Read Online Blaze by Di Morrissey - Free Book Online Page A

technologically and creatively – so I want the best people in there. There will be a lot of reorganising to create the slick and classy magazine I envision will reflect the character of this young yet sophisticated country.’
    â€˜Are you starting from scratch or taking over an existing magazine?’ asked Ali, feeling that she needed to show at least a bit of interest.
    â€˜I have bought out an independent Australian magazine started by a woman who was backed by a financier, apparently with very deep pockets. She tried to do what I had done with Blaze decades ago. Unfortunately for her, it didn’t work.’
    â€˜I imagine it’s difficult to survive without being part of an . . . empire,’ finished Ali, after searching momentarily for the right word.
    â€˜That’s right. Most Australian magazines have traditionally been run by Packer or Murdoch. News Corp dominates the newspaper industry, but they have also started to move into the magazine market. With Triton’s backing, I intend Blaze to target a unique quality market in Australia, as it has in other countries.’
    Ali recalled Nina telling her when she first started working for Blaze that she’d used her own money inherited from her late husband to start her magazine . It was one of the early lessons Ali had learned and filed away – money equals power.
    Nina continued, ‘So, my best people must be right up there. Ali, I’m asking you to be the founding editor of Blaze Australia . You are ready to take on what will be a formidable job . . .’
    â€˜Australia! An editor in Australia!’ Ali couldn’t stop the exclamation that exploded from her.
    Nina interpreted her stunned response as surprise and didn’t appear to hear the negative shock that registered in Ali’s voice. ‘The Triton board has moved quickly to accept the recommendation of Irene da Costa as editor of Blaze here in the US following Lorraine’s tragic death. This is one of the cream jobs in publishing. Naturally, Irene has accepted.’
    It took a minute for the fact to register that someone else had already been appointed editor of Blaze in New York. Ali fumbled to make a sensible comment while her mind was spinning. ‘Irene’s leaving Bazaar ?’ Ali knew the glamorous da Costa. ‘She must be nearing forty. Is she up on today’s issues and tastes?’ asked Ali with a hard edge to her voice.
    â€˜If she isn’t, she’ll hire the right people who are. I should tell you that she has made it clear who she intends to appoint as her deputy, although that information is confidential at this stage.’
    Ali was shocked. Not only had her long-craved ambition to become editor of Blaze USA been thwarted, she had also been supplanted in her role as deputy editor of Blaze. And what was just as frightening to her, as a woman who prided herself on being on top of what was happening in the executive suites above, she had known nothing of these manoeuvres that now threatened her entire career.
    Nina continued. ‘Ali, being an editor is more than keeping up with trends. With Blaze you inherit the mantle of a successful institution with profit expectations. The administrative role is as powerful as the editorial. This will apply equally with the new Australian Blaze. I believe you are up to this – that is, if you want to take it on?’
    â€˜I was hoping to make my mark in New York,’ said Ali tensely.
    â€˜And you have. Which is why you have been chosen. Your Australian background will be useful too.’
    â€˜I’m totally out of touch with what’s happening there!’ said Ali vehemently, wondering if by some miracle she could at least hold on to the deputy editor’s job in New York, if da Costa hadn’t yet signed on someone else.
    â€˜I would imagine you’ll be on top of things in Australia very quickly,’ said Nina smoothly. ‘Starting up