Editor Picks — Our Favourite [Interviews]On CRY

Editor Picks — Our Favourite [Interviews]On CRYImage by: KPG_IVARY

Another week, another round of editor picks. We have so many stories to choose from, so this week we’re taking it back to our favourite interviews. Yes, we used to do interviews on CRY (we might bring it back next year). Anyways, check out our favourite interviews and let us know what you think. Also, let us know if you want to see more interviews.

Kern

So I’m going to cheat a little bit and choose two interviews instead of one. My first favourite is Kayla Greaves from InStyle Magazine. She’s a bit of a big deal as far as editors go, but she’s so real that I forgot I was interviewing her. Our conversation was smooth and free-flowing and Kayla was open and honest with her answers. My favourite part of the interview:

“I just don’t have time to be fighting people on social media. Like I just want to watch 90 Day Fiance and go to sleep, quite frankly.”

My next favourite part:

“And I think people are kind of forgetting that opinions are not facts. Especially when we have people who are becoming legit celebrities on platforms like Twitter. And if you disagree with such person, then you’re wrong, you’re trash. I think that’s very dangerous.”

The other interview I really enjoyed was with Publisher, Olivia Taylor Smith. She gave us insight into what authors need to know about pitching manuscripts. Running her own indie imprint, Olivia gave useful and actionable advice about pitching publishers:

“Editors and agents will always notice when writers have done their research. Take your time, and instead of only focusing on whether your work is right for someone, make sure that the press or agent you are querying is also going to be a good fit for you. It works both ways.”

And when asked about how much weight publishers give to an author’s platform, here’s what Olivia had to say:

“Having a network of support is essential especially as book promotion has moved online for the foreseeable future. Being engaged with a community, whether through writer’s groups, an MFA or workshops, or activism and community involvement, is very important. Know your local bookstore and booksellers, you can still engage with them online while stores are closed. Share book recommendations and be a part of the eco-system because we are all in it together. I think social media is less about the amount of followers you have but how you are using it, and if you are using it correctly by being genuinely supportive of other writers and the literary community, the amount of followers/contacts will grow.”

Safia

I absolutely loved connecting with Visual Artist and Author, Reyna Noriega. Between the vibrant images she creates that powerfully showcase women of colour, the community of followers she has cultivated online, and several brands she has partnered with, I was curious how she got started. In our interview, she talked about the leap she made from teaching to full-time artist and shared advice on how to make a living as a creative.

My favourite piece of advice:

My suggestion for making money off of art is a little unconventional. I say, don’t focus on the money. Focus on building character, building trust, building your skills, your confidence and building your worth.

Another great part:

As a creative, my hardest challenge was thinking that my work had to be based on my pain and on experiences that were rooted in trauma. I realized that I could also touch on struggles that I went through, but it didn’t have to be the basis of what I created. There was a time when I felt that people only related to struggle — the heartbreak, the failures, the pain and things like that.

Check out more of our interviews on CRY.

[image error]

Editor Picks — Our Favourite [Interviews]On CRY was originally published in CRY Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.