Publishing is a unique enterprise, as I’m sure you’re well aware if you’ve been following along here. It is a business, but it’s about a lot more than just turning a profit; those of us who are involved in the publishing process really believe in the stories being told, and we believe that stories are an important way to share ideas. That doesn’t mean we’re immune to common work hang-ups though (if only!). Last week we had a snowstorm that kept the Wax Bullet War team scattered from one end of Portland to the other, unable to make it in for our normal weekly meeting. So we did what any other business does when push comes to shove: we sent a lot of emails. The clock counting down to publication day doesn’t stop ticking for a snowstorm, so we kept on working.

Our attention last week was divided two ways. Our first priority was making sure everything is in order for Sean’s events coming up next week. We finished pulling together the design files for some print collateral that we will take to next week’s Classroom to Community Lecture at PSU, as well as to AWP in Seattle (including Sean’s AWP reading). The other big priority last week was beginning to develop some promotional copy for media pitches and for Sean’s book tour. When pitching media stories, every letter or email needs to be unique and personalized (it’s a bit like writing cover letters for job applications in that regard), but it’s nice to have a bit of standardized language to talk about Sean and the book when pitching story ideas. We also created a standardized press release that can be tailored to each event on Sean’s book tour.

Everyone is invited to the Classroom to Community Lecture here in Portland and to Sean’s reading in Seattle for AWP. If you’re there, be sure to stop by and say hello!

Until next week,
Laurel