Lisa McMurtray
Summary
Creative, detail-oriented professional with 8 years experience in nonfiction, trade, and academic publishing, including acquisitions, copywriting, networking, social media, fundraising, building lists, contract negotiation, and more. Adaptable and collaborative self-starter with a dedicated interest in diversity, equity, and inclusion in publishing.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
Work History
Acquisitions Editor
University Press of Mississippi
07.2022 - Current
- Acquires 25 to 30 books annually in the following fields: biography and memoir; Caribbean studies; comics studies; diaspora studies; ethnic studies; music and ethnomusicology; and women's, gender, and sexuality studies
- Manages and works with editors for the following series: Atlantic Migrations and the African Diaspora; BioGraphix; Caribbean Studies Series; Margaret Walker Alexander Series in African American Studies; So You Think You Know; The Tom Inge Series on Comics Artists; Willie Morris Books in Memoir and Biography
- Builds and maintains a network of authors, potential authors, and peer reviewers, and conducts and oversees all author communication
- Communicates directly with writers to collaboratively assess work and guide editorial improvements
- Solicits and evaluates proposals and manuscripts for internal review
- Coordinates manuscript peer review by engaging subject matter experts in relevant fields for informed evaluations
- Routinely travels to conferences to meet with scholars, sell books, and promote the Press
- Attends functions outside of regular office hours to support authors, promote titles, and increase the Press's visibility
- Prepares and presents materials at staff meetings, including acquisitions and launch meetings, as well as for approval at meetings of the Press Board of Directors
- Negotiates contracts directly with authors or agents
- Collaborates with marketing teams to create promotional materials for acquired titles, contributing to successful launches
- Works with Editor-in-Chief and other colleagues in to plan, develop, and shape lists and subject areas
- Collaborates with Editorial, Production, Marketing, and Business colleagues regularly
- Reviews permission issues and maintains awareness of new developments in copyright law
- Maintains publication schedules by efficiently coordinating with production teams on deadlines and deliverables
- Monitors current and pending acquisitions at various stages of development.
- Maintains awareness of trends in both academic and publishing industries
- Creates Press merchandise, including original art, clothing, and buttons for sale
Associate Editor
University Press of Mississippi
07.2019 - 07.2022
- Acquired 15 to 20 books annually in the following fields: biography and memoir; Caribbean studies; comics studies; diaspora studies; ethnic studies; ethnomusicology; and women's, gender, and sexuality studies
- Managed and worked with editors for the following series: Atlantic Migrations and the African Diaspora; BioGraphix; Caribbean Studies Series; Margaret Walker Alexander Series in African American Studies; Willie Morris Books in Memoir and Biography
Editorial Assistant
University Press of Mississippi
08.2015 - 07.2019
- Maintained routine correspondence with authors, series editors, and other professionals
- Reviewed manuscripts for text and image permissions and maintained permission logs and design lists
- Prepared manuscripts for transmittal
- Attended and actively participated in launch meetings and other staff meetings
- Prepared and proofread internal documents such as launch forms, board packets, seasonal catalog, jacket copy, and other material as necessary
- Assisted editor in peer review process, including contacting readers, tracking reader reports, and evaluating reviews
- Maintained editorial and acquisitions reports, checklists, and spreadsheets, as well as title management and filing
- Aided in social media presence of the Press
- Prepared grant applications and assisted in finding grant opportunities.
McRae Intern
University Press Of Mississippi
08.2015 - 10.2015
- Worked closely with editorial staff and Editor-in-Chief
- Prepared contracts for authors and readers
- Sought readers for manuscripts and proposals
- Drafted letters and communicated with readers
Teaching Assistant
Florida State University, English Department
08.2012 - 05.2015
- Teacher of Record: ENC 1101, ENC 1102, ENC 1142
- Designed syllabi for a variety of English Composition courses
- Chose course reading material from classic to contemporary fiction and poetry, nonfiction, and literary criticism
- Lectured and aided discussion each class meeting
- Conferenced one-on-one with students to discuss editing and revision on both local and global levels
- Commented on and graded multiple drafts of student papers
- Aided student research, including the use of databases and scholarly journals.
Associate Editor
Jabberwock Review
08.2011 - 05.2012
- Reviewed and solicited poetry, fiction, and nonfiction manuscript submissions for publication
- Corresponded with authors chosen for publication
- Aided coordinating staff readers
- Maintained database of submissions, including author, title, date of submission, readers, editorial decision, and date of response
- Helped develop journal website and social media presence
- Aided in journal presence at AWP
Teaching Assistant
Mississippi State University
08.2010 - 05.2012
- Teacher of Record: EN 0103, EN 1103, EN 1113
- Designed syllabi and chose course reading material
- Worked closely with students to discuss editing and revision on both local and global levels throughout writing process
- Aided student research, including use of databases and scholarly journals
- Worked in the University Writing Center aiding students at all levels and in a variety of classes with editing and revising papers.
Education
Master of Arts - Creative Writing, Poetry
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL05.2015
Master of Arts - English
Mississippi State University
Starkville, MS05.2012
Bachelor of Arts - English
Mississippi State University
Starkville, MS05.2010
Skills
- Copywriting and Editing
- Developmental Editing
- Manuscript Review
- Planning and Coordination
- Microsoft OneDrive / SharePoint
- Microsoft Office Suite
- Filing / Organization
- MLA / Chicago
- Biblio Title Management
- Social Media Outreach
- Graphic Design
- Grant Writing
References
Katie E. Keene, Editor-in-Chief
(662) 347-1046
kkeene@mississippi.edu
University Press of Mississippi
Emily Snyder Bandy, Acquisitions Editor
(281) 948-1412
ebandy@mississippi.edu
University Press of Mississippi
Courtney McCreary, Publicist
(662) 582-1308
cmccreary@mississippi.edu
University Press of Mississippi
Tonia Lonie, Financial Manager
(601) 720-7434
lonie.tonia@teachinglab.org
Teaching Lab
Lauren Rhoades, Director of Grants
(303) 748-0444
lauren.e.rhoades@gmail.com
Mississippi Arts Commission
Timeline
Acquisitions Editor
University Press of Mississippi
07.2022 - Current
Associate Editor
University Press of Mississippi
07.2019 - 07.2022
McRae Intern
University Press Of Mississippi
08.2015 - 10.2015
Editorial Assistant
University Press of Mississippi
08.2015 - 07.2019
Teaching Assistant
Florida State University, English Department
08.2012 - 05.2015
Associate Editor
Jabberwock Review
08.2011 - 05.2012
Teaching Assistant
Mississippi State University
08.2010 - 05.2012
Master of Arts - Creative Writing, Poetry
Florida State University
Master of Arts - English
Mississippi State University
Bachelor of Arts - English
Mississippi State University