Meet the Editor
A Q&A with Emerald Coast Magazine editor Paige Aigret
In January 2024, Rowland Publishing Inc. (RPI) promoted Paige Aigret to editor of Emerald Coast Magazine. For two years prior, Aigret worked on the company’s Custom Publishing projects, owning editorial tasks for various client publications. Aigret joined the RPI team with a bachelor’s degree in English literature (creative writing) and a minor in Spanish from Columbus State University. There, she worked for her college newspaper and was awarded second place for Best Entertainment Story by the Georgia College Press Association. Following graduation, Aigret worked as a substitute teacher and freelance writer in Georgia and Florida before joining the RPI team.
Q: What is your connection to the Emerald Coast?
PA: I’m a born-and-raised Fort Walton Beach native. Though I lived out of state for my high school years and much of my 20s, I’ve always found myself back home for visits or long-term stays with my close-knit family. In 2021, I finally made the return permanent after realizing the beach was where I was always meant to be.
Q: What made you interested in a career in journalism?
PA: I spent a lot of time unsure of what I wanted in life. When I finally found my way back to college, several literature courses ignited a passion for creative writing. I joined my university’s newspaper and attended an Associated Collegiate Press conference in Washington, D.C., where I pored over the schedule and maxed out my itinerary. Attending 20 workshops and speeches over the course of four days, I took in as much as I could. After that, I knew my career path was in journalism.
Q: What brought you to RPI?
PA: Equal parts persistence, equal parts Steve Bornhoft. When I moved back to the area in 2021, I was searching for a publication where I could write creatively but also find a lasting career. Emerald Coast Magazine appealed to me. The magazine’s parent company, RPI, wasn’t hiring according to their careers page, but I applied anyway to no avail. I followed up and connected with former executive editor Bornhoft, who welcomed me to his freelancer pool. A few months later, he invited me to apply for a newly opened RPI position. Bornhoft has been a consistent mentor and advocate for me since.
Q: What does your role as editor entail?
Less editing than one might imagine. While I do spend a great deal of time on my title task, editing article drafts, layouts and full-book proofs, I also spend a lot of time writing articles, captions, headlines and cover copy. Too, I create story pitches and compile lineups; I interact with freelancers to maintain good working relationships, communicate assignments and field pitches; and I dedicate a good chunk of time to administrative tasks, communicating with colleagues and peers, and attending meetings.
Q: What’s your favorite part of the job?
Interviews. That’s where the gold is. I can write all I want, but without a good source with good information and good quotes, I’ve got nothing. I give great credit and thanks to the many people I’ve met who have given me their time. I feel more connected to my community with each person I interview. Whether that be a local artist, educator, lifeguard or industry expert, I couldn’t do my job without the help of my generous community.
Q: What hobbies do you enjoy in your free time?
I love going to the beach. As long as that flag is yellow or green, I’m grabbing my goggles or float and I’m in the water! I never get bored of the beach — I could stay for hours. When I’m not playing mermaids, you can find me in the hammock with a good book, tending to my plants and garden, baking fresh bread or trying my hand at a new dinner recipe.
Q: Who’s your favorite author?
I want to say I don’t have just one, but I think my bookshelf would beg to differ. My No. 1 is undoubtedly Alice Hoffman. I own about 20 of her novels, though admittedly, seven still sit in my to-be-read pile. Author of the ’90s cult classic book-turned-movie, Practical Magic, Hoffman is a master of the magical realism genre and one of few writers I believe ever truly got it right, time and time again. She also writes historical fiction. I highly recommend her work!
Q: What do you love most about the Emerald Coast?
Bragging rights. Who wouldn’t want to live here? As residents, we’re mere minutes and miles from the one thing that most Americans pay thousands of dollars to experience on vacation each year — the beach! Not to mention the uniquity of our white sands and clear, almost-always-calm waters. I never take that for granted. And I never miss a chance to brag about my hometown.
