Professor Marty Gervais and students in his publishing practicum course hold copies of the books they helped shepherd to completion.
Holding in her hands a book she helped to publish was an “incomparable” experience for Maggie Chan.
A fourth-year student of English and French, she is a student in the editing and publishing practicum course taught by resident writing professional Marty Gervais. On Tuesday, April 5, members of the class will launch three books published by Black Moss Press as a result of their work.
The students edited the work, designed the books’ layouts and covers and will promote sales and distribution.
“This course is unique, especially for undergraduates to be engaged in the process to this extent,” Chan says. “We were able to see all the little things that go into making a book.”
She says it was an “awesome feeling” to open a box of the completed volumes.
“When I brought it home, I was super-excited,” she says.
Tuesday’s event, titled “A Journey through the Pages,” will launch three books:
- How We Fare by poet Mary Ann Mulhern;
- Twelve Miles to Midnight by UWindsor English professor André Narbonne; and
- I’ll Be There Soon comedian John Wing.
The free public reception will run 7 to 10 p.m. at the Water’s Edge Event Centre, 2879 Riverside Drive East. The authors will be on hand to read from and sign their works. The books will sell for $16 apiece or $40 for a collection of all three.