Although International Therapist (IT) is published quarterly, every day someone, somewhere, is working on the next issue. Here’s a brief introduction to the people and processes behind FHT’s membership journal…
Although changes to the content can be made up to the very last minute, these are usually only minor. Most of the main features and regulars are confirmed weeks in advance of the publication date.
For each issue, Joanna and Karen sit down with a blank flat plan and start to pencil in potential features. Our main challenge is to ensure that there is always a good spread of articles and news items, which will appeal to as many of our members as possible – whatever stage they are at in terms of career progression, and whether they are multi-disciplined therapists, or specialise in complementary, holistic beauty or sports therapy.
Once the flat plan has taken shape we then call a meeting with other members of staff at the FHT, to run through the proposed features and other content, and to discuss any items that need to be covered in the same issue. These might include changes in therapy regulation or legislation; upcoming events; important meetings attended or activities carried out FHT’s Governing Council or senior staff; new FHT membership benefits and initiatives; and so on.
Once the majority of the content has been agreed, work then immediately begins on sourcing the relevant copy and pictures.
In terms of who supplies the copy that appears in IT, we use a wide range of sources. Some items are unsolicited submissions, others are requested by the FHT from a relevant member or industry expert if there is a particular topic we would like to see covered, and a number are researched and written in house. On occasion, we will also feature book excerpts or research papers.
While the FHT may not necessarily agree with opinions or comments expressed by contributors, wherever possible, we try to ensure that the information is relevant to our members, in line with the FHT Code of Ethics, and as accurate and up to date as possible.
When we receive copy at the office, it is reviewed by Joanna or Karen and where necessary, further information is requested from the contributor, which often includes references for further reading. The copy is then edited so that it roughly meets word count for the space allocated in the journal and to ensure that the content has a logical order and reads well.
While IT is not a peer reviewed journal, once edited in-house, a large number of the features and news items are passed on to other FHT staff or Governing Council members for their comments. Contributors are also sent the edited version for approval.
The copy then leaves the FHT office and goes across to our subeditors, Christine and Naomi. Both highly experienced in journalism, freelancing and editing, their job is to fine tune the content – to double-check that the copy flows well and that nothing important is missing; that it fits the space allocated, trimming back where necessary; to check the spelling and grammar; and ensure the words fit the journal’s house style.
The copy is then sent across to our designer, Dot, whose job is to make the text come alive on the page, ensuring that the overall look of the article is pleasing to the eye. This can sometimes be a challenge, depending on the subject matter – the medical A-Z showing athlete’s foot is one example that springs to mind!
Once designed, pages are then sent back to Christine and Naomi, who edit the copy to fit the design if there is still too much text, and to double check their earlier work. These pages are then passed back down the line to Joanna and Karen for their comments and any amends. Once the pages have been checked and approved by the FHT, they are then returned to Christine and Naomi who pass them on to Dot to make them ‘print ready’. Before the pages are finally sent off to the printers, Dot, Christine and Naomi give them one last check.
As you can probably imagine with all of this toing and froing, each article published in IT is proof read and potentially tweaked a minimum of eight times!
Once the final version PDFs have had their pre-press check, the pages are sent to Buxton Press for printing. The journal is printed on responsibly sourced paper using vegetable inks, and the print quality is regularly spot-checked as it comes off the press. Each journal is then polywrapped – sometimes with inserts, such as the FHT 50th Anniversary Training Congress Programme – before being sent out by Royal Mail to members.