Columnist, Blogger Jane Friedman on the State of the Publishing Business, April 29
April 3, 2019
Contact: Office of Government and Public Affairs
Phone: 410.837.5739
The University of Baltimore's MFA in Creative Writing and Publishing Arts Reading Series welcomes Jane Friedman, an award-winning author with years of experience in the publishing industry and expertise in developing business strategies for authors and publishers, on Monday, April 29 at 7 p.m. in the Bogomolny Room in the UB Student Center, 21 W. Mt. Royal Ave. The event is free and open to the public.
Since 2001, Friedman has spoken at hundreds of venues, including writing conferences, industry events, and creative writing programs. About modern changes facing the publishing industry, she says: "I have a special interest in how the digital age is transforming writing careers, publishing, and storytelling. I don't think that business and art must be at odds—I believe they can inform and push each other to flourish."
Friedman is the co-founder of The Hot Sheet, an essential industry newsletter for authors. In addition to being a columnist with Publishers Weekly and a professor with The Great Courses, she maintains an award-winning blog for writers at JaneFriedman.com. Friedman's expertise has been featured in The New York Times, the Washington Post, NPR, PBS, and many other outlets.
Friedman's latest book is The Business of Being a Writer, an educational tool for new and working writers alike. Publishers Weekly says it is "destined to become a staple reference book for writers and those interested in publishing careers."
Linda Joy Myers, president and founder of the National Association of Memoir Writers, says of Friedman, "Throughout the year, I listen to a lot of authors, writers, teachers, and publishers talk about the current state of writing and publishing, too often hearing something like: 'Sure, go ahead and write, but don't get your hopes up....' Jane's message is very different.... After listening to her explain the current state of publishing, writing, and connecting, you could feel a lively energy buzz around the room, and uplifting of creativity, a juicy excitement about what we are all doing."
Friedman says of her area of interest, "I sit at the intersection of several communities, which gives me a 360-degree view of the changes now shaping writing and publishing. People working inside the industry see me as an expert in digital and self-publishing, while independent authors see me as a traditional publishing figure. The university and MFA community see me as very commercially minded, while the business people see me as literary and academic. I would have it no other way; I prefer to serve as a bridge."
Friedman was honored with the Virginia Writers Club Lifetime Achievement Award in 2017.
The University of Baltimore's MFA Reading Series was launched in Fall 2006 and has hosted writers such as Anne Patchett, Michael Chabon, and Patricia Smith. The Reading Series is made possible by the Hearst Visiting Scholars Fund.
Learn more about the MFA in Creative Writing and Publishing Arts.