AddThis SmartLayers

Former JP editor bounces back with magazine launch

A former Johnston Press editor who left the regional publisher after 21 years last summer has bounced back with the launch of a new magazine.

Amanda Hatfield was group editor at the Matlock Mercury and a number of its sister titles, until leaving the role last June.

However the ensuing months have been busy ones for Amanda, with first a wedding to a fellow former JP editor and now the launch of a new arts magazine.

Now known as Amanda Penman, she got married in the autumn to David Penman, who previously edited the Northamptonshire Evening Telegraph and the Scarborough Evening News.

Amanda spent 21 years as an editor for Johnston Press and other titles she oversaw as group editor were the Buxton Advertiser, Belper News, Ripley and Heanor NewsIlkeston Advertiser and Eastwood and Kimberley Advertiser.

Her new free monthly arts magazine Artsbeat aims to promote creative and performing arts throughout Derbyshire.

Said Amanda: “I have been very encouraged by the feedback I have had as I have been travelling around the county distributing Artsbeat and I am very excited to be doing something which is new and completely different to my former job in journalism.

“We have a thriving arts community in Derbyshire and I felt there was a gap in the market for a magazine focusing on what’s going on where locally. Artsbeat is editorial led and concentrates on strong features and photographs.

“I have had tremendous support from those involved in the arts to get the magazine going and some brilliant messages of support since Artsbeat hit the streets.”

The 64-page magazine is an A5 size and will be distributed at galleries, arts venues, Tourist Information Centres, bookshops, cafes and bars throughout the county, from Glossop in the north to Melbourne in the south.

It currently has a distribution of 5,000 copies but Amanda hopes to double that over the next year.

Before joining the Mercury in 2002, Amanda edited the Diss Express for 10 years and she also worked for the Bury Free Press and the East Anglian Daily Times during her 30 years in newspapers.

9 comments

You can follow all replies to this entry through the comments feed.
  • January 29, 2013 at 10:07 am
    Permalink

    good luck. Nice change from rigours of shape stuffing.

    Report this comment

    Like this comment(0)
  • January 29, 2013 at 10:31 am
    Permalink

    Nice story but it would be good to know the ages of the newly-weds. My first editor would have thrown that piece back at me without them. Why so coy ?

    Report this comment

    Like this comment(0)
  • January 29, 2013 at 2:24 pm
    Permalink

    I wish Amanda the very best of luck with this new projects (and congrats for the marriage!)

    Report this comment

    Like this comment(0)
  • January 29, 2013 at 2:28 pm
    Permalink

    @subbed out
    Amanda is 76 and David is 93. Didn’t they do well?

    Report this comment

    Like this comment(0)
  • January 29, 2013 at 3:01 pm
    Permalink

    Good point fresh coriander. ages are not always relevant. and some people don’t like them being published whatever editors might say.

    Report this comment

    Like this comment(0)
  • January 29, 2013 at 6:03 pm
    Permalink

    I like this. Stay away from hard news as it is dead before you hit print and focus on lifestyle. Good luck

    Report this comment

    Like this comment(0)
  • January 29, 2013 at 7:45 pm
    Permalink

    Thanks for best wishes and as you have asked we are both 52 – although this week after distributing Artsbeat I feel more like 72.

    Report this comment

    Like this comment(0)
  • January 30, 2013 at 9:03 am
    Permalink

    Thanks for that, Amanda. Same age as me. (Married for 20 years so far…)

    Report this comment

    Like this comment(0)