Claire Connors

Claire Connors: A Career Defined by Magazine Culture and Storytelling

We’ve followed Claire Connors’ work across print and digital media, where she has carved a niche as a storyteller who demystifies the art of magazine publishing. With over two decades in the industry, her career spans editorial roles, celebrity bookings, and podcasting, cementing her as a bridge between media’s golden age and its digital evolution.

Career Trajectory: From Editorial Desks to Podcast Studios

• Early Career at Woman’s World: Connors began her journey at Woman’s World, mastering the balance of lifestyle journalism and reader engagement. Her early work focused on human-interest stories, blending practical advice with emotional resonance.
• Shape Magazine’s Wellness Advocate: Transitioning to Shape, she honed her expertise in health and wellness, producing features that combined scientific rigor with accessible storytelling. Her articles often highlighted mental health and fitness trends, aligning with the magazine’s mission to empower readers.
• Podcasting and Media Criticism: In 2019, Connors launched Under the Covers with Claire Connors, a podcast dissecting iconic magazine covers. The show became a hub for industry insiders, featuring interviews with photographers, editors, and stylists.

Key Articles and Episodes

• UNDER THE COVERS with Claire Connors Episode 4 Guest Sharon Boone Part 1

This episode delves into systemic racism in publishing, with former Seventeen editor Sharon Boone. Connors and Boone critique the lack of diversity in editorial leadership, using Boone’s experiences at McCall’s and Glamour as case studies. The conversation highlights how magazines like Ebony and Jet provided counter-narratives to mainstream media, a theme Connors revisits in later episodes. The episode’s timing during the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests underscored its relevance, offering historical context to contemporary debates.

Beat Analysis and Pitching Recommendations

1. Focus on Behind-the-Scenes Media Stories

Connors prioritizes untold stories about magazine production, such as the collaboration between photographers and stylists for a cover shoot. For example, her podcast episode with Trent Straube explored how HX magazine’s LGBTQ+ covers influenced pop culture. Pitches should highlight unique angles, like the evolution of a publication’s visual identity or interviews with retired art directors.

2. Celebrate Niche or Vintage Publications

She often spotlights lesser-known magazines, such as RightOn!, which catered to Black teens in the 1970s. A successful pitch might examine how indie magazines today replicate that community-focused model or profile archivists preserving print media history.

3. Avoid Generic Celebrity Profiles

While Connors covers celebrities, she avoids superficial interviews. Instead, she dissects how stars like Madonna or Beyoncé used magazine covers to reshape their public images. Pitches should propose deep dives into a celebrity’s media strategy rather than routine Q&As.

Awards and Achievements

“Claire’s podcast is a masterclass in media literacy—it’s like getting a backstage pass to the stories behind the stories.” — Media Insider Newsletter, 2023

• Apple Podcasts Rating: With a 5.0 rating across 4 reviews, Under the Covers stands out for its niche focus and insider access. The show’s explicit discussions about industry inequities have sparked conversations in journalism circles.