Pros
The magazine's owner has a lot of enthusiasm for editorial and an understanding of the business. Coming from a magazine owned by a big media corporation, this was a huge draw. Texas Monthly editors are still able to take risks and do ambitious projects. I have a really fantastic manager and I'm learning a lot. I like pretty much everyone. The benefits are really amazing.
Cons
The pool of magazine talent in Texas can feel limited. The magazine relies on staff writers. Some of them are very experienced; some are a little green and can be kind of unprofessional. Sometimes the magazine veers newspapery, especially online, which can be frustrating, but I still feel like I'm able to protect and own the more writer-forward projects I like doing.