The Rocket

Select image to see Evening Magazine interview

Charles R. Cross, Editor in Chief of The Rocket magazine, was a journalist, a Seattle music historian and bestselling author.

I freelanced for several Seattle magazines including The Rocket during the 1990s.

Pink Umbrellas Love Rainydaze began with this message on Facebook in January of 2024. I was overwhelmed with the task of managing a rough draft of over 60,000 words. The book was about my adventures freelancing in Seattle.

I’d interviewed a dozen editors through a Craigslist ad, but too many were artificial intelligence bots. I knew he’d be a great editor for this project. I wasn’t expecting much.

It started with a question about writing historic fiction. I asked if he wanted to appear in the stories as a composite character, or as himself. He said yes as himself. He added that I didn’t actually need his “permission” to cite him in a semi-fictionalized story, because he was a public figure (unless I slandered him, then it would be a problem).

He suggested that I use The Chicago Manual of Style, and to forget the dozens of style guides I’d read. I was to use just one style and stick to it. He sent a copy ofThe Rocket’s original 1996 style sheet which is based on The Chicago Manual of Style. For reference use the Washington digital newspapers archives where all of the ‘zines are available (free).

Note: Other sites charge a fee to access the Digital Newspaper Archives, but the real Washington Digital Newspapers archives are free.

Zola McDaniel is my pen name, my byline was “Katie McMillan” during the 1990s. The Rocket’s free digital archives are on: washingtondigitalnewspapers.org

An interactive calendar appears with the Google search phrase: washington digital newspapers the rocket magazine

This is a screen shot of Charley talking to reporters in the lobby of the Jordan Building on April 8th, 1994 about Kurt Cobain. His corner office was above The Palace restaurant sign in the next photo.

Charley liked the premise but not my grammar. I agreed 100%.

What follows are a fraction of the clips from his editor’s comments.

The most important thing I learned is tomorrow is not guaranteed. What started as a fun masterclass in the art of spare writing and Seattle history from one of my literary heroes, became a crash course in the here and now.

I didn’t know Charley well during the 1990’s, but he had the final word on my copy. Writing for The Rocket was an adventure. I worked in Pioneer Square dive bars, rode a bicycle, and covered a wide variety of “alternative music” genres. I love reggae, world beat, jazz, blues, R&B, funk, folk, and the Pike Place Market Players, a troupe of open-air musicians. The mass of grunge music reporting went to staff reporters. I enjoyed the grunge scene in Seattle, but not always the sound quality in some of the dive clubs. All music is subjective and there’s no wrong way to experience it. Sometimes, the dive clubs were oversold, or crowded beyond a safe capacity (occupancy), and the mosh pit would get too physical. I didn’t enjoy violent music scenes. I don’t enjoy or promote violent or harmful themes in any music. This gallery is a small sample of my clips from City Heat, The Rocket, The Stranger, and Wire,

Pink Umbrellas Love Rainydaze Out Now On Amazon.com