As publishers, we develop expertise in publishing the work of others, in acquisitions, editorial management, peer review, and in myriad roles that add value to authors and extend scholarship. In our upcoming Publishing CareerBuilder, we will explore the impact of getting involved with and contributing to publishing journals. We’ll discuss the benefits of writing for and publishing an article in publishing journals, serving as a peer reviewer, serving on an editorial board or as Editor-in-Chief. Join us as we explore the impact these activities can have on one’s career and the impact these journals have on the publishing ecosystem. Our webinars in the popular Publishing CareerBuilder series focus on career opportunities, publishing roles and sectors, and job search strategies. Publishing your research and articles about publishing forces, issues, and best practices contributes to the advancement of the publishing ecosystem and has a positive impact on your career.
Dr. Alyssa Arbuckle, Co-Editor, Journal of Electronic Publishing; Cluster Co-Facilitator, INKE Partnership
Tia Gracey, Managing Editor, GW Journal of Ethics in Publishing; Associate Editor, American Political Science Association
Jocelyn Hargrave, Editor, Publishing Research Quarterly; Lecturer in Publishing, University of Derby
Lois Jones, Editor-in-Chief, GW Journal of Ethics in Publishing; Peer Review Director, Journals, American Psychological Association (APA)
Jodie Martire, Associate Editor of Publishing Research Quarterly, Ph.D. candidate, University of Queensland
Michelle Urberg, PhD, MSLIS, North American Editor for Learned Publishing, on behalf of Society for Scholarly Publishing; Client Success Manager, LybLynx
This event is sponsored by GW’s Graduate Program in Publishing,is free of charge, and is open to current and prospective students, alumni,and members or aspiring members of the publishing, library, and scholarly communication community.
Co-moderated by Nicole Mintzand John W. Warren
Bios
Dr. Alyssa Arbuckle(she/her) is the Co-Editor of the Journal of Electronic Publishing and a researcher with the Implementing New Knowledge Environments Partnership, where she co-facilitates its Connection cluster. Until 2024, Alyssa served as Co-Director of the Electronic Textual Cultures Lab at the University of Victoria as well as Co-Director of the Digital Humanities Summer Institute. Alyssa holds an interdisciplinary PhD from the University of Victoria; her dissertation focused on open social scholarship and its implementation.
Tia Gracey(she/her) is the Managing Editor for the GW Journal of Ethics in Publishing and the Associate Editor for the American Political Science Association. She has recently earned her Master’s in Professional Studies in Publishing at George Washington University and, before that, earned her Master’s in Liberal Arts at McDaniel College. She enjoys reading, playing video games, and has recently picked up studying Japanese in her free time.
Jocelyn Hargrave (she/her) is an Australian-born Lecturer in Publishing at University of Derby. Her research intersects book history (early modern to nineteenth century), editorial theory and practice, and contemporary publishing studies, with particular focus on educational and academic publishing. She is the author of Teaching Publishing and Editorial Practice: The Transition from University to Industry (Cambridge University Press, 2022), The Evolution of Editorial Style in Early Modern England (Palgrave Macmillan, 2019), and numerous articles published in international journals such as Publishing Research Quarterly, Journal of Scholarly Publishing, Media History and Logos. Jocelyn is a practising editor, with more than twenty-five years’ experience working in the publishing industry; in July 2023, she was appointed Editor of Publishing Research Quarterly.
Lois Jones (she/her) is Editor-in-Chief, GW Journal of Ethics in Publishing, and Peer Review Director for the Journals Department at the American Psychological Association (APA), where she oversees the peer review strategy and operations for 90 journals. Lois is focused on ensuring a transparent and ethical peer review process for authors, while providing reviewers and editors with the exceptional support they need in the constantly changing landscape of scholarly publishing. She is a 2014 graduate of the MPS in Publishing from GWU and a 2017 Early Career Fellow for SSP.
Jodie Martire(she/her) is a PhD candidate at The University of Queensland. Her doctoral research focuses on minority-language publishing in Australia and its role in communities’ defense of their linguistic human rights. She has over 20 years’ experience in the book trade as a writer, translator, editor, publishing manager, and bookseller, and she is currently the Associate Editor of Publishing Research Quarterly (responsible for book reviews).
Michelle Urberg (she/her) is a publishing professional, a trained librarian, and a musicologist. She has deep knowledge of metadata standards, metadata creation in the library and publishing software industries. She has worked in academic libraries, as a metadata librarian for the ExLibris business unit of ProQuest (Clarivate), and an Implementation Project Manager for ESBCO Information Services. She is currently an independent consultant and the Client Success Manager for LibLynx and the North American Editor of Learned Publishing. Recent research projects include identifying options for standard identifiers and metadata exchange of audio-visual content and improving metadata for digital humanities projects. Michelle holds a PhD in Music History and a MS in Library and Information Science. She was previously active with Metadata 2020. She is currently active in SSP, NISO, and ACRL. She is an active member of NISOs VAMD working group.
5/15/23 update: The submission deadline for proposals has been extended to June 30, 2023. Thanks to all who have already submitted a presentation proposal. We have some great ones and will be in touch soon!
The 13th GW Ethics in Publishing Conference will be held on Thursday, October 12, 2023, as a hybrid event, with in-person and virtual presentations and attendees, at the George Washington University’s Arlington Learning Center, in Arlington, VA (Washington, DC metro area).
Submit your presentation proposal by June 30, 2023 (extended from May 15). We welcome your proposals for presentations and will seek to accommodate as many presentations as possible. Please indicate on the form whether you are able to present in person or online.
We are soliciting conference presentations from (and for) publishing and library professionals, scholars, faculty, and students.
Potential topics include but are not limited to: • Salaries/compensation/openness • Sustainability of presses • Accessibility • Diversity & Inclusion • Inclusive practices in language editing and design • Community-centered peer review practices • Multilingualism • Demographics of university publishing—staff, authors, reviewers, & editorial boards • Author outreach and education • Free speech and censorship • New university presses & their relationship to established university presses • International partnerships between presses in developed & developing economies • Ethics in accounting for publishing costs • Ethical considerations of AI in publishing • Author integrity (plagiarism, et cetera)
Fall at GW
Alumni and current students in the GW Publishing program are invited to present their Ethics in Publishing Capstone projects.
Presentations will include invited speakers, multiple speaker panels, and short presentations. See presentations and slides from the 12th Ethics in Publishing Conference.
The 13th Ethics in Publishing Conference co-organizers are Puja Telikicherla, Licensing & Subsidiary Rights Manager, American Psychiatric Association Publishing, and Adjunct Professor, George Washington University; and John W. Warren, Director and Association Professor, Master of Professional Studies in Publishing, George Washington University.
The Association of University Presses (AUPresses), the Society for Scholarly Publishing (SSP), the Council of Science Editors (CSE), and the Association of American Publishers (AAP) are sponsors of the GW Ethics in Publishing Conference.
Attendance (in person and virtual) to the conference will be free-of-charge.
We will endeavor to accommodate as many presentations as possible. Registration for the conference is free. Use this form to submit your proposal for presenting at the conference. A registration form for attendees will be available at a later date.
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.
In the latest in our series of alumni profiles, Wes Bryant, talented graduate of the Master of Professional Studies in Publishing program, 2022, shares his perspectives on publishing and his varied and impressive background. Wes J. Bryant is a retired master sergeant and former special operations joint terminal attack controller in the elite special warfare branch of the U.S. Air Force. He is coauthor of the book Hunting the Caliphate: America’s War on ISIS and the Dawn of the Strike Cell, a first-person account co-written alongside the former ground force commander of Iraq, retired Major General Dana J.H. Pittard. An author, editor, and defense analyst with focus on foreign policy, counterterrorism, and extremism, Wes works as a defense and aerospace professional specializing in advanced communications technologies. He holds a BA in Asian Studies from the University of Maryland, a MPS in Publishing through George Washington University, and is currently pursuing his Master of Business Administration and STEM studies at George Washington University.
What was the most challenging aspect of the MPS in Publishing program? What was the most rewarding?
Wes Bryant
The most challenging aspect for me, initially, was that I was not working at a publishing house but in the technology industry, and had no real-world foundation within which to apply some of the material aside from my work as an independent author/editor. It was easier once I realized that things like acquisitions, marketing and sales, P&L forecasting, etc. share commonalities across industries. I started finding these similarities, and as I simultaneously gained more and more understanding of the publishing industry, things began coming together.
The most rewarding aspect of the program was gaining a high-level understanding of the business of publishing as well as constantly exploring business ventures across the publishing landscape—be they entrepreneurial or with established companies—throughout various coursework.
The most rewarding aspect of the program was gaining a high-level understanding of the business of publishing as well as constantly exploring business ventures across the publishing landscape—be they entrepreneurial or with established companies
What are some of the reasons you decided to pursue the MPS in Publishing degree, and why did you choose GW specifically?
As an independent author and editor, I wanted to advance my understanding within the publishing arena. I have also had budding aspirations of potential entrepreneurship in the publishing realm. I chose GW because it is a very reputable institution, and I was impressed by the program content.
What are your plans after graduating from the MPS in Publishing program?
As the program has catapulted my understanding of the business of publishing as well as my capability for industry navigation as an author and editor, I hope to continue to build on the skills and knowledge gained to excel in my career pursuits.
What advice would you give to new or prospective students to the MPS in Publishing program?
Establish what you would like to do with the MPS degree—how it will advance your knowledge and abilities and/or growth potential in your current profession. Or, as the case may be, how it could help to land you in the profession or role you want to be. Approach the program with that in mind, and then shape your class choices accordingly.
Who (or what course) has made the biggest impact on you during your time at GW?
John Warren, the program director, without doubt had the biggest impact during my time at GW. He was always there for questions, consult, concerns, or issues—and helps students guide where they would like to go, or figure that out to begin with.
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 professional?
The MPS in Publishing has given me unique business perspective. Specific to the business of publishing, I would feel empowered stepping into a role in a publishing house or even starting my own publishing operation with the understanding, knowledge, and skill gained from the program. And as an independent author and freelance editor, it has given me a skillset and knowledge base that I will continue to draw on and build upon for years to come.
The program’s business curriculum crosses boundaries and is applicable to a wide array of industries. Profit and loss analysis, for example, is critical to the core of any business. And the program focuses on business fundamentals such as operations, organizational management, and understanding product life cycle from market research to acquisition to design, development, production, distribution, sales, and marketing.
How are you using what you learned in your publishing courses in your day-to-day work at L3Harris Technologies, and as an author and editor?
My MPS in Publishing has complimented my career in the technology industry, as the program’s business curriculum crosses boundaries and is applicable to a wide array of industries. Profit and loss analysis, for example, is critical to the core of any business. And the program focuses on business fundamentals such as operations, organizational management, and understanding product life cycle from market research to acquisition to design, development, production, distribution, sales, and marketing. Additionally, in my work as an author and editor, the program has given me an incredibly broad array of tools to utilize.
The GW Publishing Book Club, organized by the Graduate Publishing program at The George Washington University, is a space for publishing students, alumni, faculty, and members of the publishing, library, and scholarly communication community to read and discuss titles on the history of the book, the history of publishing, and similar topics.
In Impermanent Blackness: The Making and Unmaking of Interracial Literary Culture in Modern America, author Korey Garibaldi explores interracial collaborations in American commercial publishing—authors, agents, and publishers who forged partnerships across racial lines—from the 1910s to the 1960s. Garibaldi shows how aspiring and established Black authors and editors worked closely with white interlocutors to achieve publishing success, often challenging stereotypes and advancing racial pluralism in the process.
John Fisher, a GW MPS in Publishing student who worked as a freelance editor with Korey on this book, will also join us for the discussion.
You may also sign up to be a member of the GW Publishing Book Club (not required for this event). Publishing Book Club members receive a 50 percent discount on the book.
GW students, faculty, and staff are invited to join us for this event, in person or via Zoom. If you are not a GW student, faculty, or staff, you will need to provide ID at the entrance to Gelman Library.
The GW Journal of Ethics in Publishing invites publishing professionals, academics, and students to submit articles, case studies, or presentations for our upcoming special edition issue. We are specifically looking for articles addressing publishing ethics in University Press institutions and publications.
Deadline to submit for special issue: August 1, 2023.
Salaries/compensation/openness
Sustainability of presses
Accessibility
Diversity & Inclusion
Inclusive practices in language editing and design
Community-centered peer review practices
Multilingualism
Demographics of university publishing—staff, authors, reviewers, & editorial boards
Author outreach and education
Free speech and censorship
New university presses & their relationship to established university presses
International partnerships between presses in developed & developing economies
Ethics in accounting for publishing costs
Ethical considerations of AI in UP publishing
Author integrity (plagiarism, et cetera)
If you are interested in writing about other topics that you think would be a good fit for the journal, such as AI, DEI, accessibility, the peer review process, and sustainability, please review ourInstructions for Authorsor reach out to our Editor-in-Chief, Lois Jones (lijones@email.gwu.edu). While these topics may not be considered for the special issue, we are always accepting new submissions for the journal.
Scholarly communications and publishing organizations across the industry are invited to join the Society for Scholarly Publishing (SSP), The Scholarly Kitchen (TSK), and the Masters in Publishing program at George Washington University (GW) in highlighting issues of publishing ethics during the first-ever unofficial “Publishing Ethics Week,” happening this week, October 10-14, 2022.
Launching today with a special collection of resources, #PublishingEthicsWeek22 brings together events, toolkits, best practices, and original research from a host of scholarly publishing organizations:
American Chemical Society
AUPresses
Coalition for Diversity in Scholarly Communications (C4DISC)
The Society for Scholarly Publishing (SSP) 44th Annual Meeting, June 1-3, at the wonderful Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk, was a chance to reconnect with familiar faces, meet new colleagues, share, and learn over the course of a few days. For most attendees, it was their first in-person publishing conference since the COVID-19 pandemic; for many younger professionals, it was the first publishing conference of their careers.
It was wonderful to see so many GW Publishing alumni at the conference; recent graduates who are just beginning to make their mark in publishing, and others who are reaching the highest levels of the profession.
2022 MPS in Publishing graduates Ashley Warren, Marketing Communications Manager at Sage Publishing, Danielle Galian, Editor at Wiley, presented for the first time at a major conference, along with Randy Townsend, Director of Publishing Operations at PLOS and adjunct faculty in GW Publishing, and John W. Warren, Director and Associate Professor of GW Publishing, on Strategic Management—Of Your Career.
Introducing the band, The Erratas (L-R): John W. Warren. Danielle Galian, Ashley Warren, Randy Townsend
In this interactive session, we explored the use of strategic planning principles for your personal career, to provide direction, clarity, and focus that can ultimately lead to a more successful career. We explored principles of strategic planning, goal setting, prioritization, and more toward personal career development, and participants worked in two activities to define personal, career-focused values and strategic priorities.
Ashley Warren, who is beginning a promising publishing career at Sage, moderated a session, Connect With Confidence: Tools for Early Career Professionals, with Sarah Andrus, Marianne Calilhanna, Emily Davies, Rachel E. Scott, Qiana Johnson, and Whitney Rauenhorst.
Randy Townsend was celebrated at the SSP Awards luncheon as President-Elect; he will become SSP President at next year’s conference. He also spoke at a session moderated by Bill Kasdorf, “Back to the Future” of Digital-First Publishing: Where We Are and Where We Are Going, with Brian Cody and Charles O’Connor.
GW Publishing alumnus Andrea Hoffman, Chief Delivery Officer of publishing start-up Hum, and 2022 graduate Katherine McClure, Publisher Sales Representative for Rittenhouse, were in the In the SSP Exhibit Hall, representing their organizations to SSP members and attendees.
2021 MPS in Publishing graduate Kristine S. Krebs, Managing Editor, American Society for Microbiology, stayed busy at the conference with activities surrounding her participation in the SSP Fellowship Program for 2022.
Clockwise, l-r: Randy Townsend, Danielle Galian, Jennifer Chiacchiaro, Ashley Warren, Jon Gurstelle, Katherine McClure, Andrew Bostjancic, Willa Tavernier, Ryan Reeh, John Warren.
On Thursday of the conference, we gathered on a beautiful early evening, meeting by the Chicago River for refreshments after a long day of conferencing. Thanks Jennifer Chiacchiaro, Randy Townsend MPS, Danielle Galian, MPS, Katherine McClure, Ashley Warren, Willa Liburd Tavernier, Ryan Reeh, Jon Gurstelle, and Andrew Bostjancic for a great evening.
Can’t wait until next time; the Association of University Presses (AUPresses) annual meeting is coming up in just over a week, in Washington, DC, where again we’ll reconnect in person with many of our faculty and alumni.
The MPS in Publishing program at the George Washington University is launching the GW Publishing Book Club, a space where publishing students, alumni, faculty, and publishing community members will read and discuss titles on the history of the book, the history of publishing, and similar topics. The book club involves no grades, no fees (of course), and is designed for general knowledge, fun, networking, and community building.
Members of the Association of University Presses (AUPresses), the Library Publishing Coalition (LPC), the Society for Scholarly Publishing (SSP), and other publishing professionals are invited to join.
For our first book club selection, we have chosen (via a survey) the following title:
“Burning the Books: A History of the Deliberate Destruction of Knowledge,” by Richard Ovenden, Harvard University Press, Nov. 2020.
Please use this sign up form if you would like to be a member of the GW Publishing Book Club.
We intend to meet twice to discuss this book—once in late November/early December, midway through the book, and again in late January 2022, to discuss the entire book.
There were several other books under consideration that were also of interest in our survey, so we have included a few titles on the form for your input on our Spring 2022 Book Club selection, as well as a space to add other titles to consider.
We will meet virtually, with a possible in person meeting for people in Washington, D.C. We will also provide a brief Code of Conduct for all members.
We will endeavor, if feasible, to invite the author to join us for a meeting, but this is not guaranteed.
Book club committee: Amber Avila, John Broskey, Haley Cowans, Casey Green
