One woman in the media
Bringing new writers to the publishing table.
Publishing goals
This year is winding down very contentedly for me with my working as a project manager on The Wax Bullet War. I’ve been concerning myself with this manuscript since it came through acquisitions last year and I feel rather protective of it. With this manuscript, I realized just what an author is capable of achieving. I admire the heck out of our author, Sean Davis, for writing this thing and being open to our student press’s handling of it. This experience, especially during the Spring 2013 term, has reinforced what I hope to achieve in a career in publishing:
Promoting and protecting outstanding, undiscovered writing.
Helping undiscovered writers stay on target
During the end of my time at Ooligan, I realized that the above goal will be more possible in a digital capacity (I’m in the midst of a course on digital publishing). With a small domain registration fee, I was able to create website for women writers that operates as a media outlet for literary feminism. If one has the pluck and the software, one can make and distribute an e-book for free. I love the inventiveness of digital publishing. Rather than constructing a long-winded tirade to my friends about gender inequity in publishing, I constructed a digital platform for women writers.
I want to immerse myself in the day-to-day workings of publishing and grow as an editor and marketer. After editing David Foster Wallace for my Advanced Editing class, I feel confident about my developmental editing abilities. Other developmental edits in and outside of Ooligan have enforced this confidence. I am also interested in writing in a public relations or marketing capacity. After my time in the publishing program, I’ve found myself very comfortable writing snappy news articles, press releases, and professional copy for websites.
John Updike said it best in a 1967 interview with Paris Review, called “The Art of Fiction”:
I would write ads for deodorants or labels for catsup bottles if I had to. The miracle of turning inklings into thoughts and thoughts into words and words into metal and print and ink never palls for me.
As for me, I’m just one woman, but I'm within the media, not against it.
I'll write--and edit!--catsup bottle ads if I have to.