, but took time out of her busy schedule to answer a few questions.
CC: What motivated you to start Brady Magazine?
KB: I've always been interested in writing, but I wanted to make a larger contribution to the industry besides writing books. There's so much more than just becoming a published author that drives a writer to become successful (at least in my case), and I wanted to delve into the personal world of writing, as well as the professional.
CC: Why did you change the magazine's focus last year?
KB: I decided that our previous focus wasn't motivational enough. Although we were making great connections, there weren't enough resources available for us to know what to do with them. I thought that while Brady Magazine was giving a lot of advice to writers, we weren't offering the tools to back up our advice and our statements. Now not only do we provide a bi-monthly issue that offers writing news, advice, and markets, we also provide many services to personally help writers succeed, hence our new motto "putting writers on the map." I wanted to add a confident background to the advice we were offering, and I wanted to give writers the opportunity to begin using our advice immediately.
CC: What sorts of submissions would you like to see more of? Do you have any difficulty getting enough quality submissions for each issue?
KB: Luckily, I have never had problems filling an issue. In fact, I have always struggled with which submissions to choose because I receive too MUCH quality! It can be quite the challenge.
I have no problems with the submissions I am currently receiving. I am receiving a nice mix of articles from every genre of writing, which is fantastic because it makes Brady Magazine a very widespread writing magazine. I would actually like to hear more from writers on a personal level: where their writing career currently stands, what they would like to accomplish in the next year, and what we can do to help.
CC: It's always nice to see an online magazine that pays its contributors. How did you set your fees? Do you anticipate an increase in the foreseeable future?
KB: When I first decided to launch the website, I set our pay rates based on my personal budget. Now that the website is beginning to grow, I definitely see an increase in the future. I love the customer testimonials I am getting back from readers and from those who we have provided services to. This is what motivates me to keep churning out new issues.
CC: How widespread is your readership?
KB: Our readership is very widespread. We receive e-mails from writers who live all over the world: India, China, New Zealand, Australia, England...the list is endless.
CC: What have you done to promote the magazine? What's left to do?
KB: I have been sending out personal invitations to writers, inviting them to see what Brady Magazine and its site contains. I have also personally e-mailed many writing websites to exchange links, and to help them promote themselves through our many free resources. Currently I am working on budgeting a marketing campaign. I would like to receive more exposure through search engines, writing magazines, as well as writing newsletters.
CC: What do you consider your greatest achievement as a publisher? And as a writer?
KB: My greatest achievement as a publisher has definitely been helping writers find a home for their work--not just by publishing them in Brady Magazine, but by providing the resources to help them find new markets for their work. The success stories and thank you cards are very motivational for me. It feels really amazing to have helped so many writers already, since Brady Magazine hasn't even been around for two years.
As a writer, I would have to say my greatest achievement was meeting my first fan. I ran into him in a hardware store, and he blurted out, "I love your poetry." Since I have never had an encounter with someone about my writing before, I almost forgot that I was a writer! He then asked me to read one of my poems at his mother's funeral, since it described his mother and how he wanted her to be remembered. I have never been so flattered and short on words. I found it to be more than just a compliment; it was an honour.
CC: What's the most recent book you read?
KB: I am very interested in reading celebrity autobiographies, and have just completed reading Nothing is Impossible by Christopher Reeve. Now that guy can write! I have never been so drawn into a book [as] I have his. I really recommend it to those who are in need of inspiration and a new perspective.
CC: What's your best piece of advice for novice writers?
KB: I would have to say my best piece of advice would be to become a part of the writing industry personally as well as professionally. Maybe start a community workshop, or even an online magazine like I did. Not only will you find satisfaction in helping other writers, you will also feed off the energy of these accomplishments and find success in your own writing. I know in my case, if it wasn't for launching Brady Magazine, I wouldn't be half as far in my writing career as I am right now. I meet fantastic writers on a daily basis and am always on the lookout for new opportunities. While I'm researching for the new issues, I am finding new markets, new jobs, and new resources for my own writing as well. You can never learn too much about your desired career path.
