The Magazines Handbook is a comprehensive introduction to the magazine industry. It traces the development of magazine publishing and explores the business of magazines and the role of the magazine journalist. Using as examples consumer magazines, trade journals, periodicals and specialist publications, Jenny McKay discusses the key journalism jobs in the industry from subeditor to fashion assistant and writer through to publisher.

The Magazines Handbook outlines the specialist skills involved in magazine journalism including commissioning, writing news and features, researching, interviewing, production and subediting. Specialist chapters discuss electronic publishing and online journalism, magazine design, photography and picture editing and the legal framework in which magazine publishes have to operate.

The Magazines Handbook critically questions many of the assumptions of the magazine industry and covers the practical aspects of magazine work while drawing on some of the best writing about magazines from both journalists and media theorists.