An interview with Stephanie Williams, new director of Ohio University Press

This summer, Ohio University Press welcomed its new director, Stephanie Williams to the team. She brings to the press a broad range of book industry experience and exciting ideas for the future of the press.

In advance of the Ohio University Press open house event on Friday, Sept. 20, a few of our publicity assistants sat down with Williams to learn more about her publishing background, her hobbies, her vision for the press, and more.

Thanks for being here with us today, Stephanie. To start, what initially drew you to publication as a career? Did your love of literature influence your later approach to marketing and publicity?

My earliest memories involve books. I could not wait to be able to read to myself. In 7th grade I won a writing contest that gave me the courage to ask if my branch librarians would have me as a volunteer. That summer I read all of the fiction in that branch, along with a smattering of the most interesting books in the history section.

I worked in bookstores throughout my 20s and while I was in school (and continued to work part-time in bookstores after my first publishing job.) My last full-time bookselling job was as the publicity and promotions manager at Boulder Book Store. That job exposed me to a broad range of authors and publishers, and I became acquainted with publicists and sales managers who were trying to get their authors scheduled for book signings and events. I came to enjoy the environment: not only was I working with writers I admired at Naropa by day, but a handful of notable writers and thinkers also spent time in the store where I worked nights and weekends.

I knew I wanted to work in book publishing but I did not want to live in New York. After Naropa, I found a job at a mid-sized independent publisher based near my home in Louisiana. Pelican Publishing Company was William Faulkner’s first publisher (he arranged the drawings in Sherwood Anderson and Other Famous Creoles). Working at this small company allowed me to experience the full range of publishing work and allowed me to exercise creativity in promoting the list.

This was the first step of a long and fulfilling career in publishing for me, which I am looking forward to continuing here at Ohio University Press. After working as an independent book publicist, I worked at the University Presses of Florida, Missouri, and then Kentucky in sales and marketing positions:

What do you like to do when you’re not at the press?

Between keeping up with new writers and reading for the Unbound Book Festival I help organize in Columbia, Missouri, I’d say my most practiced hobby is reading. I also enjoy cooking, keeping up with friends from all the places I have lived, and occasional crochet and sewing.

What are your aspirations for the future of Ohio University Press? Are there any changes you hope to see implemented during your time as director?

Ohio University Press is held in high esteem among other publishers and with scholars for our staff to title output ratio and, of course, for the tremendous African Studies list built by my predecessor, Gillian Berchowitz. Ohio University Press has worked to be a point of pride on our campus in ways that resonate with President Nellis’ strategic pathways and that address the core mission of the press: to publish books of enduring scholarship and that participate in vital discussions of the day.

As director, I intend to build on our success in African Studies and to build a list in African American studies that communicates with a similar range of audiences. I intend to establish scholarly communication workshops for various constituencies on campus. I am already working to form new relationships with campus departments, with scholarly societies, and with cultural organizations throughout the state and region. My key focus is on collaboration and partnership on campus and around the world to expand the reach of the scholars and writers we publish.

Thank you, Stephanie! It sounds like a great plan, and we look forward to seeing these ideas in action.

To learn more about our new director and about Ohio University Press, stop by our annual Open House event on Friday, Sept. 20, from 3 to 5 p.m. on the first floor of Alden Library. Light refreshments will be served and all attendees will have the opportunity to meet Ohio University Press’ staff and student workers. We hope to see you there!