Working Titlez

Well,  Spring might not quite be in the air yet, but it is truly a lovely day here in the Mojave Desert. It most certainly will be Spring in April during the annual Las Vegas Writers Conference. There’s hardly a lovelier time of year unless it is is the other eight months when it is also not 117 degrees! So whether you’re a writer in Las Vegas who wants to attend a local conference to hone your skills and learn more about the publishing biz, or a writer in a colder clime who would like all of the above PLUS experience the desert in the spring, check out the website. I’ve attended almost all of these conference and serendipitous things always happen! Hope to see you there!

Like it or not, your Facebook page is about to be converted to the new timeline model. GalleyCat has a post that provides suggestions to authors for the most effective timeline. Check it out. We suggest that authors have both a book (or books) FB page plus a personal one. You can cross-post as appropriate. For example, you may not want to include your family vacation photos on your book FB page, but you’ll want to add to your personal page announcements about book signings, awards, and such. Yeah, I know! We haven’t figured out when we’ll have time to set up our timelines either.

When Brooke’s mom Ginger Meurer, deputy editor of the View newspapers, asked me if I could use some help for a few weeks, I was delighted. Yes, I sure could! When Brooke showed up the next day, and jumped in feet first, I was overjoyed. She was unflappable, greeting every assignment with enthusiasm. She got a really good mix of work, from writing and editing, to lots of research. Internships are a great way to gain some “real world” experience and a meaningful addition to one’s resume. If you, or a young person living in your home, could benefit from a publishing internship, please get in contact: cuber@stephenspressbooks.com. ~CHU

Winter Break Internship: Fun!

By Brooke Mikkelsen

When I came in my first day of being an intern at Stephens Press, I thought it would just be a good way for me to get out of the house over Winter break.

Upon arrival, I was given a notebook and told to start taking notes. Then Carolyn launched into all the things I would need to know and do, never repeating herself without my asking, but explaining things that needed explaining.

The scariest part to me was answering the phone. I’ve always been good at communicating with people, but somehow, when that phone starts ringing, I start to doubt myself. This internship really forced me to turn that fear into a skill that I shall probably use for the rest of my life.

The best part was how trusted I was. I got to be the face of Stephens Press for a few weeks, writing letters, returning calls, and even talking to the press!

At the end of every day, when I was about to leave, Carolyn asked me if I had had fun that day. Every day, I answered in the affirmative. Even though my tasks had been to help me grow as an intern, they were also exciting.

I’d like to thank Carolyn Uber for not only giving me this internship, but letting me become a part of Stephens Press. I hope that my positive impact lasts longer than the few short weeks that I have interned!

Sharon Galligar Chance, Las Vegas Review-Journal guest reviewer