Twenty minutes with David Granger

David Granger is an iconic figure to me. Someone who lives in a world that seems like a fantasy. So, having absolutely no sleep the night before, I decided to call up the "Esquire" offices and coax his secretary into letting me talk to him.

It worked.

Gin Ando: Is this Mr. Granger?

David Granger: It is. How're you doing?

GA: I'm doing good. Well, it's going very well.

DG: Good, good.

GA: ... Did you say you're not doing good?

DG: No, no. What's going on? What's going on in the world that makes you feel good?

GA: ... Uh... let's see. Investigative journalism. Being a journalism student -- there's nothing like feeling like you have a month's worth of work to do for maybe 500 words.

DG: [Laughs] Yeah, so where are you? Is this for the University of Cincinnati?

GA: Yeah, it's fo...

DG: Oh, yeah. I used to live not far from there... in western Kentucky for a while. Went to the University of Tennessee. But, you know, I'll always love New York. So, what can I do for you?

GA: Well, really, it's just kind of a question and answer kind of thing. First of all, whenever I tell people I read "Esquire," I feel like they always just brush it off because they always see George Clooney or a woman on the cover. So what do you feel "Esquire" puts out there that no one else does?

DG: Well, that's a hard question because a lot of stuff we do is completely unique. In terms of journalism, there's nobody who does anything like the adventurous writing that we do. I think my writers take more chances and write things with more passion. And at the same time, they're absolutely more scrupulous than any other magazines in the world. Other than that, I think we create a vastly entertaining environment. I have people who take time to read the magazine who usually tell me, "Your magazine is funny." They say it like they're surprised. And, you know, I love that reaction.

GA: A story that I found was really... I don't know if controversial is the right word... but it was a story by Colby Buzzell. The one when he had to go back to the army. I was wondering if you talk to your writers and say "Do a story about this," or do they approach you?

DG: Well, by that time he'd written a bunch of stories for us. I said, "Colby, you've got to write about this." We saw it immediately as an injustice for them to force him to come back to the army. But with Colby, we knew it'd be entertaining and a gripping story. With Colby, we find stories that only he could write. Sometimes, writers will come to us with story ideas, but often times we send ideas to our regular writers.

GA: So, what kind of advice do you have for young writers that would like to write for your publication?

DG: You know... The only thing I can say is write. The writers that -- I mean if you're a writer, you're going to write. I mean, Tom Junod was selling women's shoes all across Texas. No, women's handbags all across Texas. I discovered him when I was working at "GQ" magazine and just sort of said, "You've got the gift." I mean, writers write. I don't think writers or editors can say, "My career path will lead me to 'Esquire' or 'The New York Times.'" There's no career path. I had seven jobs and two periods of freelance in my first 10 years in New York -- it wasn't exactly a linear path to "Esquire."

GA: I'm curious, how do you see the future of magazines?

DG: I think magazines have to continue to make people feel excited to read them. I do things... mildly insane things... with the cover. I think we have to do everything we can. I think the Web is kind of an impoverished way to experience any kind of magazine content. I think we just have to continue to experment with our medium, but I know the best way to experience a magazine is with ink and paper. Nothing else allows the collision of words and images and design to come together and create something that's as exciting and compelling and beautiful. Magazines' biggest challenge right now? It's to not get scared and not curl up in a ball and worry about the future. We have to continue to do really bold things.

GA: Do you think print journalism will ever become outdated?

DG: No.. I don't see that happening. I don't see a replacement. I mean, what's print? The definition of print is expanding every day. I can't imagine living without the journalistic function "The New York Times" provides every day. It's a miracle. So anyway, what're you doing tonight?

GA: Actually, I'm not doing anything. For once. My girlfriend lives in another city, so just being able to sit around at home once in a while is nice.

DG: Are you from Ohio?

GA: Originally from Minnesota. But I moved here when I was...

DG: You know, I've never been to the University of Cincinnati. I've been to Cincinnati. All right, man. Good luck with your assignment.

GA: Uh... all right. Well, thank you very much Mr. Granger I a...

DG: All right. See you later, man.

David Granger has been editor-in-chief of "Esquire" since 2001.