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.
Lois Jones (pronouns: she/her) is 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, a 2017 Early Career Fellow for SSP, and a member of the inaugural editorial board for GW Journal of Ethics in Publishing. Lois will serve as Editor-in-Chief of the GW Journal of Ethics in Publishing, effective October 2022.
Lois Jones, MPS, New Editor-in-Chief, GW Journal of Ethics in Publishing
Congratulations on becoming Editor-in-Chief of the GW Journal of Ethics in Publishing—and thank you! You’ve served for the past two years on the inaugural Editorial Board. How has serving on the board informed your plans and strategies as the new Editor-in-Chief for the journal?
Thank you! I’m very excited to continue with the journal in this new capacity. At this point, the plan is to build on what we have set up by iterating our process and increasing content. Starting a journal during the pandemic was challenging, but we’re proud of what we’ve accomplished. We’ve gotten a lot of feedback from the student members about what they’d like to see next, which is another major priority. A huge part of this journal’s goal is to provide students with practical experience in editorial, peer review, publishing, and marketing.
I have three major areas of focus as I start my term: student experience, fine-tuning our existing process, and publishing more content.
While we were starting up, the outgoing Editor-in-Chief formed a series of student-led committees that formed the basis for different aspects of the journal: strategy and sustainability, marketing, editorial, and e-publishing. Those teams worked hard to get us where we are. They’ve recommended that all committees stay updated on what the other groups are working on. Early on, I think we didn’t want to burden everyone with too much information, so now we’ll work on finding a middle ground. We also want to figure out what worked best for students and increase opportunities for even more involvement.
The second goal is to work on our process. I want to streamline our existing process and make sure that individually we’re all clear on what we’re doing in between meetings. This is a natural second step that comes after creating a new process but could be easily skipped. This is another great learning experience for students, so they get into the practice of reassessing workflows and documenting what they’ve created.
From the content standpoint, I want to start publishing more often, which is a typical goal of a newer journal, and ensure that we’re giving a platform for different ideas and career levels. I’m especially interested in ideas that push against the standard viewpoint or provide a deeper assessment of an existing issue. Fresh perspectives are incredibly important, which is another benefit of this being a student-led journal.
What have you appreciated of the impact of the journal for GW publishing students, in your interactions with them on the board, such as Aimar Galarza? What are some of your goals and expectations for students moving forward, as EIC?
I really appreciate their enthusiasm and fresh perspectives. During initial meetings, I would find that they’d question the basic assumptions of peer review and publishing, which made me reassess and either confirm or question my own approach. I’ve worked with a lot of newer graduates and early career professionals, and I find that their perspectives are a great way to never become complacent. Their ideas often push us forward in innovation and equity efforts. It’s hard to just accept things because “that’s how it’s always been” when you have smart people questioning you regularly.
Aimar, Ashley Warren, and Gabrielle Bethancourt-Hughes were integral for keeping the core journal functions moving. Their persistent work was valuable in pushing the journal forward and communicating the ideas and decisions between teams.
There are, as you know, thousands upon thousands of journals—your organization, APA, has nearly one hundred journals—and there are also several well-respected scholarly journals covering the field of publishing. What do you see as the special role or niche of the GW Journal of Ethics in Publishing?
I see this as a great fit for several types of articles. We’re focused on getting good ideas out there, even if they’re not the typical type of article you’d see in a journal. I want people to write articles even if it hadn’t occurred to them to write about publishing before. There are numerous topics that might not seem original or interesting, but that would be fascinating to read about. This is also a great destination for articles by newer career professionals, because we have students and experienced professionals focused on helping authors and reviewers learn the process.
What are some of the challenges—and opportunities—for a student-managed journal, to produce a professional quality scholarly publication? For example, in publishing graduate students’ capstone projects along with research written on ethics in publishing by other members of the publishing community.
One of the primary opportunities is that most of the people working on this journal are newer to the field. Their primary interest might not even be in scholarly publishing, so they aren’t necessarily focused on journals long-term. That can be a challenge, but it’s also a great opportunity to view a journal from an entirely fresh perspective. Similarly, with newer career people managing the journal, each new group of students are in the process of learning how to run and manage a journal. That could be a challenge, but like I said before, it’s also a fantastic pressure to continue reassessing the process as you go.
An original goal of the journal identified by the outgoing editor, Randy Townsend, was to ensure long-term quality. One of the committees he established was Strategy and Sustainability. That student-led committee is responsible for figuring out how to ensure that the quality of the journal remains high while also having groups of students come and go. As the journal progresses, we will continue to add to the resources to support continued student engagement.
In terms of producing high-quality content, we have a mix of both student and experienced reviewers assessing each article. The reviews are then assessed by a member of the editorial board for suitability within the journal. As with all peer reviewed content, this mixture of assessment allows for several unbiased approaches to the submissions. Once accepted, the article is then edited and prepared for publication by dedicated students.
What are some of the lessons you’ve learned in your role at APA that will be helpful to you in leading the GW Journal of Ethics in Publishing?
Things are always evolving. Within science, research keeps building on itself and correcting misconceptions. I find it useful to see some parts of publishing as a snapshot in time or a reality for some publishers but not all. The industry is ever-changing, so there will always be new facets to examine and discuss. Previous assumptions might not hold true within five years or even two.
I’ve helped build different projects and launch many new services and processes, while also managing a range of personalities and skillsets. My goal is to continue forming a good process for students and authors, while encouraging both groups to think broadly.
You were a student in the MPS in Publishing program. What are some of the reasons you decided to pursue the MPS in Publishing degree? Why did you choose GW specifically?
I’ve always been interested in publishing and a colleague at APA had graduated from the program. I began pursuing my degree prior to working publishing, so it was exciting to talk to others also interested in publishing. GW’s classes cover a wide range, including areas where I didn’t have as much interest or where I had no real skill, specifically design. Even those classes were useful in that they provided me with a foundational understanding of how complex the topic was and the basics.
What advice would you give to new or prospective students to the MPS in Publishing program? And why should students consider volunteering to work on managing the journal?
Take broad classes that you wouldn’t normally gravitate toward. I’m weak when it comes to design, but I enjoyed the class. It was educational to spend time in a subject that I’m not as comfortable with. The program also gives you an idea of what part of the industry you’re most interested in pursuing and educates you on the challenges in the different aspects of publishing. Digital publishing has been a massive topic in publishing for over twenty years and the death of print has been a worry for years and years. Getting the long-term perspective from the class readings, discussions, and professors’ experience is invaluable when trying to understand the past and future of publishing.
Working with this journal is a great crash course in journal work, from peer review principles to editing and then actually releasing the content in the world. This is a wonderful hands-on method of seeing the ethical principles and general process in action.
What have you found to be the long-term value of the MPS in Publishing degree; how has it impacted your career at APA?
I appreciated that it gave me a glimpse into all the areas of publishing. I took classes in marketing, copyright, editing, and journal management. I don’t use all of the skills daily, but the basis of understanding the different areas has helped me understand the different roles I interact with. Almost universally, graduates I’ve worked with have referred to the copyright class the most. It’s a sticky topic and I still refer to the texts we used.
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 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 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.
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)
Registration is open for the 12th GW Ethics in Publishing Conference. You can find the conference schedule below.
The 12th GW Ethics in Publishing Conference, with the theme of Ethics in Action, will be held Friday, October 14th, 2022, 9:00 am to 5:15 pm EST, in a hybrid format, with in-person and online presenters and attendees.
Registration is free of charge, both in-person and virtual.
We are fortunate to have a wonderful lineup of speakers and topics on the theme of Ethics in Action, on topics such as diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility, gatekeeping in publishing, representation, open access, mentorship, and more. Our plenary will feature Kimberly Ayers Shariff, Executive Vice President, Director of Strategy for Diversity Equity & Inclusion, Penguin Random House, in conversation with Tina Donnelly, recent graduate of the MPS in Publishing program. Members of the Association of University Presses, Society of Scholarly Publishing, Library Publishing Coalition, and Association of American Publishers, as well as students and alumni of both the MPS in Publishing at GW and the MA in Book Publishing at Portland State University are among our presenters. We hope to see you there.
Please RSVP for the in-person event only if you plan to attend in-person in Washington, DC.; seating is limited and we will form a waiting list after 80 RSVPs.
In-person conference location:
National Churchill Leadership Center Gelman Library, George Washington University
In our latest alumni profile, talented MPS in Publishing graduate Anna Miller shares her perspectives and insights on the GW Publishing program, its impact on her career, and her plans to launch her own publishing company. Anna is a project manager at Pubvendo.
What was the most challenging aspect of the MPS in Publishing program? What was the most rewarding?
The most challenging part of the program was also the most freeing part. In each class, we were able to choose our project topics. This enabled us to really dig into what topics were important to us. This both enabled us to grow as young professionals and challenged us to really figure out what our interests were and how we wanted to use our degree to pursue those interests.
What do you hope to do after graduating from the MPS in Publishing program?
My dream is to use my degree to create my own publishing company, and I am already in the process of doing so. The freedom that we were given in our assignments to pursue our passions has led to a great foundation for starting my own publishing house. I am very excited for where this journey will take me.
Anna Miller, MPS in Publishing,2022
What are some of the reasons you decided to pursue the MPS in Publishing degree? Why did you choose GW specifically?
I decided to pursue the MPS in publishing program because I have a love for books and a love for writing. This program seemed like the perfect opportunity to blend the two into a career that I would love and enjoy. Growing up, one of my biggest goals was to pick my career based on my passions and choosing the MPS in Publishing program was a step in that direction. I chose GW because I liked that it catered to working individuals. I really wanted to get professional experience after my undergraduate degree, but I also wanted to get my Masters. This program enabled me to do with, and to do both well. Additionally, this program is affordable, which not many programs can say!
My dream is to use my degree to create my own publishing company, and I am already in the process of doing so. The freedom that we were given in our assignments to pursue our passions has led to a great foundation for starting my own publishing house. I am very excited for where this journey will take me.
What advice would you give to new or prospective students to the MPS in Publishing program?
This program is incredible and really allows you to grow into publishing in the way you imagine it for yourself. The classes provide the foundation and the knowledge, but the instructors allow you to incorporate your passions into your work. It is a lot of work, but it is extremely manageable even if you’re working full-time.
Who (or what course) has made the biggest impact on you during your time at GW?
This is a tough question. I gained so much from all of the courses. However, I have to say the Publishing Entrepreneurship course because it made me realize that I don’t have to wait twenty years to start my publishing house. I can start it now, even if it starts out small. It was so empowering hearing from all the various publishing entrepreneurs.
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?
One of the biggest values the program afforded me was connections. I actually landed my job after I emailed a guest speaker at my Marketing class inquiring about a job. Additionally, I have a wide knowledge of the publishing industry now that I use in my job daily. It has granted me the confidence to speak up at work and share my ideas, because this is a field that I am both passionate about and knowledgeable in.
One of the biggest values the program afforded me was connections. I actually landed my job after I emailed a guest speaker at my Marketing class inquiring about a job. Additionally, I have a wide knowledge of the publishing industry now that I use in my job daily.
How are you using what you learned in your publishing courses in your day-to-day work at Pubvendo and in your career?
I work for a book marketing agency, so I use the strategies I learned in Book Marketing and Book Publicity and Promotion pretty much daily! It is so fun being able to share my knowledge to help my clients’ books be successful.
The publishing program is paramount in my decision to go ahead and start my publishing company, Personal Digest Publishing. It is still in the building stages, but it is in the works due to the inspiration and knowledge provided by the publishing program and my instructors.
The 12th GW Ethics in Publishing conference will be held in October 2022 as a hybrid event, with in-person and virtual presentations and attendees, on Friday, October 14 (planned), at the George Washington University in Washington, DC (date and location to be confirmed).
The theme of the 2022 Ethics in Publishing Conference is “Ethics in Action.”
We welcome your proposals for presentations and will seek to accommodate as many presentations as possible. Please indicate below whether you are able to present in person or online.
We are soliciting conference presentations from (and for) publishing and library professionals, scholars, faculty, as well as publishing and library science students.
Presentations will include invited speakers, multiple speaker panels, and short presentations.
Topic ideas include, but are not limited to:
Actions that publishers, libraries, and other stakeholders in the publishing ecosystem are taking to advance and impact ethical issues in publishing, including but not limited to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA)
Efforts to make publishing workplace practices inclusive and equitable, including internships, early-career positions, mentorship initiatives, etc.
Actions that have helped to ensure diverse voices are more represented in the publishing ecosystem
Work to advance and ensure that peer review, authorship, editing, publications metrics, etc., are equitable and free of bias
Ways to make publications more accessible for all.
The 12th 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.
Attendance (in person and virtual) to the conference will be free-of-charge. Proof of COVID-19 vaccination will be required for in-person presenters and attendees.
Deadline for presentation proposals/submissions: September 1, 2022.
We will endeavor to accommodate as many presentations as possible. Registration for the conference is free. We hope to receive your proposal and to see you at the conference!
Dustin Sullivan (MPS Publishing 2020) is the publisher at Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing, where he oversees the book and journal publishing programs. Prior to Sigma he was a senior acquisitions editor with Pearson Education’s Professional Technical Group where he acquired books and developed online editorial plans. Here, he shares his insights as a MPS in Publishing student who came to the program, as others do, with more than a decade of professional publishing experience; why he chose GW’s MPS in Publishing program; and tips for a successful career in publishing.
What have you found to be the value of a master’s in publishing degree, and how are you using what you learned, as a rising publishing professional?
This program is very practical and provided almost immediate benefits for my current job. It has been helpful in three ways that come to mind: confirming my existing knowledge, teaching new skills, and expanding my horizons. Confirmation probably is the least important, but it’s been comforting learning that others have been doing some tasks the same way as me. And while it’s good to feel validated, thankfully I didn’t just spend two years rehashing what I already knew. I picked up lots of new skills that helped me immediately and will likely be beneficial as I look at new positions. I’ve learned a lot more about the industry itself—particularly areas I didn’t already have experience with like university presses—and I’ve met a lot of students and instructors who have become new friends and colleagues. Hopefully these new relationships will last far into the future as all our careers progress.
Many of our students have an average of five years or so in publishing industry, or work in related fields and hope to enter the publishing business, but each year we have a few students such as yourself with ten or twenty years of publishing experience. Your contributions help other students, and professors remark learning from you. How do you think your level of publishing experience leads to a different experience as a student? What would you say to students considering the program with a decade or more in the publishing business?
Unlike some inexperienced students who don’t know what they don’t know, I came into this program with a better sense of what I wanted to get out of it. I’ve worked on enough projects that I could breeze through some of the basics and skip to the juicy parts to help unlock something new. And I could ask my instructor pointed questions so together we could improve ideas even more.
At the same time, I tried to be open to learning from my classmates. Every class had someone who provided new insight and perspective, and I learned quite a bit from less-experienced classmates who could offer fresh takes or come at problems from new angles. I was lucky to have been surrounded by smart people, both classmates and instructors. They all challenged me, helped me learn, and made me a better publisher. It was worth the effort, and I’d encourage others in similar positions to take the plunge.
Dustin Sullivan, MPS 2020, Publisher, Sigma
This program is very practical and provided almost immediate benefits for my current job. It has been helpful in three ways that come to mind: confirming my existing knowledge, teaching new skills, and expanding my horizons.
Describe your career path so far. You have been at Sigma Theta Tau now for more than 8 years, as Publisher, and previously worked in Acquisitions for Pearson and Macmillan Computer Publishing.
My first gig in publishing was a freelance technical editor for a video game strategy guide publisher. Right out of college it was a pretty good way to make some extra money and see new games before they were released. I was also given the opportunity to write a book for AP Press about an upcoming version of Internet Explorer. I started writing with an alpha release and had to revise it many times as the software moved into beta and finally gold status. Learning how to write and revise rapidly would end up helping me with my next job.
I was then hired as an acquisitions editor at New Riders Publishing, an imprint of Macmillan Computer Publishing. New Riders was one of several MCP imprints, and they were fond of restructuring. Over the next few years I published books with the New Riders, Cisco Press, ExamCram, Que, and Sams imprints covering computer design and drafting, programing languages, operating systems, hardware, networking, and professional certification. The time I spent revising my own book when a new beta was released turned out to be great practice for managing authors and editors through the same process.
Pearson was making inroads into professional publishing in the late 90s, and they snapped up MCP as well as Addison Wesley and Prentice Hall. I moved from books to a new online division, InformIT.com, that became the online portal for all imprints in Pearson’s Professional Technical Group. As a senior AE I developed online editorial plans, acquired digital and online products, worked on digital product development, and helped promote and merchandise our print and digital titles.
Although I enjoyed what I was doing, eventually I decided I had stayed put for too long. A former co-worker told me about the open publisher position at Sigma in 2014, and I’ve been here ever since. It’s been a great experience learning about the scholarly journal world, which was entirely new to me when I came here; getting to work on books again felt like coming home.
Thanks to this program, I’ve been able to apply some of my existing skills in new ways as well as add some new wrinkles to my publishing program at Sigma. Each class provided tips and techniques I used at Sigma right away…
What are some of the reasons you decided to pursue the MPS in Publishing degree? Why did you choose GW specifically?
I spent a long time at MCP and Pearson, and after I had a taste of what else was out there with my new job at Sigma, I decided I wanted more. I really enjoy what I’m doing with non-profit book and journal publishing, but I don’t necessarily want to spend the next 15 years doing the same things. I would like to go on some new adventures, learn some new skills, and take on some new challenges.
There aren’t a ton of graduate-level publishing programs out there, but I researched as many as I could find. Many seemed to focus on editing, but GW’s business track stood out since it covered exactly the type of skills I wanted to develop. Once I read the course descriptions, I knew I had found the right program.
Even with my growing excitement about the program, it was a daunting decision to commit to two years of time, effort, and expense. I went back and forth a lot, and I think I submitted my application on one of the last days before the deadline for cohort 14!
How does the MPS in Publishing degree inform your goals and perspectives as you continue to develop your career progression?
The degree has given me the ability to look at the big picture more effectively. I feel more confident in my ability to see trends around me, determine how they will affect (or not affect) my publishing program, and make changes to adapt, adjust, and improve. I’ve also learned quite a bit about other parts of the publishing industry, and that new knowledge will help directly as I look to make future career moves.
How are you using what you learned in your publishing courses in your day-to-day work as a publisher of books and journals for nursing students and professionals?
Thanks to this program, I’ve been able to apply some of my existing skills in new ways as well as add some new wrinkles to my publishing program at Sigma. Each class provided tips and techniques I used at Sigma right away: a new tool to help prioritize upcoming books and more effectively allocate resources; new clauses for subrights contracts that will help ensure I get the best terms in foreign rights deals; strategies for expanding our publishing program outside the US; practical experience building complete book marketing plans; and even the ability to create some promotional materials in InDesign when our designers were swamped. Each course has also taught me how to look at my publishing program from new angles and more effectively assess our performance, and they’ve introduced me to new people, inside and outside of GW, to whom I’ve been able to reach out with questions or to create new partnerships.
What are the top 3-5 skills that have been helpful in your career? How transferable are they for different career paths?
Be open to learning new things. Over the years I’ve had a hand in almost every aspect of publishing, from some “invisible” tasks to other more prominent roles within the publishing process. I’ve tried to be open to learning as much about publishing as possible, and ultimately this broad experience has served me well.
Be flexible. Sometimes you’ll be asked to do things that don’t sound like much fun. Sometimes your company will restructure. Sometimes a book you really counted on will fall through. The more you’re able to roll with these punches, the longer you’ll be able to stick around.
Be kind. Some tasks are zero sum, like competing with other publishers to sign a big author, but not all publishing is like that. Even in those win/lose situations, kindness is still a good strategy. People remember how you treat them, so lead with kindness and respect. You’ll find many people in this business will go out of their way to help you, even when you aren’t on the same team.
Be connected. Publishing people will often be happy to give advice, help you out of a bind, or maybe even send a good lead your way. Networking and relationship-building aren’t new concepts, of course, but publishing folks are just good people to know and have on your side.
We can’t go back in time, but what would you tell your younger self, if you were able to, in terms of career advice or skills and strengths to develop?
I’d tell myself to not get too cozy in one job. There’s a lot to learn out there with new positions, new companies, and new challenges. Comfortable and familiar can be good, but they don’t often encourage personal or professional growth. Push yourself out of your comfort zone from time to time.
How do you think publishing professionals can plan a career path that is intentional, with well-defined goals and aspirations, yet still allowing for flexibility and serendipity?
Spend some time thinking about what inspires you as well as what you’re good at. Your chances of finding a position where your interests and abilities align increase when you’ve put some effort into determining both what’s important to you and what you have to offer others.
Make an effort to seek out as much industry knowledge as possible. Think micro: what you’re currently doing, how you can become better at it, and what your options are for advancement in your current role. Also think macro: what is out there in the larger publishing world, what is within your reach, and what will require some planning and effort to obtain.
Be pragmatic. 3- or 5-year plans are great, but don’t be afraid to move a little faster if the circumstances are right. And don’t get discouraged if things take a little longer than expected. Just keep actively trying to move forward.
And finally, don’t be afraid to fail. This holds true for individual projects (sometimes a book doesn’t pan out the way you want) and also career choices (you may end up in a role that’s not what you’d hoped for). Learn from these mistakes and understand they don’t define you. They can help you make better decisions going forward.
Have you had a mentor, either at work or elsewhere? What has been the role of mentorship in your career?
This business tends to be very collegial, and I’ve been helped by many people along the way. The publisher and associate publisher who hired me at New Riders for my first publishing job took a chance on me given my lack of acquisitions experience. They were very patient and gave me a tremendous publishing education over my first few years in the industry. Although their personal styles were different, their publishing sensibilities were very similar. I still look to their example as the type of publisher I’d like to be when I grow up.
Anything else that would be helpful for students, prospective students, or publishing alumni?
I’ll close by simply repeating my suggestions to be open to new experiences, be flexible, be kind, and keep in touch. There’s a lot we can accomplish by working together and lending a hand when needed.
