Articles

Finding pockets of joy in the job

Finding pockets of joy in the job

The editor ponders how to support a frustrated young colleague who is discouraged by talk of industry decline
How a profile of a Kabul hotel became a profile of today's Afghanistan

How a profile of a Kabul hotel became a profile of today’s Afghanistan

Andreas Babst of Switzerland went behind-the-scenes of the fabled Intercontinental Hotel with two employees — one Talib, one not
All those books? The painful joy of letting go

All those books? The painful joy of letting go

"Books are the diary of my life; when I scan a shelf, I see pieces of my past in the spines. ~ retired book editor Laurie Hertzel
When the story passion burns bright

When the story passion burns bright

A visit from a younger writer reminds the editor of the joys and challenges of being immersed in "full story"
The backstory of a book of backstories about stories 

The backstory of a book of backstories about stories 

Some masters of narrative nonfiction collaborate to publish an anthology of current classics started by their late friend, Matt Tullis
Effective editing: Lynda Robinson annotates a sensitive story on faith and family

Effective editing: Lynda Robinson annotates a sensitive story on faith and family

The Washington Post enterprise editor gives a behind-the-scenes look at how she worked with a reporter to access sources and recreate scenes
Effective editing: Mutual trust and knowing the heart of a story

Effective editing: Mutual trust and knowing the heart of a story

For the Washington Post's Lynda Robinson, "The goal is to say ‘yes’ as much as possible and ‘no’ as little as possible."
What fractals — and obituaries — can teach us about writing

What fractals — and obituaries — can teach us about writing

The editor muses on writing "life stories" on the occasion of someone's death, and what it reveals about the layers of authentic storytelling
... that he who does good ...

… that he who does good …

—From the novel "North Woods" by Daniel Mason
How a reporter prepped to understand A.I. and the man who helped invent it

How a reporter prepped to understand A.I. and the man who helped invent it

New Yorker Ideas Editor Joshua Rothman brushed up on algebra and spent four days on a private island to profile the "godfather" of A.I.