Launch Meeting and Halloween

        Last Tuesday all of the interns got to sit in on Milkweed's first book launch meeting. I thought it would be boring and logistical, focusing on dates and figures, but it was actually really fascinating. The meeting began by discussing a book of poetry in translation by a well-renowned Afro-Brazilian author. I have noticed the lack of authors of color represented on Milkweed's shelves and I think this would be a good addition, not just  for that reason. The poet Salgado Maranhão has published around nine collections of poetry in his home country, but he has never been published in the United States. This is a great opportunity for Milkweed to introduce a new and talented voice into the American poetry scene.
       Among topics discussed were the book cover, making a branded series of Milkweed poetry books and translating from Portuguese. All the talk of translation made me realize that I would be suited for that kind of job. I am a creative writing major and a Hispanic studies minor. I am fluent in Spanish. It would be amazing to be able to translate literary works into Spanish. I'm always translating songs just for fun. I have a facility with language and tend to learn them easily. I took only a year of French and I am pretty functional in the language. I would love to better learn French and Portuguese so that I could translate in those languages as well. I know that I am often disappointed by Spanish translations. They often sacrifice literary integrity for clarity.
        Being in the meeting not only made me want to pursue a career in translation but in publishing. Up until now, although I have thoroughly enjoyed my experience at Milkweed, I have assumed that I should become a creative writing professor if I want my own writing to be a priority. But the launch meeting was so engaging that it made me realize that  I would be happy in the publishing world. I would prefer to  work at a small press like Milkweed because they focus on the quality of the writing as opposed to profit. Large publishing houses print what they think they can sell and Milkweed prints what they believe is relevant, interesting and -above all- well-written. Unfortunately I couldn't stay for the second half because I had a class, but I hope I get to sit in on another one!
        Yesterday was the senior editor's birthday. Someone brought in coffee and breakfast treats and we all sat around and shared our Halloween weekend shenanigans. The senior editor is only forty five years old. I was impressed that he had secured such a prominent position by a relatively young age. Then again my supervisor is only three years my senior and she is three years younger than our oldest intern. There's definitely a feeling of comraderie among the staff.
        The other interns and I agreed to wear orange today, but I only have a necklace with a few orange beads and the other intern resorted to purple. At least we are trying to be festive. Last night I had the inspired idea of having a literary themed costume party where everyone is required to be their favorite author, a character from a book or a representation of a book. I think it would be amazing! I hope I'll know enough people next year to actually pull it off. Oh how I love Halloween.