#SalaSundays with Lauren Cepero

Lauren Cepero hosted our Instagram, on September 10, 2023 for our weekly #SalaSundays series. Below are a few questions that we asked Lauren.

Latinx In Publishing (LxP): What do you do?

Lauren Cepero (LC): I am a Publicity Manager for Kids & YA titles at Page Street.

LxP: How did you get started?

(LC): From middle school through my third year of undergrad, I had planned to become a journalist but when I looked around and saw how passionate everyone else in my final classes were, compared to my waning interest, I knew that journalism wasn’t going to be the path for me. At the time, I was working at the university library and ended up talking to a librarian about my future options. They suggested publishing! Despite being a voracious reader, I had never thought about how books were made. I tried for internships but didn’t have much luck, so I applied for the Publishing & Writing graduate program at Emerson College. From there, I did many internships and eventually went on to work for HMH Books for Young Readers and Page Street.

LxP: What do you wish you knew before getting into the industry?

(LC): This is a hard question because so much of the job is learned on the job, even with previous schooling / internships! Over the years, via various sources, I have heard the advice that to work in a marketing department you need to be an extrovert. Many things are probably easier if you are naturally a charismatic extrovert, but you can tend toward shyness (as I do) and still work in marketing. The reality is that you will likely have to publicly speak in some capacity in many of the departments within publishing (to the sales team / when pitching a book for acquisition / to your own team or full department) and it’s a skill you absolutely can learn! So don’t let that stop you from considering a position in marketing or publicity.

LxP: What book are you currently working on or reading?

(LC): I just finished reading What the River Knows by Isabel Ibañez, which was swoony and fun – recommend if you enjoyed The Royal Diaries: Cleopatra VII, Daughter of the Nile as a kid. Now I am trying to decide between Starling House by Alix E. Harrow and Angus, Thongs, and Full-Frontal Snogging by Louise Rennison (which I’ve never read!). Very different vibes, lol, but both fit with the early Fall / back-to-school- season and I’ll likely go back and forth with both this month. 

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Lauren Cepero is a Publicity Manager for Kids & YA titles at Page Street. She has worked on campaigns for Woven in Moonlight by Isabel Ibañez, Damned If You Do by Alex Brown, The Gathering Dark anthology edited by Tori Bovalino, and more. Originally from Orlando, Florida, she earned her MA in Publishing & Writing from Emerson College  and currently resides in the Boston-area.  

#SalaSundays with Carla Benton

Carla Benton hosted our Instagram, on August 20, 2023 for our weekly #SalaSundays series. Below are a few questions that we asked Carla.

Latinx In Publishing (LxP): What do you do?

Carla Benton (CB): I am a full-time freelance copy editor and proofreader. Previously, I worked in-house in production editorial roles at Penguin, Macmillan, and Simon & Schuster.

LxP: How did you get started?

(CB): I attended college in New York City; during this time I held publishing internships, and I continued to follow that career path once I graduated.

LxP: What do you wish you knew before getting into the industry?

(CB): I graduated in 2009, when the recession was still in full swing and jobs were scarce, so I was very preoccupied with making sure I majored in something that would likely land me a job, even though I wasn't entirely sure what type of job I wanted. I wish I'd known just about any writing-focused concentration in the humanities would have prepared me to take the same career path so I would have felt more inclined to choose a course of study purely because it interested me.

LxP: What book are you currently working on or reading?

(CB): I just wrapped up proofreading a compelling memoir called My Side of the River by Elizabeth Camarillo Gutierrez. A recent read I enjoyed was R. F. Kuang's latest novel, Yellowface, and on the nonfiction side I just started reading sports journalist Jemele Hill's memoir, Uphill.

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I am full-time freelance copy editor and proofreader and have been based in Chicago for seven years now. I mostly work on adult books and the Big Five publishers continue to be my primary clients. In my spare time, I am an avid long-distance runner, and I enjoy traveling. I recently returned from an outdoor retreat in Alaska that was organized by one of the authors I worked with last year!

#SalaSundays with Kiara Valdez

Kiara Valdez hosted our Instagram, on August 27, 2023 for our weekly #SalaSundays series. Below are a few questions that we asked Kiara.

Latinx In Publishing (LxP): What do you do?

Kiara Valdez (KV): I am an editor at First Second, Macmillan's graphic novel imprint.

LxP: How did you get started?

(KV): I got hired right after graduating college and have been working at First Second for more than seven years.

LxP: What do you wish you knew before getting into the industry?

(KV): That if you're an editor your desire to read books outside of work actually decreases, haha. Or maybe it's just me.

LxP: What book are you currently working on or reading?

(KV): I'm working on a few but one I'd like to highlight is Call Me Iggy. It's a YA coming of age story about Ignacio "Iggy" Garcia, an Ohio-born Colombian American teen who relies on the outdated dating advice and terrible spanish lessons from his abuelito's ghost while trying to find a place he belongs—both in high school and in the general political climate of America.

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Kiara Valdez is an Afro-Dominican writer and graphic novel editor from New York City (shout out to Washington Heights). She graduated from Williams College with a double major in English Literature and Japanese, and spends her free time reading, writing, and enjoying a long list of other hobbies she can't keep up with. She is currently an editor with First Second, where she has edited several award-winning and best-selling graphic novels.

Though she is proud of every book she’s worked on at First Second, she especially enjoyed working on the Check, Please! series, Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up With Me, Snapdragon, Himawari House, and Frizzy. For her own list she is only looking for graphic novels and is mostly focused on middle grade and young adult. She is open to all genres but is especially interested in magical realism, memoir, #ownvoices stories (especially those from Latinx and Black creators), and stories with LGBTQ+ characters and romance. She likes stories that feel contemporary, real, and are grounded in our world regardless of the genre it’s in, and is a sucker for well-done resolutions/happy endings.

#SalaSundays with Caritza Berlioz

Caritza Berlioz hosted our Instagram, on August 13, 2023 for our weekly #SalaSundays series. Below are a few questions that we asked Caritza.

Latinx In Publishing (LxP): What do you do?

Caritza Berlioz (CB): I am currently an Assistant Acquisitions Editor at Teachers College Press. In this role, I edit and acquire academic books at the intersection of education and social justice across a range of topics and disciplines. I also support the overall department. When I am not acquiring and editing academic books, I write. I graduated from City College of NY MFA Creative Writing program with a concentration in Fiction in 2021.

LxP: How did you get started?

(CB): I started in the publishing industry when I was in college through internships! My first publishing internship was at Valiant Entertainment—a comic-book publisher. Once I graduated, I was hired full-time as a Licensing Coordinator and worked closely with all departments. From there, I knew I wanted to get into editorial, so I made the switch to Teachers College Press.

In other news, I recently accepted an Editor position at another publisher, but more news on that later!

LxP: What do you wish you knew before getting into the industry?

(CB): Uff! I wish I knew many things, but I'll describe a few top things that I believe are most important:

1. Be your own advocate—don't feel you're unqualified if you have at least some experience in the profession, and speak up when you want the promotion, professional development, guidance, etc. The editorial career is an apprenticeship, and you are always learning with each new step in your professional career.

2. Weighing the costs vs. benefits—we are reckoning with the cost of living (especially in NY) versus the notoriously low pay in the publishing industry, especially if you intend to be in editorial. I have stayed in companies for, perhaps, a bit too long in hopes of a promotion that would lead to a higher salary. Ultimately, it was being my own advocate and job hopping that led to my career growth.

3. Networking—I wished I had networked earlier in my career to have people to rely on for advice when things were tough at the outset.

LxP: What book are you currently working on or reading?

(CB): I am currently reading In the Dream House by Carmen Maria Machado. I highly recommend it!

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Caritza Berlioz is an Assistant Acquisitions Editor at Teachers College Press and a CCNY MFA Creative Writing program graduate. When she is not acquiring or editing books on social justice and equity in education, you can find her reading at waterfront parks in Queens, biking through Brooklyn with her husband, or writing her WIP novel and essays.

#SalaSundays with Alex Cruz-Jimenez

Alex Cruz-Jimenez hosted our Instagram, on August 6, 2023 for our weekly #SalaSundays series. Below are a few questions that we asked Alex.

Latinx In Publishing (LxP): What do you do?

Alex Cruz-Jimenez (ACJ): I’m a Marketing Associate for the Viking Books and Penguin Books imprints at Penguin Random House and have been with the company for over 3 years. I’m also a proud board member of POC@PRH, a great employee resource group!

LxP: How did you get started?

(ACJ): While working on my Masters of Teaching degree my university sponsored visits to various employers across New York City. One of the employers was Penguin Random House. We got to visit the office and hear from various employees about what it was like to work there; it was my first introduction to publishing. I fell in love, and focused all of my energy into getting into the industry. That summer I interned at HarperCollins, and in January of the following year (almost a year to the day since I first stepped foot in the PRH offices) I started my first full time job with Viking and Penguin Books!

LxP: What do you wish you knew before getting into the industry?

(ACJ): I wish I knew just how small the industry really is. People always tell you, but once you get in the industry you realize for yourself how connected everything and everyone is. Someone you work with at one job may wind up on a different team with you years later, and you’re bound to run into old colleagues and connections at various events throughout your career.

LxP: What book are you currently working on or reading?

(ACJ): One of my favorite books I’ve worked on has been Her Majesty’s Royal Coven by Juno Dawson, and the second book in the series, The Shadow Cabinet, just came out on June 20th. I never thought I would be a fantasy reader, but Dawson’s books are so funny, insightful, heartbreaking, queer, feminist, satirical, and just an overall good time.

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Alex Cruz-Jimenez is a Marketing Associate at Penguin Random House, working on the Viking Books and Penguin Books imprints. She is Dominican, and is from Queens, New York but currently lives in Manhattan. In her spare time she likes to read, travel, try out new hobbies, and explore New York City.

#SalaSundays with Lauren T. Davila

Lauren T. Davila hosted our Instagram, on July 9, 2023 for our weekly #SalaSundays series. Below are a few questions that we asked Lauren.

Latinx In Publishing (LxP): What do you do?

Lauren Davila (LTD): I am currently an author, Acquisitions Editor, and anthologist focusing on representative genre work across multiple age groups.

LxP: How did you get started?

(LTD): I have always been a huge reader but didn't start to dive into writing myself until enrolled in my undergraduate college. There, I took a few creative writing classes in association with my English Literature and Journalism tracks. I dove headfirst into poetry and fiction, eventually enrolling in a fantastic MFA program and then moving into the publishing world.

LxP: What do you wish you knew before getting into the industry?

(LTD): I think one thing I wish I knew was how much gusto you have to have for the work you are producing. It's difficult to be working and creating in an industry where so much (honestly almost everything) is totally out of your control. From querying to editing to going on sub, so much of your own personal success becomes wrapped up in others and outside affirmation. My main advice to writers starting out is to work on yourself and your self-care as much as you possibly can.

LxP: What book are you currently working on or reading?

(LTD): I'm currently on deadline working on a revision for my agent for what will hopefully be my debut novel AT THE STILL POINTE. It features some powerful ballet dancers trying to solve a string of murders before one of them is next. Oh, and they may just so happen to be possessed by the Greek Furies. Just another day in the life of a ballerina, you know?

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Lauren T. Davila (she/her/ella) is a Pushcart-nominated author and anthologist represented by Susan Velazquez Colmant at JABberwocky Literary Agency. Besides short fiction and poetry, she has edited multiple fiction anthologies including PLACES WE BUILD IN THE UNIVERSE (Flowersong Press 2023) and TO ROOT SOMEWHERE BEAUTIFUL (Outland Entertainment 2024). She holds an MA in English from Claremont Graduate University and an MFA in Creative Writing from George Mason University. She is also the Acquisitions Editor for Inked In Gray Press and is actively acquiring genre fiction from historically marginalized authors. Lauren lives in the greater Los Angeles area where you can find her swimming, walking her golden retriever, and drinking one too many decaf lattes.

#SalaSundays with Sandra Proudman

Sandra Proudman hosted our Instagram, on July 15, 2023 for our weekly #SalaSundays series. Below are a few questions that we asked Sandra.

Latinx In Publishing (LxP): What do you do?

Sandra Proudman (SP): I am a literary associate at Gallt & Zacker Literary Agency, assisting the incomparable, Marietta Zacker. I also have a small list of wonderful author and illustrator clients. In my writing life, I am debuting in 2024 with young adult projects.

LxP: How did you get started?

(SP): I started writing at a young age and minored in creative writing in college. I didn’t write my first full manuscript until I was in my twenties, though. After that, I couldn’t stop writing and doing everything I could to become a published author. Getting started in agenting was an entire leap of faith. I was already in a career path that paid well and offered the stability I wanted to give my family. But with my husband’s full support and some enormous luck at landing an internship at my dream agency, I was able to transition into working in publishing full-time.

LxP: What do you wish you knew before getting into the industry?

(SP): I wish I knew how much you have to learn to let things go because rejection truly comes at all levels. And a way to steel yourself and your heart from disappointment, is learning every single thing in publishing is subjective. Accepting that is invaluable and once you do, it lessens (though, of course, doesn’t eliminate) imposters syndrome tremendously.

LxP: What book are you currently working on or reading?

(SP): I just wrapped up reading Certain Dark Things by Silvia-Moreno Garcia and absolutely loved her take on vampires. In my writing life, I am working on everything from a co-written YA thriller project to a post-apocalyptic retelling of Romeo & Juliet to an MG fantasy to a new anthology proposal and trying to figure out the best next steps. In my agenting life, I’m working on getting client projects ready for submission, from an adorable all-animal picture book to a badass YA fantasy with Black girl magic.

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Sandra Proudman (she/her/ella) is a Mexican American author of unabashed Latinx stories and a literary associate at Gallt & Zacker Literary Agency. She is the author of the YA fantasy, Salvación, out fall 2024 from Wednesday Books and the editor of the anthology Relit: 16 Latinx Remixes of Classic Stories, which is being published by Inkyard Press on February 6, 2024. When not busily immersed in all things publishing, you can find her spending time with her amazing husband and adorable preschooler, catching up on all her shows, and taking care of her garden. Connect with her on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok @SandraProudman and on her website sandraproudman.com.

#SalaSundays with Ruddy Lopez

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. 

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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.

#SalaSundays with Monica Fernandez

Monica Fernandez hosted our Instagram, on May 21, 2023 for our weekly #SalaSundays series. Below are a few questions that we asked Monica.

Latinx In Publishing (LxP): What do you do?

Monica Fernandez (MF): I'm in charge of media and publicity for Red Hen's books and the company as a whole. I'm also managing all of our events, from local events to our presence at national and international book fairs.

LxP: How did you get started?

MF: I started at Red Hen as an intern in the Media and Publicity department in 2017 and worked my way up from there! Before that, I earned a Masters in Arts Degree in Creative Writing and Publishing and interned at a small press, Head of Zeus, in London for 6 months.

LxP: What do you wish you knew before getting into the industry?

MF: You have to wear so many hats, especially working at a small press! There's never a dull moment, but every minute is rewarding when you can hold these books in your hands after all that hard work!

LxP: What book are you currently working on or reading?

MF: At Red Hen, I'm working on our upcoming Fall season of books, which includes a fantastic queer, neurodivergent fantasy book called Cursebreakers by Madeleine Nakamura. It is a fantastic, beautifully written and created world full of magic, queer love, and conspiracy and I can't wait until it comes out on September 12 this year!

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Monica Fernandez graduated from the University of California, Irvine cum laude with a BA in English with an emphasis on Creative Writing, and from City University London with a MA in Creative Writing and Publishing. She has had several short fiction and creative nonfiction pieces published in The Chaffey Review, Rind Literary Magazine, Scribendi, The Left Coast Review, Creepy Gnome, and Pure Slush Magazine’s Envy anthology. She is Filipino-American, a proud Hufflepuff, and a film and theatre enthusiast.

#SalaSundays with Arely Guzmán

Arely Guzmán hosted our Instagram, on April 16, for our weekly #SalaSundays series. Below are a few questions that we asked Arely.

Latinx In Publishing (LxP): What do you do?

Arely Guzmán (AG): I am an assistant editor at Levine Querido.

LxP: How did you get started?

AG: After sending over forty internship applications all around New York, Steven Malk, at Writers House, took a chance on me. I interned at Writers House for close to three years after that. 

LxP: What do you wish you knew before getting into the industry?

AG: I wish I'd known how advocating for diverse authors is an uphill battle. Sometimes you get lucky and find people who will support you, but it's not a given in the industry. 

LxP: What book are you currently working on or reading?

AG: My favorite book I'm working on is a graphic novel biography of Tsai Kun-Lin, a book publisher and victim of the White Terror era in Taiwan.

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Arely Guzmán is an Assistant Editor at Levine Querido. Previously, they were an editorial assistant at Knopf Books for Young Readers, and an editorial intern at Bloomsbury, Writers House, and Kweli Journal. They’re looking for middle grade and young adult books that will reverberate with the in-between communities, and fantastic stories for children who never saw themselves as protagonists. In their spare time, Arely can be found watching little gay cartoons, writing overly-convoluted essays, and being an ever-present guest at their best friend's house.