About the Sonoma County Gazette

Vesta Copestakes is a graphic designer by trade and has been in the advertising/marketing and public relations field for more than 35 years. "Publishing a newspaper wasn't even on my list of things to do, but when the opportunity to take over my local newspaper (The Forestville Gazette) came up, I took it. The paper was 12 pages with a 4,000 reader circulation at the time, so it seemed like something I could fit into the spaces between client work."

That was in 2002 and since then Vesta has increased the newspaper to 48 pages and a print circulation of 16,000 and this web site, designed to enhance advertiser benefits and broader readership.

"Because I have graphic design skills, I can publish this paper solo in my home office. My writing background in editorial and public relations helps as well. But the greatest asset is the fact that the paper is written by our readers. People submit more material than I can use every month, which is why the page count keeps growing. And repeat authors and columnists have become better and better writers over time. Readers constantly tell me how good the writing is. I respond that it's because our authors write from their hearts...and I tell them to write like they talk. Get the English teach off their shoulder! It's conversational journalism!"

The print edition of WCG comes out mid-month to supplement other local newspapers which come out on the first of the month. "Cooperative competition" is what Vesta calls it. 8,000 copies are mailed to four local communities and Vesta drops the other 5,500 on more than 170 newsstands from Santa Rosa to the Coast. "People are surprised that I do this myself, but I meet lots of people along the way, get to know shop owners, etc. and it keeps me in touch with my community." This also gives Vesta the opportunity to do research that she uses on her annual Small Town Shopping Tour that comes out in November and her Small Nursery Tour that comes out in March. "I publish these tours to encourage readers to shop locally. Get out of the shopping malls and home improvement store nurseries and take the back roads where real people own lovely businesses. It feeds our local economy."

The Sonoma County Gazette continues to be a one-woman show from ad sales and design to editing and full graphic production. "I find it easier to work by myself and I'm adamant about not getting mired by the complexities of being an employer. Besides, I have very low overhead and can work all hours of the day and night without having to coordinate with anyone. It's easier this way."

This also takes a lot of pressure off the advertising to editorial ratio since there are no salaries or ad commissions. Ad rates have remained low and there are many pages with no ads at all, so the layout and design remains clean while advertisers don't get jumbled in together fighting for attention. "My advertisers are why this paper exists. I encourage readers to support the businesses that support this paper. And I make sure their ads are placed with good stories, that they get good positions and that the ads don't clash with each other. It's a complex puzzle every month."

The Sonoma County Gazette continues to grow and gain respect from readers because of its unique perspective on news...proud to be 100% opinion representing the values and priorities of its community.