Will Hearst
Will Hearst is the editor and publisher of Alta Journal, which he founded in 2017. He is the board chair of Hearst, one of the nation’s largest diversified media and information companies. Hearst is a grandson of company founder William Randolph Hearst.

Publisher’s Note: The Call of the Desert
Alta Journal editor and publisher Will Hearst reflects on the romantic desert—and the one that lies in our future.

Marion Davies on Her Own Terms
A new biography of the famous actress reveals her to be far more than the mistress of William Randolph Hearst.

Living Treasures of the American West
Alta Journal publisher Will Hearst finds high art in fine crafts.

They Build Rockets Here
Astra aims to be a courier service for space, offering daily launches and delivering small payloads to orbit.

The Promise of a New Space Age
Alta Journal editor and publisher Will Hearst asks for your help in seeking out the best independent bookstores in the West.

Audience Is the Future
In his quarterly letter to the readers of Alta Journal, editor and publisher Will Hearst shares his excitement for the ways in which creative individuals are transforming how we consume information.

The Poet as a Storyteller
Alta Journal publisher Will Hearst shares his personal memories of Jim Harrison.

She Helped Him ‘Do Life’
For more than 35 years, Joyce Harrington Bahle was Jim Harrison’s typist, trusted friend, and fierce protector. Today, she safeguards his legacy and his estate.

Hidden in Plain Sight
The West is full of secret places with secret histories. Alta Journal editor and publisher Will Hearst and wilderness-loving futurist Paul Saffo share their favorites.

The End of Hibernation
In his quarterly publisher’s note, Will Hearst envisions a summer of exploration to find the places that feel like home.

Imagine a Wilder Future
In his quarterly note to Alta’s readers, publisher Will Hearst charts a course for the next West.

Art, Beauty, and Passion
In his quarterly publisher’s note, Will Hearst explains the origin of Alta’s high standards—and our plan to keep your mind moving.

Postcards from the Future
Kevin Kelly had a hand in creating the WELL, Wired, the Long Now clock, and other visionary projects. His new idea: one million people working together in real time. What they might accomplish is anyone’s guess, but it promises to be awesome.

Look Past First Impressions
Will Hearst wraps up the mystery and ties together the loose ends—just like every good noir story—in his quarterly publisher’s note.

Extraordinary Voyages

The Science of Publishing
Alta publisher Will Hearst proposes a new way of thinking about the content we deliver our readers—right down to the advertisements that appear in our magazine.

London’s Newest Queen
A recent London transplant, Tales of the City writer Armistead Maupin tells Will Hearst why he left his beloved San Francisco, what his next big book might be, and how much he likes his new surroundings (spoiler: a lot).

Talking with David Talbot
The author of Between Heaven and Hell discusses his stroke, his recovery, and what it means to restart his life.

The Inspiration for Alta

‘You’re an Artist. That’s What You Do.’
In what would be his final interview, the famed Marin County–based landscape painter Russell Chatham tells Alta publisher Will Hearst where he finds inspiration, what it’s like to work on commission, and why Gauguin brought him to tears.

Art, Science, and the Wild
In his Fall 2019 Publisher's Note, Will Hearst ruminates on the importance of staying unmoored.

Anthony Wood and the Future of Streaming
Do you watch Netflix or Hulu on a smart TV? The CEO of Roku reveals how his company helps those services (and soon Disney and Apple, too) stream movies, sports, and TV programs.

Publisher's Note: The Far West Is Our North Star
Publisher Will Hearst looks westward to answer the oft-asked question, “What is Alta about?”

The Spirit of This Era

Writing Her Own Script
Lucy Fisher started out as a waitress, but ended up running the studio. Will Hearst sits down for a Q&A with the groundbreaking Hollywood executive.

A Refuge for the Written World
Publisher Will Hearst reflects on our first year of Alta Journal.

Not Just Another Talking Head
In a conversation with Alta Publisher and Editor Will Hearst – his former Harvard roommate – Talking Heads mainstay Jerry Harrison expounds on music, business and life

The Next Step
Anne Gust Brown talks about governing and life with Jerry

Recipe For Change
The woman who changed the way we eat looks back at nearly 50 years of running her famed restaurant, Chez Panisse — and looks forward to innovative ways to feed the next generation.

Portrait of the Architect: Frank Gehry
The legendary architect talks about his life and work.