Meet the Editor
Former intern returns to RPI
In October 2023, Rowland Publishing Inc. (RPI) welcomed Sara Santora as the newest editor of Tallahassee Magazine. She graduated from Florida State University in 2017 with a bachelor’s degree in English (editing, writing and media) and religious studies and has written and edited for various print and online publications, including SpaceCoast LIVING and Newsweek. Santora brings with her a passion for local journalism and the Tallahassee community and looks forward to building connections with Tallahassee Magazine readers, contributors and partners.
We sat down with Santora to discuss her background, interests and day-to-day. So, without further ado, please welcome our new editor!
Q: What is your connection to Tallahassee?
SS: Florida State University! I’m a proud class of 2017 alumna.
Q: What made you interested in a journalism career?
SS: A friend of mine convinced me to write for our school paper during our senior year of high school. I needed an extra class, and he thought it’d be fun. Turns out, he was right. I grew up playing the violin and intended to study music in college, but that changed when I wrote my first story. Not only did I love the actual writing part (which, I’ll be honest, was always my favorite part of school), but I also enjoyed sharing information with my peers and inciting fun hallway and locker room discussions. Joining the FSView & Florida Flambeau during my sophomore year of college only reaffirmed how much I loved journalism. I truly couldn’t picture myself doing anything else.
Q: What brought you to RPI?
SS: My journey with RPI began seven years ago. My friend and fellow FSView writer, Joseph Zeballos-Roig, interned for RPI in the summer of 2016 and recommended me for the position the following year. I loved everything about it — the company camaraderie, my team and the magazines — so returning felt like a no-brainer. To become the editor of a publication I once interned for has been a wonderful, full-circle experience. I’m incredibly grateful.
Q: What does your role as editor entail?
SS: I think the better question is, what does my role as editor not entail? I field pitches, determine story lineups, collaborate with and manage freelancers, contribute bylines to each of Rowland’s proprietary publications and edit and proof Tallahassee Magazine. I’m also responsible for miscellaneous administrative work (and attend lots of meetings), but that about sums it up.
Q: What’s your favorite part of the job?
SS: I love lending my talents as a writer to support the Tallahassee community. Regional publications like Tallahassee Magazine are so special and have the power to do so much good, but they’re becoming fewer and farther between. Spotlighting and supporting local businesses and personalities and forming genuine connections with those people never gets old. I’m happy I get to do this for a living.
Q: What hobbies do you enjoy in your free time?
SS: I spend most of my spare time reading and writing. I’m involved in a book club and writers’ group, so I also spend a lot of time chatting with others about reading and writing, which is more fun than it sounds — I promise!
Q: Who’s your favorite author?
SS: Picking one favorite is impossible, so I’ll provide you with a short list instead. Sally Rooney, Kristin Hannah, Madeline Miller, Dolly Alderton and Ann Patchett are among my favorite novelists, and Jon Krakauer and Erik Larson are two of my favorite nonfiction writers.
Q: What do you love most about Tallahassee?
SS: I’ve always loved the local arts scene, the never-ending supply of quality coffee and, of course, my alma mater. Go ’Noles!
