Landing a cover story is never my end goal

I approach each piece like it's the most important thing for me to do at this moment [READER]( I wrote the [cover story]( for the latest issue of the Reader, which is the second time a feature I wrote ended up on the cover this year. I would be lying if I said I didn't take some pride in seeing one of my stories on the front page, beckoning longtime readers and curious onlookers to pick it up and look inside. But landing a cover story is never my end goal. I like to tell people my favorite story is the one I'm working on now; I care about every piece I pitch, regardless of the subject-matter, or the length, or whatever outside forces might declare of the material weight of what I write. Each story allows me to learn more about this city and its culture, and to consider the ways the subject at hand resonates with me and other Chicagoans, and I cherish the fact that I get the space to consider all these dimensions with my work. I approach each piece like it's the most important thing for me to do at this moment, like it should be a cover story regardless of where it ends up in the paper. I love that my work gets to be included in a publication with stories by other talented writers who are just as dedicated to their beats as I am; I can see that in their pithy reviews, ruminative essays, and deeply researched reporting. And I know that whatever ends up on the cover will not only reflect the spirit of all our work, but it also has the great potential to draw people to other pieces in the paper they might not have even thought they'd be curious about in the first place. (That is another part of what I love about working at a general-interest publication; someone may pick up the paper for a big investigation, and then come across a review of an album that makes them fall in love with music they otherwise would have never heard.) And I hope that at least one person who picked up the new issue because they noticed my story about [defunct Lincoln Park nightclub Neo]( on the cover may have also found another story in the paper that drew their curiosity. If for some reason you haven't found a copy of the latest issue, [this handy map]( can point you to all our distribution locations. Sincerely, [Get]( inside scoop on all things Best of Chicago 2021, and be among the first to know who wins. Sign up for #BOC2021 updates!]( ["The 'King-Cat' of Midwest Punk: John Porcellino and Spit and a Half,"]( by Annie Mok (Bandcamp Daily) ["No Sé Discos Powers Up,"]( by Sofia McDowell (South Side Weekly) ["Matt Muse hosting Love & Nappyness benefit drive, concert for Chicagoans,"]( by Matt Moore (Chicago Sun-Times) Worst Party Ever, [Dartland]( The Deals, [Clear And Severe]( Le Ren, [Leftovers]( Juice WRLD, [Fighting Demons]( We've wrapped up season one of CQN! Listen back on all ten episodes [here]( or wherever you get your podcasts. [Give the gift of the Reader this holiday season!]( Shop timeless gifts for the alternative media enthusiast on your list. From quality totes and t-shirts to groovy button packs and masks, we’ve got you covered. Store purchases are another way to support our community nonprofit newsroom this holiday season and beyond! [The Peep Show helped birth two of Chicago’s best early country-rock acts]( This high school band lasted just a few months in 1968, but members went on to play in Ouray, Baraboo, and many other groups. by [Steve Krakow]( [Archiving the city’s past]( A newly digitized collection of images on the Chicago Public Library website is a boon to historians. by [Max Grinnell]( [Soak the suckers]( It was only a matter of time before MAGA used Jussie Smollett’s guilty verdict to shake down their supporters for money. by [Ben Joravsky]( [Issue of Dec 9 - Dec 22, 2021 Vol. 51, No.]( [Download Issue]( (PDF) 1971 Chicagoans have relied on the Reader for trusted alternative coverage of our city. The Chicago Reader is now a 501c3 nonprofit organization which means our survival is in your hands. In order to continue to be your trusted alternative voice of Chicago, we need your help. If you can donate just $5 today, we can show the world that community funded, independent journalism is the future. [DONATE TODAY!]( [View this e-mail as a web page]( [@chicago_reader]( [/chicagoreader]( [@chicago_reader]( [Chicago Reader on LinkedIn]( [/chicagoreader]( [chicagoreader.com]( [Forward this e-mail to a friend](. Want to change how you receive these e-mails? You can [update your preferences]( or [unsubscribe from this list](. Copyright © 2021 Chicago Reader, All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: Chicago Reader, 2930 S. Michigan Ave., Suite 102, Chicago, IL 60616