May 2020
What was your journey into publishing and your current role?
I've always loved reading ever since I was little, but when it came time to think about a career in college, I was set on selecting something with job security and decided to focus on getting into medical school. Still, I double-majored in English--I couldn't resist. I made it all the way to senior year; I only had one more semester of organic chemistry left and was prepping for the MCATs. And then, one of my closest friends and roommate, Tiara Kittrell (who is now also my colleague at work!) got real with me. She knew I wasn't passionate about science and pushed me to think about publishing as a potential path. She was right! The rest is history--I dropped all the science courses left for my bio major, filled my semester with English Lit classes, got a work-study gig as an editorial assistant, and then basically took three publishing internships back to back. From there, I got a job as a marketing and publicity associate at an indie house for two years and then made the jump to editorial at Harper, where I'm now an associate editor.
What does your day-to-day look like?
I always love this question because the answer sheds a light on what it really means to work in editorial. My day-to-day is changing constantly--there's really no typical day for me. I've always felt that working in editorial, especially when you're an editorial assistant, means being quick on your feet, multitasking, and adapting to any given situation. On a given day, I could be taking a call with an author, prepping materials for acquisition, editing a manuscript for one book and an outline for another, closing on a book offer, meeting with other departments, reading submissions, writing copy, reviewing passes, prepping for a team meeting, etc. Any day has any number of possibilities, and it's always exciting.
Why are you involved with People of Color in Publishing? Why the Communications & Events committee as a co-chair?
About three years ago, POC in Pub was doing a call out for subcommittee volunteers and happily submitted my name. A few years passed and when Saraciea Fennell, who had been leading Communications & Events, asked for new volunteers to take up the mantle, my co-chair Jasmine Miranda and I submitted our names. People of Color in Publishing has meant a lot to me over the years. When I started in publishing, there was only one other person of color in my workplace and I felt very alone at times--POC in Pub made me feel part of a community. It allowed me to meet so many wonderful people in the industry and our network even helped me when I was job hunting. Volunteering has always been part of my life, and I can't think of a better way to give back to the organization and community that has given so much to me.
What's the advice you wish you knew when you were starting out?
I think the number one thing I wish I knew is that it's okay that your first job isn't your "dream job." Getting your foot in the door is hard in publishing. If you're looking to work in a particular department, it's okay to take a job in a different department. No matter where you land, you're going to learn a lot about the industry and experience is experience. You may also be able to make a lateral move in the company, or your work experience can help you stand out in job interview, OR you may unexpectedly end up loving your job. So don't shut yourself from opportunities! Also, never underestimate the power of networking or informational interviews!
And I think the most important thing is to find your people in the industry. I've been very lucky in that regard. I couldn't count the number of times that my friends and mentors have given me great advice, and I don't think I would enjoy being a part of this industry without them.
Carolina Ortiz is an associate editor at HarperCollins Children’s. She works on a variety of projects from board books to young adult. Before her time at HarperCollins, she worked as a marketing and publicity associate at an independent press. She has also interned at Running Press, Quirk Books, and powerHouse Books, while studying at the University of Pennsylvania. With a special place in her heart for Latinx and queer stories, Carolina is excitingly building a list that reflects the diverse world around us and that would allow readers to feel seen in the books they read—a feeling that she rarely experienced in her childhood. Find her on Twitter at @pushthepanorama.
The Bookmark is a bookstore/café with a wide range selection of books and graphic novels in spanish and english, of all categories and genres, in a nice and relaxed atmosphere with a café area that also serves light meals, pastries and wine.
Location: San Patricio Plaza, 2 Gonzalez Giusti Ave. Suite 1 Guaynabo, PR
Website: https://thebookmarkpr.com/ (Shipping during quarantine, and it's FREE on orders of $50 or more)
May 10 @ 2PM ET
Fantasy Stories (Livestream) with Lori Lee, Shveta Thakrar, Nafiza Azad, Julie Abe, S Jae Jones
Join Fantasy young adult and middle grade authors as they discuss the influence their own cultures had on their fantasy world building! Watch the panel on our YouTube Channel HERE
May 11 @ 7PM ET
Asian Food & Identity (Livestream) with Gloria Chao, Roselle Lim, Judy Lin, Misa Sugiura, Alexa S (moderator)
Join authors & creators they discuss the importance of food when it comes to culture and identity! Watch the panel on our YouTube Channel HERE
May 12 @ 5PM PST
Vroman’s LIVE- Brandy Colbert on Only Black Girls in Town with Mary Cecilia Jackson
Join Vroman’s for a double feature with Young Adult authors Mary Cecilia Jackson and Brandy Colbert. This virtual event will take place on Crowdcast. Register to attend here.
May 13 @ 7PM ET
World building in SFF worlds with Desi writers (Livestream) with Swati Teerdhala, Karuna Riazi, Tara Sim, Tanaz Bhathena, Akshaya Raman
Join Desi authors as they discuss how they use their Desi heritage to build dynamic fantasy worlds! Watch the panel on our YouTube Channel HERE
May 14 @ 8PM ET
Books & Tea (Instagram Live) with Julie C Dao & Samira Ahmed
Join authors Julie C Dao & Samira Ahmed as they drink tea and spill the tea on books and publishing during an Instagram live! Watch the Instagram Live HERE or HERE
MAY 14th @ 2PM EST
CRAFT INSIGHT: OwnVoices Brainstorming: Mining Our Cultural Heritage and Memories for Stories
Join picture book authors Alexandra Alessandri and Joana Pastro as they discuss how they tapped into their respective cultures to inspire their stories. Alexandra and Joana will guide viewers through brainstorming exercises geared at finding story from within one's cultural heritage. Register to attend here.
May 14 @ 7PM EST
Books Are Magic LIVE- Jenny Zhang: My Baby First Birthday w/ Tommy Pico
Join Books Are Magic for a live-streamed event in celebration of Jenny Zhang's new poetry collection My Baby First Birthday, which she'll be reading from and discussing alongside Tommy Pico. Register to attend here.
May 15 @ 7PM ET
Isn’t It Romantic (Livestream) with Farah Heron, Tif Marcelo, SK Ali, I.W. Gregorio
Join authors as they discuss their books and writing romance! Watch the panel on our YouTube Channel HERE
May 15 @ 4PM ET
Author Aesthetic & How it inspires writing (Instagram Live) with Lori Lee & Shveta Thakrar
Join authors Lori Lee & Shveta Thakrar on Instagram Live as they discuss friendships in books and friendships in the publishing industry! Watch the Instagram Live HERE or HERE
May 17 @ 2PM ET
In Discussion: Immigrants, Refugees, and Second Gen: Writing the Complexity of the Asian American Experience (Livestream) with Traci Chee, Lori Lee, Deeba Zargarpur, I.W. Gregorio
Join authors as they talk about the complexity of writing the Asian American experience from immigrants to refugees to Second Gen and beyond! This panel is co-hosted by Books Inc! Watch the panel on our YouTube Channel HERE
May 18 @ 7PM ET
Book Friends Forever LIVE Podcast with Grace Lin & Alvina Ling
Join Award-winning author Grace Lin & Editor Alvina Ling for a live episode of their podcast Book Friends Forever! Join us for the Live Chat HERE
May 20 @ 7PM ET
In Discussion: Mixed Race AAPI Identity with Rebecca Kuss, Sarah Kuhn, Karuna Riazi, Heidi Heilig & Keala Kendall
Join AAPI creators as they discuss the nuances of mixed race Asian and Pasifika identities! Watch the panel on our YouTube Channel HERE
June 6
Virtual Bronx Book Festival
This free festival will include keynote speakers such as New York Times bestselling author of Look Both Ways and bestselling Bronx author of Juliet Takes a Breath, Gabby Rivera, along a mix of live-streamed and prerecorded panels as well. RSVP here
DVCON
#DVpit is launching a virtual writers conference! DVcon is a free two-day virtual writers conference for for authors & illustrators who identify with a marginalized community, coming sometime late summer/early fall. DVcon will offer informative workshops, fun micro-content, and our additional focus will be on community-building and forging connections. You'll retain access to content (and friendships!) after the conference ends. Follow @DV_con and #DVcon on Twitter for updates and pre-register here.