Ruddy Lopez hosted our Instagram, on June 11th, for our weekly #SalaSundays series. Below are a few questions that we asked Ruddy.
Latinx In Publishing (LxP): What do you do?
Ruddy Lopez (RL): I am currently the Communications Co-Director for Latinx in Publishing and the Executive Assistant and Editor for a literary nonprofit based in Los Angeles called Community Literature Initiative (CLI), which operates three programs: poetry publishing classes, World Stage Press, and the Sims Library of Poetry.
LxP: How did you get started?
RL: I started my career as a high school teacher, then became more interested in publishing when I learned that there was a lack of representation and diversity in the field. I applied to the Los Angeles Review of Books Publishing workshop and began networking with other publishing professionals. I had also applied to CLI as a student in their poetry publishing program and volunteered as one of their grant writers, which led me to get hired as the executive assistant. I love editing, so I became the editor of our small press.
LxP: What do you wish you knew before getting into the industry?
RL: When I was younger, I thought authors would finish their manuscripts and it would be ready for publication right away. I never really thought about all the work that goes on behind the scenes and the team needed to get those books in readers' hands. Publishing is such an interesting industry and I wish I had been more exposed to the many different roles in the field when I started off. I've met a lot of amazing folks in the industry who are very passionate about what they do and are open to helping people who are interested in the field.
LxP: What book are you currently working on or reading?
RL: I just finished reading Rest is Resistance: A Manifesto by Tricia Hersey, which I highly recommend. Up next on my reading list is Our Share of Night by Mariana Enriquez.
Ruddy Lopez is an Executive Assistant and Editor at Community Literature Initiative and Communications Co-Director with Latinx in Publishing. She lives in Inglewood, California, and attended California State University, Long Beach, where she obtained a BA in English Literature and English Education. In her spare time, Ruddy enjoys reading, writing poetry, and exploring what her city has to offer.
