LEFT: Beth Steiner, AB ’95, celebrates Earth Day and the book “Steam Train, Dream Train,” published by Chronicle Books and printed on 100-percent mixed source Forest Stewardship Council paper. ABOVE: Michelle Howry, BSJ ’97, specializes in acquiring and editing commercial nonfiction, from how-to/practical titles to narratives and memoirs at Simon & Schuster. Both alumnae began their publishing careers at Ohio University Press.
This year, the Ohio University Press celebrates its 50th anniversary. Three successful alumni, who built the foundation of their careers at the press, reflect on its heritage with fond memories. Beth Steiner, AB ’95, a senior manager in product development at Chronicle Books, where she is responsible for production of approximately 55 trade books and formats annually: “I worked at Ohio University Press as an unpaid editorial intern from the summer of 1994 until 1995. OU Press directly influenced my choice to pursue a career in publishing. ... It was really exciting to be surrounded by people that love books, not just the content (although the content was obviously very important), but the book as an object, as a whole. OU Press gave me a solid overview of how publishing works, and gave me exposure to the different fields within publishing: editorial, design, production, marketing.”
Christy Johnson, BA ’04 and BSJ ’04, a sales, marketing and inventory manager at The New Press, a nonprofit alternative to commercial publishing houses: “Ohio University Press is both an outstanding scholarly publishing house and a terrific place to learn about the book business. Though they are all very busy people working under tight deadlines, the staff went out of their way to nurture my interest in book publishing. Working at the press while juggling two majors prepared me for a career in publishing in a way few other experiences could have.”
Michelle Howry, BSJ ’97, a senior editor at Touchstone Books, an imprint of Simon & Schuster, where she specializes in acquiring and editing commercial nonfiction, including the recent New York Times bestseller “The New Atkins for a New You”: “I loved going to work every week in the old Scott Quad offices [where the offices were once located] — they were warm and livedin, and I got to spend several hours each week among books and people who loved them. Being in a professional environment — experiencing the pace, understanding the expectations, and also enjoying the camaraderie and ongoing mentorship and friendship with my bosses and others there — was invaluable.”
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