Deez Interviews: Meet the editor with a no-fail 2-step plan for improving LGBTQ representation at your publication of choice
Happy Friday, Deezers! This week’s interview is with Fran Tirado, executive editor of Hello Mr., and writer extraordinaire. Fran was originally introduced to me as “a hustler like no other,” which is why he made for a perfect Deez Links interview as we all start kicking into turbo back-to-school gear and thinking about our own ~semesters of life~ ahead. Enjoy!
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The interviewee: Fran Tirado (website here and Twitter here!)
The current job: Executive editor at Hello Mr.
The hustle:
I handle and touch everything on the print side of the magazine. Depending on what stage we are in the process it can be going through hundreds of submissions in the slush pile to reaching out, commissioning, and hiring my favorite artists/writers to be in the next issue — grabbing drinks with them to lightly brief on the project. Then it's a mess of editing and rounds of revision, concepting the visuals with our designers and art team, briefing designers and editors, proofing, helping pieces come to life a holistic vision — it's a lot of things and it's very inconsistent and I love it.
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You've built up an impressive portfolio of freelance work as a a writer, poet, content manager and social media, to start with. What advice do you have for young media professionals who want to get in on the freelance game, but aren't sure where to start?
Know your niche. Don't write about everything — write about a few things and do it well. Make sure all your editors know your niche. Then show up to all the parties, all the gatherings. Insert yourself into spaces where you think you can make a good impression. Be vocal, and always act like you're a bigger deal than you are, when it comes to your rate, your website, or your brand.
What are the more unexpected upsides and downsides to freelancing?
Upsides: That people know your name because you are the person that made something happen for them — because of that, writers and contributors hold you with a regard you've never known. Downside is that you can be owed an excruciating amount of money with no trace of intent to payback. Fun fact, last October, I was owed a record-breaking $11,000 in outstanding invoices. [Editor’s note: oh my fucking god what]
Across your work at Hello Mr. and the Food for THOT podcast, you've been creating specific content and communities LGBTQ audiences. How did you get into that, and what are the unique challenges of your work?
It came about naturally — it was the topic I was interested and somewhere along the way I decided it was the only topic I was really interested in. I got involved with both with self-initiative and taking the project by the reigns as if it were my own. When I put my name on something, I want it to feel 100% reflective of me. Everyone should have that philosophy though that can also be your challenge as not everyone is going to be easy to work with, and not everyone is going to want to work with you on your vision.
How can the mainstream media improve both their coverage of the LGBTQ community and to better reach queer audiences?
Employ queer editors. Employ queer writers. End of list.
You've been a part of several writer workshops/conferences (including Writers @ Work, the Tin House Writers Workshop, and the Lambda Literary Emerging Writers Program). Tell us about that!
My experience with writing workshops gave me community that actually launched the podcast. We all met at Tin House! If you're lucky enough to have a friend experience like that at a conference, it truly feels worth it. Otherwise, it gives you the time and space to meditate on your work. You won't get any work done, but if you unplug your phone the whole time, you will have the space you need to think long and hard about what kind of writer you want to be.
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Serious words of wisdom to savor over the last of summer. I’ll see you all in class on Tuesday!
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