Tuesday, January 18, 2011

What Do You Want To Be?

Have you ever wanted to be an editor? I have. Nothing is scarier than getting what you want. I can remember when I was labeled Assistant Editor of The Times of Southwest Louisiana and sat down to proof and edit that first issue. Talk about fear! I realized just how much I didn’t know.

There are times I’ve longed to start a POD company and publish those wonderful books by friends—those books that haven’t found a home yet.

There are times I’ve really wanted to be an agent so I could aggressively pitch those books by friends that seem to have no advocate.

There are times I’ve thought about being a publicist so I could draw attention to my writer friends who seem to be doing nothing to promote themselves.

When am I going to find myself? Much to my husband’s chagrin, I really do want it all.

That being said … my friend Jan Rider Newman and I have joined together to produce—edit and publish—Swamp Lily Review, a journal of Louisiana literature and arts. (To get to know Jan better, read my interview with her HERE.) Over coffee we brainstormed ideas, talked about what we would do and wouldn’t do, fretted over finding the perfect swamp lily. Finally, we did find the perfect swamp lily, a photograph by Jeff Dalzel. Look in my right hand corner--I think you’ll admit it’s truly beautiful. We thank Jeff for allowing us to use it. Jan, a website novice, has slaved over pulling it all together. She’s done a marvelous job, and I look good because of it.

I invite you to read over our first issue of Swamp Lily Review. Today, I’m a publisher. Thanks Jan!

11 comments:

David Cranmer said...

Congrats, Jess! You will have a blast. A lot of hard work but it will be very rewarding. I will check it out as time permits this week.

Sylvia Ney said...

Very nice! I would love to submit something, but I'm not sure I qualify. My main residence is in Texas, but our family owns a cabin in Louisiana. We spend quite a bit of time there. Am I qualified? ;-)

Jessica Ferguson said...

Thanks David.

Sylvia, I checked with Jan and right now we're limiting submissions to full time Louisiana residents. Sorry. If things change, you'll be the first to know! :)

Unknown said...

How cool is that. Very nice.

Charles Gramlich said...

Looks wonderful. I'm like you, I've often wanted to do just about everything related to writing, and have done a fair amount. But once I did the editing gig I kind of decided I didn't care much for it. I still have to do too much of it. It's a tough road.

Jessica Ferguson said...

Carole, thanks for hitting my site. I know you're busy... I just hope you're writing!

Charles, I think writers love everything to do with writing. :)

Unknown said...

Thanks to you, my head stayed on straight through this whole process. I should say the beginning of the process, because I sure hope it goes on a long time. I'd never have done all this w/o you. Don't ever make it sound as though Swamp Lily Review isn't as much a product of your talent, time, and commitment as it is mine.

Jessica Ferguson said...

Thanks, Jan. I never would have attempted it without you. In fact, once the ball started rolling... you kept kicking it out of my reach when I wanted to stop it. :)

Angie Kay Dilmore said...

SLR is beautiful! Thank you Jess and Jan for all your hard work.

Jessica Ferguson said...

Thanks Angie, I'm so glad you were a part of this first issue.

Sistergirl said...

Congrats!

In my dream, I am a writer who never get writers block, who gets insired easily, and who can get come out with five bestsellers. I have even dreamed that I was on the set of a movie, its my book coming to life on film. That's my dream.

Its always fun when our dreams come true, we get so excited and wwe get a sense of peace. Enjoy your new journey.