October 21-27, 2004

slant

New Editor, New Era

by Paul Curci

Letter from the Publisher

Back in June, I told my staff a national search for a new editor would take two months -- tops. I also said we would hold out until we found the best person available -- period. I didn’t make good on my first promise, but I’m confident I made good on the second.

During the past four months, I've spoken to no less than three dozen candidates and invited at least a dozen in for interviews. They came from Spokane, Chicago and New York City, with credentials from Rolling Stone, the Chicago Reader, National Public Radio, MTV and -- believe it or not -- the National Enquirer. Glenn Manko of Banister International orchestrated the search.

Once each was cleared as a viable candidate, the entire editorial staff then interviewed them. Interim Editor Brian Hickey and Arts & Entertainment Editor Lori Hill's stellar performance during this period allowed us to conduct a thorough search, and in the end, we hired an editor handpicked by our entire editorial staff. It's important to have your staff involved, and although I never planned on having an entirely democratic process, I was confident that the right candidate would prevail. Each time we met a qualified candidate -- and several were -- we learned a little more about what constituted a perfect fit. The process, while exhausting, also clarified not only our priorities but our mission as a newspaper. We even managed to reconnect with old friends along the way who reached out on our behalf. (Thanks, Ronnie!)

Our new editor in chief, Duane Swierczynski, hails from Northeast Philadelphia. A LaSalle University graduate, he began his career as a Philadelphia magazine intern who gradually became the editor of the magazine's Philly File section. From there, Duane was hired at Men's Health magazine and then spent two years as associate editor at Details in New York. From there, Duane was hired back to Men's Health, and then Philadelphia magazine. He even returned to LaSalle, where he is finishing his stint as a journalism and political reporting professor. Almost everywhere he's worked, Duane's been hired back. That's a good sign.

A published author, Duane has written six nonfiction books focused mostly on "cocktails and crime." Smell the Roses, the first of a new series of mystery novels published by St. Martin's Press, is set in Philadelphia and will hit bookstores next fall. That's a lot of writing and editing for a guy who hasn't reached his mid-30s yet. Another good sign.

Duane is a prolific guy who made good in Philly, elevated his game in New York and chose to return to the city he loves to do what he does best -- lead young writers to excellence. I am excited at the prospects for City Paper under Duane's leadership. He's got some smart, young talent to coach.

Have at it, Duane. And welcome home.

Loose Canon will return next week.