I’m looking out my office window, horrified at the snow (although I must say that it does look beautiful), sad that opening day for the Sox has been canceled, yet hopeful that spring will bring positive energy to Chicago-area publishing.
There are quite a few events going on this month, which always are great opportunities to learn about trends in the industry, meet colleagues, and exchange business cards. Check out “Chicago Publishing Events” below for a smattering of get-togethers for editors, publishers, writers, and other industry types.
In addition to all the interesting goings-on with various events, I’m glad to be able to list a few publishing jobs in “Chicago Publishing Gigs.” These recently-posted gigs offer a glimmer of hope in an otherwise tight industry. Be sure to check with employer websites for the latest information about these gigs.
Finally, check out the “CPN Profile” of Ela Booty. Ela has been in the industry for about 18 years, and she’s worked as an editor, writer, and developer, both full-time and freelance, for trade, value, and education publishers. Ela shares some unique insight into publishing in the interview below.
Chicago Publishing Events
A small group of CPN folks met at Borders in Oak Park in March to discuss the industry and what’s going on in and around Chicago. We’ll meet again soon; check this space and LinkedIn for news about upcoming get-togethers.
In the meantime, April is chock-full of publishing events for publishers, editors, authors—there’s something for just about everyone this month. Check out these events and opportunities to learn about what’s going on in the industry, meet colleagues, and network with peers. (Be sure to check with the host organization for information and details about these events.)
If you have an event you’d like to share, contact us at cpn @ bibliobibuli.com.
Wednesday, April 8
Lake Claremont Press
5:30 p.m.–8 p.m.
“New Book Intro & Brainstorm/City of Chicago’s new Publisher’s Gallery”
Get a firsthand introduction to our first titles for 2009, meet a new author or two, and help us brainstorm on non-traditional ways to market and sell these books. Learn about the new Chicago Publisher’s Gallery in the Chicago Cultural Center and the city’s efforts to increase the visibility of its publishing sector. RSVP and questions to Sharon Woodhouse at sharon@lakeclaremont.com.
Tuesday, April 14
Independent Writers of Chicago
5 p.m.
National-Louis University
122 S. Michigan Avenue, Room 5008
Chicago, IL
“IWOC Monthly Meeting”
IWOC member George Becht will discuss the nuts and bolts of writing product manuals and give tips on how to land this type of writing assignment. Networking and socializing begin at 5 p.m.; programs begin promptly at 6 p.m. Admission is free to IWOC members; $15 for nonmembers. All IWOC programs and seminars are open to nonmembers. Reservations are not necessary for programs. A buy-your-own dinner follows every meeting. For information, visit http://www.iwoc.org/iwoc_events.htm#iwoc2.
Wednesday, April 15
Chicago Women in Publishing
6 p.m.–8:30 p.m.
National-Louis University
122 S. Michigan Avenue
Chicago, IL
“Green Publishing: Practical Solutions for the Environmentally Conscious”
Feeling somewhat green about green publishing and how to “go green” in your workplace? Attend this informative overview of publishing practices for the environmentally conscious and learn how you can make a difference no matter what role you play in the publishing process. Just in time for Earth Day, our April program will be presented by Melanie Dolechek of Allen Press, an environmentally progressive printing and publishing company. To register, call 773-508-0351 or send a check payable to CWIP to P.O. Box 268107, Chicago, IL 60626. For information, visit http://www.cwip.org/events.htm.
Tuesday, April 16
mediabistro.com
6 p.m.–8 p.m.
Crimson Lounge
333 N. Dearborn Street
Chicago, IL
“Chicago Cocktail Party”
Full-time media professionals are invited to a cocktail party hosted by mediabistro folks Stuart Cleland and Marianna Swallow. For information and to RSVP, see www.mediabistro.com.
Saturday, April 18
Chicago Writers Association
10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Barbara’s Bookstore
1218 S. Halsted Street
Chicago, IL 60607
“Self-Publishing & Marketing Seminar”
Wrote a book? Want to publish? Published a book? Need to sell it? The National Writers Union and the Chicago Writers Association are hosting a Self-Publishing & Marketing Seminar. Local authors Diane Martin and Stan West, along with promotion consultant Lissa Woodson, will provide vital information about self-publishing and marketing. This event includes: Free lunch Book Fair and author signings. Registration is $10 for non-members; $7.50 for members. Registration enters you in a drawing to win an iUniverse publishing package. Register online at http://nwuselfpublishingseminar.eventbrite.com/
Wednesday, April 22
Chicago Women in Publishing
6:30 p.m.
Champps
955 E. Golf Road
Schaumburg, IL
“Networking Dinner: Schaumburg”
Discussion topic: “Best Practices in Building and Using a Professional Network.” Open to all; bring your business cards. Contact Juli Schatz (phone 847-240-1333) with any questions or suggestions. RSVP to bibliocat36@gmail.com. For information, visit http://www.cwip.org/events.htm.
Thursday, April 23
Chicago Women in Publishing
7 p.m.
Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery
1 W. Grand Avenue
Chicago, IL
“CWIXer: Adding New Members to the Mix”
A chance for new, long-time, and prospective members to meet and mingle in a fun, laid-back atmosphere. No cover. Great drink and food specials all night long! Bring your business cards! RSVP to Darhiana Mateo at membership@cwip.org. For information, see http://www.cwip.org/events.htm.
Saturday, April 25
Chicago Writers Association
Mad River Bar & Grille
2909 N. Sheffield
Chicago, IL
“Spring Launch Party”
We hope you’ll come celebrate with us at our Spring Launch Party. What are we celebrating? Well, the end of winter, for one. But also our organization’s rebirth as a federally-registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit. For $20 ($25 for non-members), you’ll get unlimited domestic drafts, wine, pizza and pasta. There will be live entertainment, special guests, and a raffle with some great prizes including Cubs tickets, signed books, gift baskets, and more. All are welcome. For information, visit http://www.chicagowrites.org/events.aspx?eventid=26.
Thursday, April 30
Chicago Cultural Affairs Publishing
6 p.m.–8 p.m.
Maxim’s
24 E. Goethe Street
Chicago, IL
“What’s New and What’s Next in Chicago Publishing”
Join publishing professionals for cocktails and conversation with Chicago publishers, editors, and authors. Special guests include Garrett Keily of University of Chicago Press, Rick Kogan of the Chicago Tribune, and Donna Seaman of Booklist and Chicago Public Radio. Reservations required by April 23 to Emily Long at Emily.Long@CityofChicago.org or 312-742-0821.
June 11 and July 15
7:30 p.m.–9:30 p.m.
South Suburban College of Continuing Education
15800 State Street
South Holland, IL
“Becoming a Published Author”
Author Theresa Banks will be teaching a class on how to become a published author, based on one of her books. Phone 708-596-2000, ext. 2231 to register.
Chicago Publishing Gigs
Several organizations in and around Chicago are hiring for a variety of publishing jobs. Be sure to check the employer’s website to verify requirements and responsibilities and to see if these positions are still open to applicants.
If you would like to post information about an open position, contact us at cpn @ bibliobibuli.com (it’s free!).
Managing Editor
Congress of Neurological Surgeons
Schaumburg, IL
The Congress of Neurological Surgeons seeks a managing editor to oversee the peer-review and production process of manuscripts from submission to publication for monthly, scientific journal and other related publications. Daily interaction among editors, authors, reviewers, and publisher is expected. Administrative duties include budget development and monitoring and oversight of the day to day activities, training, and supervision of editorial FTEs and interns. Primary responsibilities include, but are not limited to: 1) Ensures manuscripts are submitted correctly and contain all correct elements, maintaining editorial standards, and style guides. 2) Coordinates and tracks flow of manuscripts among the editors, authors, and reviewers. 3) Manages administrative operations inclusive of budget development and management of publishing activities, staff training, and generation of reports. For information, visit http://careers.associationforum.org/jobdetail.cfm?job=3101388.
Editorial Assistant
Congress of Neurological Surgeons
Schaumburg, IL
The Congress of Neurological Surgeons seeks an editorial assistant to provide assistance for the peer-review process, provides communication support and general support to the Managing Editor and Editor-in-Chief. Proofreads and checks illustrations as manuscripts are transmitted to the publisher. May supervise freelance help on a project basis. Primary responsibilities include, but are not limited to: 1) Responds to author inquiries regarding status of manuscripts and editorial questions via e-mail, telephone and fax. 2) Ensures that all new submissions to the journal are complete and requests additional information from authors as needed. 3) Assists in maintaining the electronic manuscript tracking system. For information, visit http://careers.associationforum.org/jobdetail.cfm?job=3101388.
Copy Editor
Playboy Enterprises
Chicago, IL
Under the direction of the Copy Chief, this position is accountable for reading and editing editorial material for accuracy, including consistency, spelling, punctuation and style. This position will interact with the Editorial, Production, and Art staff internally. Responsibilities include reading copy to detect errors in grammar, spelling, punctuation and syntax, modifying copy as necessary to conform to publication’s style; conferring with copy chief; inputing changes in InCopy and InDesign; and trafficking proofs. Two years of copyediting experience for a consumer magazine is required. For information, visit http://www.mediabistro.com/joblistings/jobview.asp?joid=88527&page=1.
Editor
Talcott Publishing
Chicago, IL
Publisher in Chicago seeks an editor for multiple magazines. 5 or more years experience required. Degree in Journalism preferred. In addition to writing and editing, you will work closely with graphic designers and sales staff. Will also be in charge of updating the website(s) and will need to attend trade shows throughout the year. Most importantly, you will have a working understanding of “team spirit.” If you would like to be part of high-quality magazines, please send resume with cover letter and compensation expectations. Salary history required and samples of your work. For information, see http://www.mediabistro.com/joblistings/jobview.asp?joid=88451&page=1.
Writer/Editor
Hilco Appraisal Services
Northbrook, IL
Hilco Appraisal Services, LLC, one of the industry’s leading inventory appraisal and evaluation companies, is a division of Hilco Trading Co., Inc. Hilco Trading is a total resource, providing strategic financial services for retailers, distributors, manufacturers, asset-based lenders, venture capitalists, investment bankers, and the professionals who serve them. Hilco seeks a writer/editor to prepare extensive write-ups on companies being appraised, meet with appraisers and financial analysts to understand the company, perform in-depth Internet research on the industry and company, organize information from the appraiser, analyst, and the Internet, etc. This position is posted on Monster; for information, visit http://jobview.monster.com/getjob.aspx?JobID=71695867&brd=1&q=editor&cy=us&where=Chicago%2c+IL&rad=20&rad_units=miles&jto=1&re=130&AVSDM=2009-04-01+15%3a22%3a00&pg=1&seq=4&fseo=1&isjs=1&re=1000.
Managing Editor, Electronic Publications
American Academy of Dermatology
Schaumburg, IL
This position will be responsible for managing the editorial function and content of the Academy’s electronic publications. Ensure that the content is fresh, accurate, engaging, presented effectively online, and addresses the goals of the Academy and its members. Coordinate with all program areas on strategic plans and programs and implement editorial plans to support those initiatives. Play a key role in shaping the strategy for editorial objectives for electronic publications. Write copy, edit manuscripts, proofread material, and develop and track Web site articles. This position is posted on Career Builder; for information, visit http://www.careerbuilder.com/JobSeeker/Jobs/JobDetails.aspx?IPath=QHKCVGM&ff=21&APath=2.21.21.0.0&job_did=J8G1CJ75QF27RDWNM1Y.
Assistant Project Editors
Elm Street Publishing
Hinsdale, IL
Elm Street Publishing Services, located in the western suburbs, seeks Assistant Project Editors (entry level) to join our production team. Elm Street offers project management and production support to college textbook publishers. The Assistant Project Editor position supports Project Editors with the coordination of assigned college textbook production to ensure publication on schedule and within budget. In this role you will work with Project Editors on various aspects of the production process as well as assist the Office Manager with general office tasks as assigned. The position reports to the Managing Editor. This position is posted on Career Builder; for information, visit http://www.careerbuilder.com/JobSeeker/Jobs/JobDetails.aspx?IPath=QHKCVGM&ff=21&APath=2.21.21.0.0&job_did=J8B3Z06PYX1B2QZ8WNM.
CPN Profile
Ela Booty is a supervising editor at National Geographic School Publishing (NGSP). Ela’s expertise includes trade, educational, and value publishing. Prior to NGSP, Ela developed a successful freelance business as an editor, writer, and project manager. During those years, she served as a developmental editor for the best-selling book There Must Be More Than This by Judith Wright, managed and edited an online ezine with a circulation of more than 40,000, reviewed manuscripts for a major trade publisher, and worked on national educational projects such as the Jamestown Reading Navigator, Scott Foresman K–5 social studies programs, McDougal-Littel’s middle school science program, and McGraw-Hill Glencoe’s high school language arts programs. Ela also has worked as an acquisitions editor for McGraw-Hill Trade and, prior to that, as the director of product development for SkyLight Professional Development (now Pearson Achievement), producing professional development products for K–12 teachers.
How long have you been in publishing?
About 18 years.
What was your first job in publishing? Was it what you hoped it would be?
My first post-college job in publishing was in the “creative communications” department of a craft and hobby manufacturer. I wrote and edited the instruction books, catalogs, and any marketing materials. It was not the glamorous job I dreamed publishing would be, but I learned a lot about editing and working under very tight deadlines.
You’ve worked in value publishing, educational publishing, and trade publishing. How do these types of businesses differ from one another?
They differ in several ways, including schedules, authorship, job responsibilities. With value publishing, as an editor, I did both developmental and copy editing. We published books that customers specifically requested so we worked with their schedules, which meant very short publishing schedules—sometimes as short as 3 months. Educational publishing works with different timelines. Typically educational publishing has a longer publishing schedule. It may take 2 to 3 years to produce a program, and as an editor, I would work with one part of a large program, such as the student edition textbook. These days, though, educational publishers are shortening their publishing schedules to 1 year, or even less. The biggest difference with trade publishing is authorship. In trade publishing, I had a lot of direct communication with an author. In educational publishing, we work with teams of authors and reviewers, who usually work more closely with the publisher or editorial directors.
How do you think publishing has changed in the past five years? 10 years?
I think publishing has gotten smaller and yet bigger. What I mean is that more and more companies are merging, and there are the main large companies as opposed to a lot of small, independent publishers. This is especially true in educational publishing. I also think that the days of 1- or 2-year publishing schedules are gone. Everything needs to be published quicker. In trade publishing, a hot trend could come and go so books have to be out on the shelves fast. And of course there are the changes in online publishing. Publishing doesn’t just consist of printed books anymore–there are blogs, ezines, web sites, etc. I also see more growth in self-publishing.
What do you think is unique about Chicago-area publishing?
I think that Chicago offers a lot of different types of publishing and more opportunities than New York, for example. In Chicago, there is educational publishing, trade, association, academic, value publishing, corporate communications, magazine publishing, newspapers, and more. There are a lot of different opportunities.
What advice would you give to someone looking to start out or advance in Chicago-area publishing?
Network, network, network. I know that’s what everyone says, and that’s because it’s true—you need to network. Meet people, talk to people about publishing, ask them questions, take someone out for coffee. E-mail is such a great tool for connecting with others. I would also say do your research. Research the companies that are out there, and then call them up. Ask about what’s going on there, build a relationship with people at the company you want to work at. When a job opens up, your name will come to mind.
