A Day in the Life of the Editor of Cardiff Life Magazine
As Editor, I lead the content that is featured in Cardiff Life Magazine – but my work extends far beyond the magazine itself. I also oversee content for our website, as well as across various social media platforms.
Cardiff Life has a distinct voice, and one of my main responsibilities is to stay true to it. When I took on the role in late 2024, I had a clear vision for where I wanted to take the magazine – building on the fantastic work that had come before. My biggest goal is to ensure our content
is both engaging and community-focused. I care deeply about this city and I make sure that passion comes across in everything we publish.
So, what does a day in the life of a magazine Editor look like? Well, my first port of call is always Cardiff itself. Each day, I sift through our busy news inbox, hunting for stories that we could cover – and, perhaps more importantly, cover well. With every story that lands in my inbox, I always ask: Will our readers get something out of this?
If the answer is yes, I decide how best to tell it. That often comes down to whether it should be written up as an article (for the magazine or the website) or whether it needs a more visual approach. If it’s the latter, I liaise with Cardiff Life’s Account Manager, Holly Price, who oversees our social media pages. I regularly send her stories I know our readers will engage with online.
As you can imagine, work on the magazine never stops. News keeps moving, and so does Cardiff Life. Producing a monthly magazine takes a lot of planning – it’s a constant cycle of trial, error, and collaboration to ensure the finished product meets our high standards.
Planning begins weeks in advance. Each issue has its themes, focus points and must-cover stories. Some are time-sensitive – seasonal features, event previews, or breaking news – while others are more timeless, celebrating Cardiff’s business scene, arts and culture.
A huge part of my role is commissioning talented contributors to work on the magazine. These individuals are the heart and soul of Cardiff Life and it’s been an honour to see their hard work come to fruition. Honestly, it’s one of the best parts of the job – reading something new about my city is always a treat.
Once the contributors’ work is in, it’s sent to our designer, Trevor Gilham, whose role is one of the most crucial in bringing the magazine to life. Trevor works with the edited copy I provide, alongside a selection of images, to create layouts that truly showcase the stories. Once everyone is happy with Trevor’s designs, the magazine is sent off to print. Within a week, it’s ready for distribution – and that’s when the fun begins!
Of course, it’s not always smooth sailing. One of the biggest challenges in running a magazine is time. Deadlines come around fast, and there’s always something unexpected – late submissions, breaking news or stories that suddenly fall through. Flexibility is key, as is being able to pivot quickly. There’s also the constant juggle of balancing print and digital. While the magazine is our flagship product, we also have a growing online presence. Some
stories work brilliantly in print but don’t translate as well online and vice versa. It’s my job to ensure that every piece of content finds the right platform.
Then there’s the sheer volume of content. Cardiff is a thriving city, and there’s never a shortage of things to write about. The challenge is curating that content in a way that feels fresh, engaging, and true to our readership.
I’ll never forget the moment I held my first edition of Cardiff Life in my hands. This role is fast-paced, and some days can feel overwhelming, but seeing your name in print on a magazine you’ve put together is a feeling like no other.
Even better is hearing what people think. Our readers are incredible – they regularly shout about our work on social media, and for that, I couldn’t be more grateful.
At its core, Cardiff Life is more than just a magazine. It’s a platform that celebrates the people, businesses and culture that make this city so special. Whether we’re shining a light on independent restaurants, showcasing local artists, or covering major events, the goal is always the same: to tell stories that matter.
Print media often gets talked about as if it’s on its way out, but I couldn’t disagree more. There’s something special about holding a physical magazine, flicking through its pages and seeing your city reflected in its stories. While digital has its place, print still offers a unique, tangible experience – one that people come back to, month after month.
Being Editor of Cardiff Life is one of the greatest highlights of my career. Not only do I get to work with an incredibly talented and forward-thinking team at WCS, but I also get to champion the best city on the planet. What’s not to love?
Sam Cook
Editor, Cardiff Life Magazine
