English major delves into the editorial world at a Colombian publishing house

Oriana Galvis Marin ’23, an English major at The College of Wooster interned at Sílaba Editores as part of her APEX Fellowship. By following through with Associate Professor of English Katharine Beutner’s recommendation, she contacted publishing houses for an intensive editorial position. Landing at an esteemed publishing house in Colombia, she spent most of her time reading, checking, and proofreading manuscripts. Apart from writing book reviews, Marin also participated in book promotion events and fairs.  

 “This internship helped me confirm my taste and interest in this industry and my desire to continue studying things related to publishing and getting experience in it.”  

—Oriana Galvis Marin ’23 

Why was the position a good fit for you? 

“This position was a good fit for me because it offered me the opportunity to experience how the editorial industry works. Additionally, this publishing house, besides being independent and Colombian, also pays a lot of attention to the literary quality of its works, and prioritizes a smoother experience for the authors and readers, both being aspects that I really admire.” 

What were some of the things you did each day? 

“I read manuscripts, drafted reports about them, and edited documents. On most days, I created social media posts about books and their authors to promote the latest releases of any of their titles. Additionally, I used Excel to organize catalogues, update them, add metadata, and send them to distributors and libraries. I also helped during a book fair, assisted with sales and the accounting of the day, and promoted books.” 

Who was your fellowship mentor and how did they help you to succeed in this position? 

“My fellowship mentor was Paul L. Edmiston, professor of chemistry. His answers to my weekly reflections and his support throughout my internship experience helped me succeed in this position. He made me question different things about my professional surroundings, leading me to analyze my relationship with other team members and how this experience related to my education and professional goals. All of these made me fully aware of all the various aspects of my internship and how it could prepare me for my future academic/professional plans.” 

What are some skills you’ve learned that you see yourself carrying forward in your career? 

“Excel, networking, reading fast and analytically, and book promotion through social media.” 

How has the internship helped you to see what’s next for you?

“This internship helped me confirm my taste and interest in this industry and my desire to continue studying things related to publishing and getting experience in it.”

Posted in Experiential Learning, Showcase Stories on August 15, 2022.