GW Publishing Program

Alumni Profile – Casey Aimer & Amber Avila-Aimer

January 31, 2024February 1, 2024Alumni Profile, GW Publishing Program, Kudos, UncategorizedLeave a Comment

Employers, GW Publishing faculty, CPS staff, and others invariably remark about the impressive and evident talents of GW Graduate Program in Publishing students.

Casey Aimer and Amber Avila-Aimer are exemplars of the creative talents, analytical acumen, and entrepreneurial expertise of our publishing students. In early 2021, Publishing director, John W. Warren, was in conversations with Amber, who was considering her application to the publishing program. A few weeks later, he spoke with Casey about applying to GW Publishing. As their applications indicated they both possessed MFA’s from Texas State University, in literature and creative writing, respectively, it seemed logical they were acquainted; a few weeks later, they revealed that they were in fact partners. Amber and Casey moved to the Washington, DC, area to take publishing graduate courses in person; secured jobs with local publishers; and were subsequently engaged and married during their two years of study—GW Publishing’s first married couple. Along the way, they launched Radon, a literary magazine, while working full-time and studying.

Let’s start from the beginning: You were the first couple to apply here simultaneously, and you got married while in the program! Congratulations! What are some of the reasons you decided to pursue the MPS in Publishing degree? Why did you choose GW specifically?

Amber: Like most college graduates, we had a hard time securing jobs during the pandemic. We graduated from our first master’s programs and moved into Casey’s childhood home in Central Texas thinking that we would be there for a couple of months until we secured a job. Well, two months turned into ten and we were still looking for our next opportunity. Frustrated with the job searching process, I began to investigate editing certificates to help me sharpen my editorial skills while we kept chugging out applications. It was during this search that I came across the MPS in Publishing Program here at GW. I was honestly a bit hesitant to begin another two-year program, but after a virtual meeting with John Warren, I knew that we both had to apply. John did an incredible job at making me feel supported as a prospective student and the descriptions for the courses made me feel like this program would be the perfect fit for us. We had also been gunning to leave Texas after graduation so the program being in DC was just icing on the cake.

You moved to Alexandria, VA, to study for your MPS in Publishing in person, and were able to secure jobs in the publishing industry before you even landed in DC. Why did you decide to move to DC? How were you able to find jobs before even starting the program? Was it difficult to manage work schedules while studying for your MPS degree?

Casey: That we were able to find quality jobs in scientific and university publishing before arriving in DC is a testament to this program’s prestigious influence. Both companies we ended up with have higher-ups from this program or teach in it as professors. Rather than being a program famous in name alone, the program is known for producing top publishing professionals, and anyone getting into or completing the program are known to be competent assets for any publishing firm.

The MPS degree was wonderfully considerate of our time as working adults, especially when compared to our previous full-time master’s degrees. Yes, we had to budget our time, especially when planning a wedding at the same time, but we never felt that the demands from our classes were more than we could handle on any given week. The professors here are focused on giving you the knowledge and experience one needs to function at a high level in the industry, and it is free of busy work.

Amber: Adding onto a bit of what Casey has already mentioned, we really must tip our hats off to John Warren and Nicole Mintz for helping us navigate the DC job hunt. Without Nicole’s coaching and program-specific knowledge and John’s infinite connections, I am sure we would have had a much harder time finding such great opportunities. For those of you who are planning on getting their first jobs in publishing, I highly encourage you to set appointments with them both!

“…the program is known for producing top publishing professionals, and anyone getting into or completing the program are known to be competent assets for any publishing firm.”

Casey Aimer

After only your first or second course in the program, you took an idea you developed in a course and launched your own literary journal, Radon, which recently published its sixth issue. It’s been impressive to watch your trajectory developing this journal and sustaining it into several issues. You pay authors! How did you develop this idea? Were you able to work through some course assignments in the publishing program related to your journal?

C: I’ll admit that the idea for a literary journal that combines science fiction, transhumanism, and anarchism was one I’d held in my head for years. It is everything I wished existed when I was a young writer looking for a home and finding nowhere that accepted my unique passions. Especially for sci-fi and radically political poetry that I was instructed to shy away from in all my formal BA and MFA writing education. Life is hard as a writer, and the world needed more semi-pro lit mag publishers advocating for their authors and helping them reach the next stage of their career. Though the kernel was in my mind since the 2010s, my courses here did allow me to flesh out the concept, run through the viability, and create everything from a mission statement to early webpage drafts. The encouragement to follow one’s niche passion in the publishing industry dug deep in my neurons and gave me the confidence to pursue the idea to reality.

What advice would you give to new or prospective students to the MPS in Publishing program?

C: Try to come live in Alexandria if possible and attend in-person classes. The additional camaraderie you receive from your fellow students and professors is exceptional. There are plenty of scholarly and scientific publishing jobs in DC, too!

What course or professor made the biggest impact on you during your time at GW?

A & C: The most impactful courses are often the ones that are the most unassuming. The professors here have a knack for making any topic relevant, exciting, and integral to your work life. Whether it’s copyright law or management, you won’t know what to do without the skills once you’re done.

“I’m incredibly lucky I was able to harness learned skills from the program and apply them to my job at the same time.”

Amber Avila-Aimer

How are you using what you learned in your publishing courses in your day-to-day work as Editorial Coordinator, AAAS (Casey); and previously at the American Psychological Association, and now as Managing Editor at Wiley (Amber)?

C: Every publishing course gave us a little more of the puzzle that is the publishing industry. The production classes set you up to help in the production arm of wherever you work, the marketing courses provide insight into the labor that is getting society to notice your authors, and editorial courses will sew-up any areas you lack in your developmental/copy/line editing skills. So, the cop-out answer is that everything we learn is relevant to our day-to-day work at publishers and will serve us well into whichever role we choose next.

A: By the time I had moved into APA full-time, I had a foundational knowledge of the scholarly book publishing industry through the accumulation of my courses in the program. This made it a lot easier to “jump right in” at APA, so to speak.

All the courses in the editorial block of the program’s offerings (Mastering Book Acquisitions, The Professional Editor, and Editing Special Projects to name a few) gave me the guiding principles and technical know-how for my role at APA. I have spearheaded projects that include peer-review outreach, comparative and competitive research, inputting data into title management systems, eBook management, and book scheduling. Most recently, I provided a developmental review of an APA title set to be published next year and received exceptionally positive feedback from both developmental editors on the project.

I’m incredibly lucky I was able to harness learned skills from the program and apply them to my job at the same time. It’s an amazing feeling to come into a job and confidently say “I’m actually quite familiar with that [insert publishing thing here].”

You have both worked with Nicole Mintz, CPS Career Services Director, and participated in events such as our Publishing CareerBuilder webinars. How did you benefit from some of the career services at GW’s College of Professional Studies and the Publishing program specifically?

C: This program’s focus on industry placement is refreshing, and helpful each step of the way. It highlights how this program truly is for professional studies and those wanting to be at the top of their game in their chosen industry. The CareerBuilders spanned a wide gambit of topics, with something for everyone no matter which niche in the industry you want to pursue.

I’d also like to highlight the yearly GWU Publishing Ethics Conference. Each October it grows and all walks of professionals across the US attend. I highly recommend everyone who can attend in person to meet fascinating and important industry professionals.

Alumni Profile: Tina Donnelly, MPS 2022

March 31, 2023April 2, 2023Alumni Profile, Ethics in Publishing, Ethics in Publishing Conference, GW Publishing Program, Publishing Community, UncategorizedLeave a Comment

Tina Donnelly, MPS, is an Assistant Managing Editor at Penguin Random House, where she assists department heads with all aspects of audiobook production and record keeping, as well as supports the Managing Editorial team on audio and large print projects and metadata maintenance. She is a talented 2022 graduate of the MPS in Publishing program at George Washington University, and the program’s newest instructional assistant. In the latest in our series of alumni profiles, Tina shares her experiences in the GW Publishing program, her work on DEIA issues, and her work at PRH.

Tina Donnelly, MPS (2022)

Your current role is Assistant Managing Editor at Penguin Random House, where you work with audiobook and other products. Can you tell us about your work at PRH? What are some aspects you learned in the MPS in Publishing program have been helpful in your work?

As Assistant Managing Editor, I handle a variety of tasks within the audio department. While my main responsibility is maintaining the metadata of our thousands of audiobooks published each year, I also manage things such as web copy edits/updates, Canadian pricing conversions, and ONIX feeds, as well as proofing and reporting on titles in our Random House Large Print imprint, which is also handled by Audio. I enjoy my job immensely not only because I love books and audiobooks, but also because I get to work in so many different parts of the production and post-production process: all of which helps get our books into the hands of readers around the world.

Most everything I learned in the MPS in Publishing Program has been helpful in some way at improving my performance at Penguin Random House. One thing is simply a more thorough understanding of the publishing industry, and how a book goes from an author’s head to the hands of readers. A more solid knowledge of this process, not to mention the business behind it, went a long way in helping me understand just why we do the things we do at PRH. Additionally, the lessons on understanding brand image and audience interaction were essential at improving some of the more marketing-focused responsibilities at my job, such as celebrity narrator announcements and cover reveals.

…Getting to interact with the professors, all of whom are experts in their field and talented beyond measure… made understanding the real-world application of the material so much easier. Additionally, the professors’ stories and examples of working in publishing helped me to prepare for navigating the field.

What was the most challenging aspect of the MPS in Publishing program? What was the most rewarding?

The most challenging aspect of the publishing program was learning about areas of the industry that were not initially as interesting to me. As a reader and a lover of books, I was much more interested in the courses that focused on acquisition, copyright law, editing, and audience interaction. The more technical courses, ones that focused on coding, software, and technologies, were a bit more difficult for me. Thankfully, I had some truly gifted teachers that helped me along in areas that I struggled with, so it was more challenging than undoable, and I got exposure to a side of publishing that I otherwise would not have experienced.

The most rewarding part of the program was getting to interact with the professors, all of whom are experts in their field and talented beyond measure. The ability to learn lessons through the professors’ experiences in the field made understanding the real-world application of the material so much easier. Additionally, the professors’ stories and examples of working in publishing helped me to prepare for navigating the field.

What are some of the reasons you decided to pursue the MPS in Publishing degree? Why did you choose GW specifically?

I wanted to pursue a degree in publishing not only as an advantageous career move, but also because I have a genuine passion and interest in the field. As an avid reader, I have always wanted to work in publishing, and so I pursued a degree in the field. I firmly believe a degree in publishing will go a long way in securing one a position for an already highly sought-after job, not to mention that it will help tremendously with upward movement within the industry.

I chose George Washington University’s publishing program for several reasons, namely that their program simply looked the best. The curriculum was stacked with relevant and interesting-sounding courses, the instructors were all industry professionals, and best of all, the program was designed for “working adults,” which is what I was when applying. Plus, the program is at the George Washington University, a prestigious institution, and an affordable one at that.

Lastly, the staff and faculty while I was inquiring about the program were beyond helpful and informative; they were so patient and thoughtful in answering my many questions, phone calls, and emails. It was a level of care I had not received at other graduate programs, and it was something that really drew me to GW.

A highlight for us last year was having you present at our 12th GW Ethics in Publishing Conference—where you moderated the plenary with Kimberly Ayers Shariff, Executive Vice President, Strategy for Diversity Equity & Inclusion, Penguin Random House, and also presented your own capstone Ethics in Publishing project in a separate session! Can you tell us about the genesis and trajectory of your project, why you presented at the conference, and about your conference experience?

I took Randy Townsend’s Ethics in Publishing course in the Fall of my second year in the program. I wasn’t expecting to like it as much as I did; I thought it was an important and relevant class to take, but I didn’t realize how much I would gain or learn from it. I was really intrigued and impressed. One thing that stuck out to me was just how little diversity there was in publishing. I had a basic understanding that it was not as diverse as it could be, but I was a little surprised to find out just how overwhelmingly uniform the industry was. This homogeneity is reflected in both the publishing workforce and product output. This bothered me because as a big reader, I have always been able to see myself reflected in various stories, circumstances, and characters, and it saddened me that this was not the case for all readers. Or rather, that their portrayals in literature seemed limited, while mine seemed endless.

Tina Donnelly (l) and Kim Ayers Shariff (r, on screen) at the 12th GW Ethics in Publishing Conference

I was so drawn to this issue that I wanted to make it my capstone project for the course. Thus, I set out to make a case for why and how the industry can be more diverse, as well as a snapshot at its current demographics. The latter was the easy part; my own company, PRH, had just released their yearly diversity and inclusion report, and statistics for other companies were not difficult to find since this is an oft-discussed topic. The hard part came when I had to formulate my own ideas and suggestions for how to rectify the problem and move forward to a more diverse and representative publishing landscape. This is where Kim Shariff came in. Kim is the Executive Vice President, Strategy for Diversity Equity & Inclusion at PRH, and I had several conversations with her over what should be done, what is being done, and what further we can do to address this problem. Kim Shariff is an outstanding and insightful intellectual, as well as an experienced Diversity and Inclusion Officer, and she was able to give me some helpful ideas, tools, and attitudes towards tackling this issue. It is because of her guidance and advice that the presentation turned out so well, and I was proud to have her consult on it.

I wanted to present my findings at the Ethics in Publishing Conference namely because I am very passionate about this subject; it is close to my heart as a lifelong booklover who wants everyone to be able to indulge in the joys of reading. Additionally, Randy Townsend and John Warren both gave me some solid feedback on my initial capstone project, and I wanted to incorporate their suggestions to make it even stronger and more informative—more of a call-to-action, instead of mainly a passion project. I am happy to report that not only did I have the privilege of presenting my findings at the conference, but I also had the pleasure to moderate the plenary session with Kim Shariff, as well as get to see some other incredibly interesting and thought-provoking presentations from other GW alumni.

Equity in Action: From Corporate Initiatives to Team Practices (Plenary session of 12th GW Ethics in Publishing Conference)

What advice would you give to new or prospective students to the MPS in Publishing program?

The most important advice, in my opinion, is to study as broadly as you can and take classes outside of your normal interests. People move around in publishing a lot, and you never know what areas of study will come in handy later in one’s career. Also, another big piece of advice that seems basic but cannot be over-emphasized is to attend the online sessions. These are not technically required, but students will learn and gain so much more from the course if they attend the weekly online sessions. This is an opportunity to engage with other students, ask questions, clarify details of the week’s lesson and assignment, and bounce ideas of your classmates; one really goes so much farther if they can attend.

I chose GW’s publishing for several reasons, namely that their program simply looked the best. The curriculum was stacked with relevant and interesting-sounding courses, the instructors were all industry professionals, and best of all, the program was designed for “working adults,” which is what I was when applying. Plus, the program is at the George Washington University, a prestigious institution, and an affordable one at that.

What courses or professors had an impact on you during your time at GW?

Publishing Entrepreneurship with John Warren is exceedingly helpful for young publishing professionals. Even if you don’t plan to be an entrepreneur yourself, this course is great for understanding the basics of the business.

Copyright Law/Print & Cyberspace is an essential class for anyone who wants to work in publishing, no matter what area. Understanding the basic rules of copyright, trademark, and fair use is critical in any media field, and this course excellently teaches these concepts.

The Professional Editor is another course that anyone entering the publishing world should take. Even if one is not necessarily going into this department, this is an important course that covers not just editing, but also managing, proofing, team relations, and author interaction. If anyone wants to work with books or journals at all, this class is a must.

Production Management is a challenging course, but it goes without saying that this is a necessary course for anyone entering publishing. Having a basic understanding of the production process, even if one has nothing to do with the production side of things, is critical for understanding a book’s life cycle. Knowing this is vital because no matter what area of publishing one is in, production will affect them in one way or another, and it is best that one has a working knowledge of the process.

John Warren had a huge positive impact on my time at GW, not just as a professor but also as the program director. He was exceedingly helpful whenever I struggled and assisted me in navigating the program whenever I was uncertain how to proceed.

Dean Smith was also a major ally in my time at GW. As one of the first professors I had in the program, he helped prepare me for the rest of my education and gave me the confidence I needed to tackle my course load.

Both Josephine Sciortino and Rebecca Brenner were each such massive supports through their class, The Professional Editor. They each had so much wisdom and experience they shared in the course, not just about editing but also about how to successfully operate in all areas of publishing, as well as how to act as a true professional in the workplace. Their guidance and encouragement had such a positive impact on me in my last year of the program.

Greg Britton is another professor who is almost too good to be true. He is not only one of the kindest people I have ever met, but he is also an extraordinary talented professor and masterfully teaches his class on book acquisitions. His eagerness to connect with students and teach the material in a more interactive and collaborative fashion made such a difference in helping me to understand acquisitions more thoroughly, not to mention it made me much more interested in the topic.

The value of GW’s MPS in Publishing degree can truly not be overstated. The degree will not only bolster you as a candidate for publishing jobs, but it will also instill you with a sense of ease and confidence in navigating the field; one has, after all, mastered it. Personally, I have newfound respect (and responsibilities) at my own workplace because my team feels I can handle more, and they are correct.

Gatekeeping and Trade Publishing, Devyn Yan Radke, Tina Donnelly (12th GW Ethics in Publishing Conference)

What have you found to be the value of the MPS in Publishing degree, and how are you using what you learned, as a rising publishing professional?

It is unarguable that the value of GW’s MPS in Publishing degree can truly not be overstated. The degree will not only bolster you as a candidate for publishing jobs, but it will also instill you with a sense of ease and confidence in navigating the field; one has, after all, mastered it. Personally, I have newfound respect (and responsibilities) at my own workplace because my team feels I can handle more, and they are correct. I feel surer in myself as an employee and my own capabilities. The degree itself does a lot to impress one’s superiors too; just having it shows not only that you have a strong sense of how the business operates, but also that you cared enough to pursue higher education for your career, both of which go a long way in highlighting you as a dedicated professional.

Can you provide any other tips that might be helpful for prospective students?

Take as many electives as you can manage, and try to study things that are outside your comfort zone; you’ll be surprised at how much you may enjoy them. Business and entrepreneurial classes will teach you a lot about publishing on the ground level. Furthermore, take advantage of things like online sessions, office hours, Publishing Career Builders, and any conferences that you can attend. These are all great opportunities at GW to not only network but also sharpen your skills to prepare for the publishing landscape.

Two New Graduate Certificates Join GW Publishing program

November 8, 2022November 8, 2022GW Publishing ProgramLeave a Comment

Graduate Certificate in Publishing and Graduate Certificate in Publishing Management

The Master of Professional Studies in Publishing program, College of Professional Studies, at the George Washington University, has expanded its offerings to provide two new graduate certificates.

The Graduate Certificate in Publishing (PUBL-GC) is designed for aspiring professionals without significant publishing experience, and for those needing a comprehensive background in the fundamentals of publishing. Students include career changers, post-bachelor and post-graduate students who have earned their degrees in other disciplines, and publishing professionals who seek to expand their skills and knowledge through high-level coursework. The curriculum covers editing and acquisitions, marketing and publicity, copyright and licensing, production, management and business, and technology and design. Core coursework for this 18-credit certificate provides a broad foundation in the entire industry, regardless of deliver method (e.g., book, journal, or online), with additional electives in specializations including editorial, business, design, marketing, and technology.

The Graduate Certificate in Publishing Management (PUBM-GC) is designed for publishing professionals who have been working in the field for three or more years, and seek knowledge in more advanced topics, especially business and management. Professionals with a minimum of three years professional experience in publishing can use this program to advance their careers with advanced courses in business management, editorial management, rights management, and entrepreneurship. To earn the graduate certificate in publishing management, students must complete 18 credit hours.

The program faculty includes nationally and internationally recognized leaders in the publishing industry, directors and senior management from organizations such as Duke University Press, Georgetown University Press, Johns Hopkins University Press, Disney Publishing Worldwide, American Chemical Society, and others. This ensures that the Graduate Certificate in Publishing and the Graduate Certificate in Publishing Management provide a solid background for entry into all areas of publishing. Professionals already working in the field can enhance their careers with exposure to the latest technological advances.

“From time to time, we’ve had inquiries from prospective students who either already have a master’s degree in another field, or feel that they don’t need the full, 30-credit MPS in Publishing degree, but who are interested in developing their skills in specific areas of publishing,” says John W. Warren, director of GW’s Publishing program.

“These new graduate certificates are designed to meet those needs; the Graduate Certificate in Publishing for those new to the field of publishing, who will take core curriculum courses and a few electives; and the Graduate Certificate in Publishing Management, for experienced publishing professionals who will benefit from skills such as accounting and finance for publishing, global publishing, and other top-level courses.”

The Graduate Certificate in Publishing has 12 credits in required courses and 6 credits in electives. Required courses include:

PSPB 6201: Book and Journal Publishing (Fall) (3 Credits)
PSPB 6251: Fundamentals of Electronic Publishing (Fall) (2 Credits)
PSPB 6203: The Business of Publishing (Spring) (2 Credits)
PSPB 6205: Copyright Law in Publishing (Spring) (3 Credits)
PSPB 6207: Marketing Strategies (Summer) (2 Credits)

The Graduate Certificate in Publishing Management has 11 credits in required courses and 7 additional elective credits, which can be chosen by any courses in the publishing program. Required courses for the Graduate Certificate in Publishing Management include:

PSPB 6221: Publishing Management and Strategy (Fall) (2 Credits)
PSPB 6261: Editorial Contracts, Rights, and Permissions (Fall) (2 Credits)
PSPB 6214: The Professional Editor (Spring) (3 Credits)
PSPB 6223: Global Publishing (Spring) (2 Credits)
PSPB 6222: Accounting and Finance for Publishers (Summer) (2 Credits)

All credits from either graduate certificate program are transferable to the Master of Professional Studies in Publishing. Students who complete either certificate program will be eligible to receive their MPS in Publishing degree with the completion of 12 additional credits.