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!