October Program: A Taste of CWIP
View the Taste of CWIP Gallery to see examples of CWIPers' work
Twenty-five souls came out the rainy night of the last Presidential Debate on October 15 to showcase their work and learn what their fellow CWIPers do during the day at the second annual Taste of CWIP.
"This is my favorite event of the year," CWIP president Dorothy Ryan said as she started off the show-and-tell event. "I love the energy in the room because people are talking about what they are passionate about."
"People do not have to have glossy and snappy props for an exhibit here," she said before the formal start of the meeting. She said she was happy to see and learn about the scholarly journals CWIP members help produce as well as every other phase of publishing represented in CWIP.
Participants were invited to introduce themselves and talk briefly about any materials they wanted to present. Tables were arranged so attendees could display their work.
Presentations included brief speeches and displays about photography, medical publishing, freelance editing and writing, design, copyediting for technical books and scholarly journals, packaging, and proofreading, just to name a few.
After the presentations, attendees mingled and talked more in-depth about their work, career paths, and possible career aspirations. Handouts and many business cards were available.
Attendees and presenters at the event came into their publishing jobs and careers from a variety of backgrounds. Some came from financial, secretarial, theatrical, or journalistic backgrounds. Many mentioned that CWIP helped with their careers.
Member Betsy Baird, freelancer, said publishing is her second career and the career she really loves. She mentioned that her participation in CWIP continues to benefit her. She was inspired by the talk given by Dominique Raccah, founder of independent book publisher Sourcebooks, Inc., at CWIP’s September program. She has been in contact with one of Raccah’s people and was given an assignment at Sourcebooks.
Participation in CWIP also has helped Lisa Scacco, the production and office manager at Lake Claremont Press. She mentioned during the networking portion of the meeting that she had acquired her job through an acquaintance she had met at CWIP.
Member Ann Logue said she found the program very interesting. She came from a financial background before she started to write books on financial topics.
Lila Stromer, managing editor for the American Bar Foundation, said she was glad she came. She was able to talk to freelancers, and she was able to talk to a photographer. This was helpful because her hobby is photography. People at CWIP were "incredibly friendly, helpful and social," she said.
Linda Graham works in the Inside Sales and Support Division of Holt McDougal Publishing in Evanston.