editor David Jordan
The Editor Writes As I put the finishing touches to the spring issue of Outdoor Focus, I am already thinking ahead to the summer edition. I wonder what you’ d like to see more of. In the committee meeting recently we discussed member benefits, and it prompted me to think about what Outdoor Focus offers as a benefit to members. It brings you news about events and changes in the Guild. It introduces new members and remembers the lives of those members who have passed on. It invites award submissions, gives us a preview of the forthcoming Big Weekend, and reports on the awards, activities and other gossip from the Big Weekend that has gone. All of that is important, but is also the bread and butter of every members’ magazine. What other purpose does it serve?
Perhaps the most significant member benefit is the opportunity to showcase your work. Circulation is not only to members, but copies go to a wide range of publishers and other industry contacts. These are the people who may commission your work in the future. So, I’ d like to invite you to submit outline proposals for features. 150 words and one sample image are all that is required initially, and if you’ ve not published an article before, I’ d
be happy to work with you on editing, as well as provide a tear sheet afterwards, to showcase your work on your own website or social media.
What else could Outdoor Focus do? Do you want more industry news? Perhaps you’ d really like some interviews with industry figures. Are you interested in the latest developments or approaches in media tech? Would you like to see more photography, perhaps members’ submissions on a theme or the season? At the present time, Outdoor Focus is limited to 16 pages for 3 of the issues to keep the weight within a certain level of postage cost. Paper copies are mailed to members and non-members can download a digital version from the website. Would you accept‘ limited and relevant’ advertising if it meant that Outdoor Focus could expand and do more without impacting membership fees? If you have views or ideas about what you’ d like to see more of( or less), please do drop me a message at editor @ owpg. org. uk. I’ d love to hear from you.
I’ d also like to add a special thanks to Rudolf Abraham for the stunning cover image.
p16
Cicerone’ s Jonathan Williams considers the future of publishing p6 – 7
Rucksack Readers celebrates 25 successful years of publishing guidebooks
p10-11
Sue Viccars reports from Dartmoor on the Southwest Regional Meet-up
p14 – 15
Roly Smith reviews the latest books p12-13
Kevin Sene takes a look forward to the Big Weekend 2025 at the Blencathra Centre in the Lake District
Editor David Jordan ISSN 2043 8605 editor @ owpg. org. uk Design David Jordan, Ronald Turnbull Cover Hiking the Tour des Combins Photographer: Rudolf Abraham
The Outdoor Writers and Photographers Guild( OWPG) is the only UK-based association of media professionals working largely or entirely on outdoor subjects. Our membership covers every field of activity and all corners of the globe. We include writers, journalists, bloggers, photographers, publishers and editors, all with a passionate interest in the outdoors. For information on who we are, what we do, and where we’ ve been, visit www. owpg. org. uk – or join us on Facebook. 2 OUTDOOR FOCUS Spring 2025