Today we’d like to introduce you to Marissa Giambelluca.
Marissa, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I was hired at Page Street back in 2012 as the 3rd employee–the only editor. I had just graduated from Emerson College and had been doing freelance writing, mostly food reviews for local magazines. I applied for the position and immediately hit it off with the company’s publisher, Will Kiester. I was really drawn to his fresh approach to publishing, and I think he really appreciated my familiarity with the Boston food scene and my drive. For a while it was just four of us: the publisher, the editor, the designer and the production person. But our books began to gain traction and we grew at a rapid pace year-to-year. Now, I am the head of editorial and manage a team of 6 editors and 3 support staff. My day-to-day is pretty insane, but I wouldn’t change it for the world. I’m inspired every day by the fact that this company continues to operate with the same core values we established when we started. And it’s exciting to look back at where I started and realize how far I’ve come.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
There were definitely some growing pains, and I anticipate more to come. But honestly, smooth sailing does not make skilled sailors. I’ve gotten to where I am today because of trial and error, getting knocked down and standing back up stronger than before. Especially in a field like publishing, where the reader’s interest can change at the drop of a hat, I need to be able to bend and not break. I would say the bigger lessons for me have been about management. I spent the first couple of years proving myself as an editor and working within editorial mostly for myself. But as we grew, and in order for me to move up in the company, I had to show that I was able to help other people do the same. It’s an adjustment. You realize that it’s no longer you vs. the world–and sometimes people have the tendency to think they need to step on others to make it to the top. But in reality, if your employee stumbles, it’s a reflection on you. If they’re struggling, it’s your job to inspire them and help them see the light at the end of the tunnel. We’re a team and we either win or lose as a team. I’ve learned a lot about what does and doesn’t work in our office when it comes to managing people. And it’s been stressful, but also really rewarding when it works out.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Page Street Publishing – what should we know?
Page Street Publishing is a publishing company that started as a non-fiction publisher, but we have since branched out into YA and Children’s. I am the head of the non-fiction department and also manage our YA editor. I lend a hand in all things editorial. So I acquire roughly 30 titles a year that I personally edit, and then I also manage my other editors and the books they acquire. I weigh in on their author leads, help develop book concepts, hone book content, and so much more. For my books, I am the main contact for authors so it is a lot of hand-holding and putting out fires. The way that Page Street works is a little different because we go out there and find authors instead of waiting for them to come to us. So it’s a very hands-on process from beginning to end. I find authors, work with them on a concept and then help them bring that concept to life–it’s very organic. The books that we acquire differ from editor to editor because it depends so much on what we’re interested in. For me, I have a foodie background. I love to cook and I love to eat, so of course the majority of my list is cookbooks. I am proud of our company because we have always been about quality and making books for the reader. And I truly believe our books reflect that. We don’t assign popular concepts to authors just to make a buck. We find people we’re inspired by and try to work with them on books they’re passionate about. It makes a better, more authentic product that the author is proud of and the reader is excited by. It’s a fantastic feeling to put your heart into something for months, and then to see it out in the world and be proud to show it off to your friends.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Oh that’s a tough one. I’d say if I had to pick just one it’d be grit. I’ve always been of the mindset that it’s not a question of “if” I can do something, but “how” will I do it. I’ve always felt that I can accomplish anything I put my mind to, and when you start there then the sky is the limit. I’ve gotten very far by just trusting my gut and putting in the work.
Contact Info:
- Website: pagestreetpublishing.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/pagestreetpublishing/
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/PageStreetPublishing/
Image Credit:
All images courtesy of Page Street Publishing Co.
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