Are you curious about what goes on behind the scenes at a university press?
On Wednesday, February 10, acquisitions editor James MacNevin of McGill-Queen’s University Press will take us through the acquisitions and editorial process. With examples and anecdotes from his own experience, he will explain
- how a press builds a list in a given subject area, including finding suitable manuscripts and recruiting authors
- how manuscripts are evaluated and developed, including the various roles of acquisitions editor, managing editor, and freelance editors
- where the marketing department comes in
- what it takes to be an effective acquisitions editor.
Those of us who work on academic press books as freelancers enter the picture long after the major decisions have been made. With this talk, our guest speaker will provide a view from the other side of the desk. We’ll come away with a better understanding of where copy editors (and stylistic editors) fit in the process, what has gone on before, and what happens to the manuscript after our work is done.
There will be ample time for questions and discussion.
About the Speaker
James MacNevin specializes in history, geography, sociology, and cultural studies. Prior to joining McGill-Queen’s University Press in 2013, he held a similar position with a textbook publisher, and prior to that he worked in trade publishing. In addition to his career in book publishing, he is a freelance writer and historian.
Come Join Us!
Wednesday, February 10
7 to 9 p.m. (doors open at 6:30)
Ongwanada Resource Centre, 191 Portsmouth Avenue (map)
Free
Bring a friend!