Emma McClatchey

The 2025 AAN conference was informative, validating, and inspiring—held at a historic lakeside hotel in Madison and the stunning Wisconsin Historical Society. During an evening cocktail hour, attendees viewed extraordinary print artifacts: the first public printings of the Declaration of Independence, U.S. Constitution, and Star-Spangled Banner; editions of Frederick Douglass’ Paper and Susan B. Anthony’s The Revolution; and subversive leftist magazines like The Black Panther, Leviathan, Maine Times, The Free Statesman, Ann Arbor Argus, Kaleidoscope, and many more.

A standout moment was connecting with Dan Perkins (a.k.a. Tom Tomorrow), whose keynote traced decades of political cartooning supported by alt-weeklies. Since Little Village has published “This Modern World” since our first issue in 2001, meeting him deepened my understanding of our own editorial roots.

The “fireside chat” with Katie Drummond, editor-in-chief of WIRED magazine, was a personal highlight. I took five pages of notes. Her insights were sharp and deeply resonant:

• Be indispensable to readers—and prove it every day. 
• Follow the money to find the real stories.  
• Let readers know and trust individual reporters.  
• Build community through journalism.  
• Forget the myth of objectivity—report truthfully and accurately.  
• And yes, “obsessive freaks” make the best fearless journalists.

The conference opened with a candid editorial roundtable on the threats facing independent magazines: revenue shortfalls, safety concerns, generative AI, mainstream media’s rightward shift, and the lack of defense for press freedom against Trump-era lawsuits and threats. Dozens of issues surfaced and were discussed throughout the event, culminating in creative, actionable solutions.

For example, Little Village is now developing a stated AI policy to help readers understand how and why we do (and mostly do not) use AI products. We’re also exploring membership with Reporter’s Shield, whose representative shared their “prevent, respond, defend” approach to legal threats and SLAPP lawsuits.

Breakout sessions tackled everything from cover design and internship programs to FOIA requests, copyright best practices, and working with influencers—each offering practical tools to strengthen our editorial resilience.

Overall, the networking opportunities provided by the conference were invaluable. In this shrinking industry, solidarity and institutional knowledge are everything.

After the awards ceremony, I was approached by Liam Beran at Isthmus, the host city’s publication, to provide some on-the-record reflections. You’re welcome to read that here.

My only regret is that the stormy weather canceled the scheduled pontoon ride on the beautiful Lake Mendota! But besides the wind and rain, I got exactly what I wanted from the experience: new connections, encouraging thoughts, applicable advice and, at risk of sounding cheesy, the inspiration to keep fighting for a better world.

I can’t thank you enough for making my trip to the 2025 AAN conference possible.