Maria De La O Named Editor in Chief of Jane and Jane Magazine,
Will Lead Its Transition to National Newsstand Distribution
Source: Jane and Jane Magazine, Debbie Wells, Co-Publisher, Alison Zawacki, Co-Publisher, 916-731-8026

DNA Publishing, LLC, announced today that Maria De La O has been named editor in chief of its soon-to-be nationally distributed lesbian lifestyle magazine, Jane and Jane. Now in its third year of publication, Jane and Jane will begin its national distribution this September under the editorial direction of De La O, who brings with her more than 15 years of experience as an editor and writer for national publications. De La O will succeed the previous editor, LaRita Heet, who was hired as a freelance editor for Jane and Jane during the magazine’s startup phase. Co-publishers Debbie Wells and Alison Zawacki felt it was time for the magazine to grow under the editorial direction of someone with extensive national newsstand experience, and De La O was a perfect fit for the role.

“With Maria’s personal drive, background and experience, I’m confident she has the ability to take Jane and Jane to a whole new level. I personally had the pleasure of working with her while she was managing editor for The Industry Standard in San Francisco many years ago. It was there that I saw first-hand how she managed an editorial team that produced a national magazine regularly topping 200 pages per week. I’m excited to have the privilege of working with her again; she is amazing.” With a master’s degree from Columbia University’s prestigious School of Journalism,
De La O brings experience in a variety of roles. She has been both a managing editor and an assignment editor for mainstream magazines that include Alternative Medicine and The Industry Standard, as well as worked as the online news editor of the New York Daily News. A longtime member of the National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association, De La O also has been an editor and writer for LGBT magazines and newspapers that include 10 Percent, The Advocate, Bay Area Reporter, San Francisco Bay Times, and Curve, among others.

“I’m delighted to be joining Jane and Jane. From travel to relationship advice to ‘wedding presents for brides who have everything,’ it’s high time that lesbians around the country can read a magazine that really reflects the best parts of their lives,” De La O says, adding, “I’m honored to be a part of making that happen.” Co-publisher Zawacki says, “We are excited about the energy and vision that Maria brings to the table. Already, she has offered invaluable input that the magazine needs as we make our national debut. We’ve always been very proud of Jane and Jane’s editorial, but we have never let ourselves get too comfortable and always see room for improvement — especially now as we convert to a paid magazine.”

About Jane and Jane: Jane and Jane is an upscale lesbian lifestyle magazine with an editorial focus on travel, relationships, family law, health and wellness, career, politics, food and wine, and entertainment. With a median reader age of 46, Jane and Jane has an unrivaled focus on sophisticated and professional women who are affluent, influential and enjoy living the good life. Now in its third year, Jane and Jane began as a complimentary magazine in major cities on the West Coast and will be making its national debut as a paid magazine in September 2008.