Book Quirks
Welcome to the Dear Book Nerd podcast, a bi-weekly show that answers your questions about life, love, and literature! My special guest host this week is the great Eric Smith. We answer three listener-submitted questions and discuss topics such as quirky book habits, how to make yourself an ideal candidate for a publishing internship, and whether or not a job on the “bookternet” is for you. Don’t miss it!
Eric Smith is an author, blogger, and literary agent from Philadelphia. He writes humor and YA. His latest novel, INKED, is a YA fantasy out now with Bloomsbury Spark. You can find him on Twitter @EricSmithRocks. Thanks, Eric!
This episode was sponsored by Random House Audio and Book Riot Live.
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QUESTIONS DISCUSSED:
Dear Book Nerd,
I want to be a published author but I also want to be an editor at a publishing company. I have a BA in Writing Arts and I am pursuing my MA in Writing Arts. I keep applying for internships but I never hear back. Because I, and some of my friends, could not find the experience, we made the experience and now all work on a collaborative creative writing blog where we each write a chapter of a story.
Is this something that will help me? I mean outside of keeping me writing and editing while I’m not in school–do you think working on a project like this will help me when I submit a manuscript or apply for editorial positions?
Thanks for your time,
Jessica
Dear Book Nerd,
I found your show just after your first episode was released and I have listened to every episode ever since. Thank you for all the great advice regarding problems of the average (and not so average) book nerd.
I have long considered a career as a Teacher Librarian while pursuing my writing on the side, and found your episode ‘Career Help’ pointed me in the right direction. However, recently I have started to question how much I would enjoy this profession. I volunteer at my local library once a week and I love it, but I am faced with the realization that sadly it is a changing profession with the increasing need for technological knowledge. I have instead considered a career at Book Riot, Hypable or another bookish company where I can share my quirky interpretations of books and be involved in the bookish world.
Do you have any advice on how I could work towards getting a job at companies like these, and if possible what sort of university degree I should look into?
Sincerely,
Quirky Book Lover
Dear Book Nerd,
Just curious what book rituals you have, if any. I place a bookmark at the halfway point of every book I read, before I begin reading it. I never buy the first book on the shelf unless it’s the only copy on the shelf. I have others but what are yours? Or odd ones you’ve heard of.
Thanks,
Mary
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LINKS DISCUSSED:
Dear Book Nerd Episode #25: Career Help (Dear Book Nerd Style!)
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