Galen Kusic

Editor

Photojournalist Rich Turner recently announced the launch of the regional publication Soundings, where he serves as publisher/editor and features a multitude of journalism platforms focused on Bay-Delta art, culture and the environment.

Featuring artists, photographers, first-person narratives, historical and scientific essays, long-form journalism and fiction, the magazine revolves around the fascinating people and wonders that make up the greater Bay – Delta region of California.

“This is the right time to produce a magazine dedicated to stories and art that celebrate this unique region and we’re proud to have people with seasoned journalistic credentials working with us to cover stories you will not see in news-driven media,” said Turner.

Turner, a seasoned journalism veteran, began his journalism career after three years of high school photography, where the Navy sent him straight to working photo division instead of a 16-week school. There, he did everything from photo-mapping Antarctica to documenting scientists working in the field.

After being published in Navy publications, he joined the Roseville Press-Tribune for three years before taking on the role of Chief Photographer at the Stockton Record for 16 years. Since, he has operated his own fine art and commercial studio and most recently created “Delta Grandeur,” a traveling museum exhibit. It has appeared in several California state universities and historical museums.

Turner has shared the wonders and beauty of the Delta region through self-published books, exhibitions, lectures and exhibits for decades. While these were all solo projects, he realized that there might be a better way to reach more people by enlisting fellow journalists and photojournalists to cover a wider diversity of topics than he could on his own.

“This stunningly beautiful digital magazine features stories about the arts, culture and environment of the SF Bay and Delta region,” said subscriber Jasmine Leek. “Hope you’ll do what you can to support local journalism and keep authentic stories about our region alive.”

Funding for the project has primarily come from Turner, subscriptions and the help of a few corporate donors, but a unique aspect to Soundings is that it is crowdfunded, relying on subscriptions and patron support to ensure its success. In turn, editorial content will not be interrupted by advertising or pop-up distractions.

“This is challenging to be sure,” said Turner. “We hope there are enough people who feel that Soundings is worth far more than the modest memberships levels offered.”

Turner’s goal is to continue to grow the paid subscription base as well as additional corporate support to the point that the magazine is self-sustaining. By delivering fresh thinking and unique perspectives from accomplished and insightful journalists, photographers and artists, Soundings fills a need for independent, unbiased journalism covering a region that’s greatest stories are often left untold.

“Really enjoyed writing a story for the

inaugural edition of Soundings,” said Soundings contributing writer Alex Breitler. “This is a great new venue for telling stories about the people and cultures of the Bay-Delta estuary, so please check it out and if you feel so inspired, subscribe!”

By filling that void, Turner aims to give a voice to a diverse group of contributors throughout the region to reflect on its many wonders and viewpoints that are currently in peril.

“We protect what we love. We are increasing awareness of what may be lost if the region is allowed to be mismanaged into oblivion,” he said. “The largest challenge facing the Delta right now is the notion of twin tunnels. If we don’t protect the Delta, we risk losing not only the economic growth and sustainability, but the loss of historic communities as well.”

Turner plans to tackle these issues and more affecting the region’s social and environmental justice communities as the audience grows to the point Soundings has the resources to do so. By focusing on the arts, people and places of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and San Francisco Bay Area, he is hopeful that the best writers, photographers and artists of the region will want to be among the magazine’s bank of contributors.

“We need subscribers and corporate support to continue through 2019 and beyond,” he said.

Contributors are encouraged to submit stories and ideas they think are of interest and importance to the region. Soundings will also be doing occasional features on area artists who are encouraged to submit information on their projects. The publication will also be accepting submissions under the heading of “Guest Editorials.”

Contact rich@soundingsmag.net for information about the benefits of a corporate scholarship or submissions. To visit the site and subscribe, visit www.soundingsmag.net.