Daily affirmations of a word mercenary
Columbia Publishing Course Category
Summer of 2001, at the recommendation of some guy I met at Burning Man, I attended the Columbia Publishing Course, formerly known as the Radcliffe Publishing Course. The nation’s preeminant book and magazine publishing program, CPC is part of the Columbia Graduate School of Journalism.
Now, before you go getting all excited, lemme say this: CPC didn’t help me find a job. Not even one interview. The economy was pretty bad summer of 2001, and that was BEFORE 9/11. That said, I had some interesting experiences, met some amazing people, and learned a lot about what I wanted to do with my career … which is be a writer, not a magazine editor.
I put this category together because I noticed a lot of people coming to my site from Google searches for the course. I assume most of these searchers are students considering application to CPC. Below, you can read about my experience. To read it in chronological order, you’ll need to start at the bottom.
Keep in mind that I was not a traditional CPC student (several years out of college, already working for an alternative publication, and with blue dreadlocks). My experience was not necessarily the typical one. Feel free to email me if you have any questions.
Today’s Interesting Developments
15
Aug
2001
In: Columbia Publishing Course
1. Ray Klein called me with a book idea looking for advice on how to sell it. I should be thinking about becoming an agent, because I could be making money doing this.
2. Exchanged emails with Geoff Kloske (Senior Editor at Simon and Schulster), who found my page thanks to one of his authors doing a search and my website popping up (shouldn’t these writers be WRITING rather than doing random web searches? If that’s what published writers do all day, then maybe I do stand a chance as an author!). As I noted to Geoff, “I’ve had more valuable, truly personal interactions with publishing industry professionals via my website than I did at Columbia. Funny, considering the page costs me pennies to host, and CPC was a cool $6k.”
The Dr. Ruthless Saga Continues
13
Aug
2001
In: Columbia Publishing Course
Who remembers my Dr. Ruthless book idea? The one that a real editor had expressed real interest in? Well, the possibility continues to develop into a reality:
From: “B, Alessandra”
Subject: Dr. Ruthless
Date: Mon, 13 Aug 2001 13:52:17 -0400
Hi Ariel,
Donna B gave me your name and contact information. I am an editor who
works with her at Hyperion Books for Chldren. She showed us the excellent
presenation that your group put together for your course, and we were all
very impressed! I tried to reach you on your cell phone, but was having
trouble getting through.
If you could give me a call at 212-XXX-XXXX, I would love to discuss this
project further with you.
Thanks!
Alessandra B
I spoke to Alessandra this morning and gave her Dr. Ruthless’ phone and email (if i was an agent I would have charged her dearly for the information, but I’m not), and she explained that she would be presenting the idea to Hyperion’s acquisition committee. Alessandra also asked me if I was looking for work. Why, of course I am. In New York City? Why, of course I am maybe considering it (wince). She asked me to send my resume. I did. We’ll see.
Market Conditions
13
Aug
2001
In: Columbia Publishing Course
It’s interesting to hear how business folks these days skirt around the words “recession.” During my many dozens of seminars and workshops in New York this summer I heard all sorts of euphamisms desciribing “current market conditions.” Here’s a sampling:
Slow market
Soft economy
Non-growth oriented job market
Tough year
Not like last year
Now I’m not economist, but I would call what’s going on right now a recession. People have less money to spend, less jobs to hire for, and all-n-all it’s harder to get by. I’m not sure what this means for me, the job-seeker, but I can’t think it’s good.
The Chrome Milkshake Awards In
9
Aug
2001
In: Columbia Publishing Course
In an effort to sum up my experience in New York City this summer, I am instituting the first (and only) annual Chrome Milkshake Awards. The Chromies are a celebration of the best and worst of my experience at the Columbia Publishing Course.
Best Food: Tom’s Restaurant. Their Broadway milkshakes are the inspiration for this award’s title. Impecably fast, deliciously diner-y, incredibly cheap, wonderfully familiar service. Open very late. Unfortunately, Tom’s isn’t healthy. But I ate it anyway.
Kindest Act By A Stranger: John Hiler’s loan of a 15″ monitor. This kind hearted blog reader responded to my call for a loaner, and came through with impeccable trust and kindness.
Best Purchase: My new glasses. I only got into shopping for clothes once, but my glasses were a truly satisfying consumer experience. I love them.
Best Mishearing: Shiuan’s Hummous
Greatest New Yorker I Never Met: Dori.
Best Fictional Magazine Article Title: BACKSTREET BOY AJ LEARNS HOW TO LIVE AGAIN
Worst Night: The Tunnel (there’s so much about it that I didn’t write–if you’re that curious, email).
Situation Most Like An Eagles Song: Squatting in Furnald Hall, because “You can check out any time you like, but you can never leave.”
Best Encounter With A Publishing Industry Professional: A tie between Ed Victor and his letcherousness, and Sam Lipsyte’s email (emailS, I should say. Our dialogue continues).
Observed
9
Aug
2001
In: Columbia Publishing Course
Here’s a little quicky about the Columbia Publishing Course from the New York Observer. In the words of my classmate Dena, “Scathing, my dear, scathing.” They ain’t seen nothing yet.
Meanwhile, a bit further uptown, it’s a party at publishing heir Christopher Cerf’s swell Upper East Side digs for the spunky graduates of the 2001 Columbia Publishing Course (previously the Radcliffe Publishing Course)—pay a few thousand bucks and schmooze and wiggle your way right into a cushy internship at Field & Stream! (Advice to the more ambitious of you young ladies: skip the bra at tonight’s fête and you’ll be a pert New Yorker centerfold with a six-figure book deal in no time.)
We called course director L.H. to find out how summer in big bad New York went for her young charges. “It was wonderful,” she said. “For one thing, we went to Condé Nast for sherry hour! Steve Florio gave a wonderful welcoming party where he invited the whole class to the room near the cafeteria. Every editor and publisher of every magazine was there—Graydon Carter, David Remnick. It was so wonderful, and it sent such a wonderful message to the students that they were welcomed by Condé Nast.” Oh, if they only knew.
Class projects included inventing a celebrity magazine called Bill (as in Clinton). “We’re trying to get him to come down and see it,” said Ms. Hess. Considering that the course is more than 80 percent female, she should have no problem. In closing, please consider this naughty excerpt from New York Times food writer Amanda Hesser’s most recent column: “He sampled my firm, sweet … beets.”
Chaotica
7
Aug
2001
In: Columbia Publishing Course
I shipped my computer back to Olympia this morning. I’ll keep updating the blog, but I may get a little behind on my emails for the next week.
We’re continuing our squat at Furnald Hall. Ashley, Terra, and I were moved into a different room…with only one bed between the three of us. That’s ok: I leave early tomorrow morning and am not anticipating sleeping tonight.
Today’s Interesting Developments
15 Aug 2001 In: Columbia Publishing Course1. Ray Klein called me with a book idea looking for advice on how to sell it. I should be thinking about becoming an agent, because I could be making money doing this.
2. Exchanged emails with Geoff Kloske (Senior Editor at Simon and Schulster), who found my page thanks to one of his authors doing a search and my website popping up (shouldn’t these writers be WRITING rather than doing random web searches? If that’s what published writers do all day, then maybe I do stand a chance as an author!). As I noted to Geoff, “I’ve had more valuable, truly personal interactions with publishing industry professionals via my website than I did at Columbia. Funny, considering the page costs me pennies to host, and CPC was a cool $6k.”
The Dr. Ruthless Saga Continues
13 Aug 2001 In: Columbia Publishing CourseWho remembers my Dr. Ruthless book idea? The one that a real editor had expressed real interest in? Well, the possibility continues to develop into a reality:
From: “B, Alessandra”
Subject: Dr. Ruthless
Date: Mon, 13 Aug 2001 13:52:17 -0400
Hi Ariel,
Donna B gave me your name and contact information. I am an editor who
works with her at Hyperion Books for Chldren. She showed us the excellent
presenation that your group put together for your course, and we were all
very impressed! I tried to reach you on your cell phone, but was having
trouble getting through.
If you could give me a call at 212-XXX-XXXX, I would love to discuss this
project further with you.
Thanks!
Alessandra B
I spoke to Alessandra this morning and gave her Dr. Ruthless’ phone and email (if i was an agent I would have charged her dearly for the information, but I’m not), and she explained that she would be presenting the idea to Hyperion’s acquisition committee. Alessandra also asked me if I was looking for work. Why, of course I am. In New York City? Why, of course I am maybe considering it (wince). She asked me to send my resume. I did. We’ll see.
Market Conditions
13 Aug 2001 In: Columbia Publishing CourseIt’s interesting to hear how business folks these days skirt around the words “recession.” During my many dozens of seminars and workshops in New York this summer I heard all sorts of euphamisms desciribing “current market conditions.” Here’s a sampling:
Slow market
Soft economy
Non-growth oriented job market
Tough year
Not like last year
Now I’m not economist, but I would call what’s going on right now a recession. People have less money to spend, less jobs to hire for, and all-n-all it’s harder to get by. I’m not sure what this means for me, the job-seeker, but I can’t think it’s good.
The Chrome Milkshake Awards In
9 Aug 2001 In: Columbia Publishing CourseIn an effort to sum up my experience in New York City this summer, I am instituting the first (and only) annual Chrome Milkshake Awards. The Chromies are a celebration of the best and worst of my experience at the Columbia Publishing Course.
Best Food: Tom’s Restaurant. Their Broadway milkshakes are the inspiration for this award’s title. Impecably fast, deliciously diner-y, incredibly cheap, wonderfully familiar service. Open very late. Unfortunately, Tom’s isn’t healthy. But I ate it anyway.
Kindest Act By A Stranger: John Hiler’s loan of a 15″ monitor. This kind hearted blog reader responded to my call for a loaner, and came through with impeccable trust and kindness.
Best Purchase: My new glasses. I only got into shopping for clothes once, but my glasses were a truly satisfying consumer experience. I love them.
Best Mishearing: Shiuan’s Hummous
Greatest New Yorker I Never Met: Dori.
Best Fictional Magazine Article Title: BACKSTREET BOY AJ LEARNS HOW TO LIVE AGAIN
Worst Night: The Tunnel (there’s so much about it that I didn’t write–if you’re that curious, email).
Situation Most Like An Eagles Song: Squatting in Furnald Hall, because “You can check out any time you like, but you can never leave.”
Best Encounter With A Publishing Industry Professional: A tie between Ed Victor and his letcherousness, and Sam Lipsyte’s email (emailS, I should say. Our dialogue continues).
Observed
9 Aug 2001 In: Columbia Publishing CourseHere’s a little quicky about the Columbia Publishing Course from the New York Observer. In the words of my classmate Dena, “Scathing, my dear, scathing.” They ain’t seen nothing yet.
Meanwhile, a bit further uptown, it’s a party at publishing heir Christopher Cerf’s swell Upper East Side digs for the spunky graduates of the 2001 Columbia Publishing Course (previously the Radcliffe Publishing Course)—pay a few thousand bucks and schmooze and wiggle your way right into a cushy internship at Field & Stream! (Advice to the more ambitious of you young ladies: skip the bra at tonight’s fête and you’ll be a pert New Yorker centerfold with a six-figure book deal in no time.)
We called course director L.H. to find out how summer in big bad New York went for her young charges. “It was wonderful,” she said. “For one thing, we went to Condé Nast for sherry hour! Steve Florio gave a wonderful welcoming party where he invited the whole class to the room near the cafeteria. Every editor and publisher of every magazine was there—Graydon Carter, David Remnick. It was so wonderful, and it sent such a wonderful message to the students that they were welcomed by Condé Nast.” Oh, if they only knew.
Class projects included inventing a celebrity magazine called Bill (as in Clinton). “We’re trying to get him to come down and see it,” said Ms. Hess. Considering that the course is more than 80 percent female, she should have no problem. In closing, please consider this naughty excerpt from New York Times food writer Amanda Hesser’s most recent column: “He sampled my firm, sweet … beets.”
Chaotica
7 Aug 2001 In: Columbia Publishing CourseI shipped my computer back to Olympia this morning. I’ll keep updating the blog, but I may get a little behind on my emails for the next week.
We’re continuing our squat at Furnald Hall. Ashley, Terra, and I were moved into a different room…with only one bed between the three of us. That’s ok: I leave early tomorrow morning and am not anticipating sleeping tonight.
Hey there. I'm Ariel Meadow Stallings, a native Seattleite who's written my way up and down the Left Coast. Electrolicious is where I post daily randomata, but I also write for a living. My first book, Offbeat Bride, was published last year.
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