devils and pradas

So, I realize that my little notes in this blog are much like Fanny Trollope's and Charles Dickens's writings of their experiences in America in that they are of great interest to the author but probably not of much interest to others who have not experienced it first-hand. The only difference is that my writing isn't nearly as good as theirs, and mine will never be published. With that in mind, maybe I can offer at least one amusing comment: the man sitting next to me in the computer lab is talking to himself or to the computer. I can't tell which. When I say talking, I mean carrying on a full conversation. Hmm. You've got to wonder about that.
It has officially been one of the busiest weeks of my life. Because we get both this coming Monday and Tuesday off for the Fourth of July, the Magazine director has decided to work us until we are completely exhausted this week in order to make up for lost time. I haven't had a minute to think, but at least I know a LOT more about magazine publishing now than I did a week ago. It's an interesting industry in that it's "service" oriented, but everyone admits that at the end of the day, money is what matters most. If something or someone sells well on a cover, that's what you do. Of course, there are exceptions, but that is the way the mass market looks at the world.
The magazine director is an interesting woman herself. Let's just say she fits the stereotype that the cutthroat magazine industry is known for. Often, she isn't very tactful, and everyone is surprised if she actually compliments the group or an idea. In her defense, she really knows what she's talking about, and if you're not intimidated by her, you're okay. You've got to have a pretty tough skin, but I guess it's good to get used to now. As you probably all know, the movie, The Devil Wears Prada comes out today, and there are some striking resemblances to my life and that movie right now. Seeing and hearing from editors and directors of many well-known magazines has made the premise of this book and movie realistic, even if it is "fiction." I think everyone in the program agrees. I think it may be a good group therapy session to see this little movie as soon as we can.

whew, half way over

Well, I just finished the first half of the publishing program today. We had our group presentations on the imprint we created. That included presenting our catalog of upcoming titles and our marketing plans for each one. It went well, but we had an interesting reaction from the judges. One of the judges really ripped us apart, and basically told us what was wrong with each title. It was a little harsh, but the information was good. However, another one of the judges praised us to the skies and said he thought our imprint had some really good titles and plans, and that he loved it. As it is, we didn't take first place, but we did get an award for our lead title, Generation whY Me: Most media potential, which can create bestsellers, so we were excited about that.
Today after our wine and bagels (man, the alcohol sure flows freely around here), we got our reading material for the Magazine section starting on Monday. Let me just say, it's going to be just as busy, if not busier. I now have two of the largest binders I have ever seen full of reading materials. I am excited, though. There are people from some pretty big magazines coming: People, In Style, Better Homes and Gardens, Martha Stewart Omnimedia, Reader's Digest, and the list goes on. It will be good. I don't really get much of a break because there is quite a bit of reading for Monday, and I still have to finishing the oh-so-scintillating book, The Magazine Publishing Industry. A weekend of reading--at least it's better than spending the time outside in the heat and humidity. Man, that isn't very fun.

heaven on earth

So, today we had class at Barnes and Noble in Union Square. First of all, this isn't an ordinary bookstore. Just imagine four huge floors filled with books. We had the main guy over merchandising and one of the buyers talk about their end of the book business. It was interesting to hear because many people who work for publishers see B and N and Borders as the big bad chain store. (At what point do I find it freaky that my life very closely resembles You've Got Mail?) They really rolled out the red carpet for us. They provided morning treats from Starbucks. Wow, their orange juice and bagels are just as good as everyone says they are. Or was it something else they're known for? I can't remember. Anyway, they brought us in before the store opened, and we met in an area they have set aside for readings and author appearances. Afterward, they gave us all a $25 gift certificate. You should have seen the look on everyone's face. Giving free money for books to a bunch of book lovers? It was like the proverbial kid in a candy store.
To top it off, today was research day at all of the independent bookstores as well. It was so we could see where our theoretical books that our theoretical imprint is publishing would fit in. I went to Strand--famed for supposedly having 18 miles of books. Let me just say it was like Sam Weller's times ten. It was seriously cool.
Needless to say, I have bought a book or two in addition to the ones we have received for free while being here. Mom, I think I am going to need to ship some things home . . .

loving it

So, I just want you all to know how much I love New York thus far. It's such a crazy city, and there are some many people everywhere, but there is also so much to do. Last night, a couple of my roommates and I went to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The greatest part was that it was free. Apparently, they open up all of the museums on Museum Mile one night a year to the public for free. They close off 5th Avenue in that area, and there are all sorts of street performers and entertainment.
But really, the cream of the experience was going to that museum. I had planned to check out the Guggenheim as well, but I didn't have time. I loved their collection of paintings in particular--Matisse, Monet, Renoir, Picasso, Seraut, Cezanne, Degas. You know, the usuals. Their Rodin collection is pretty amazing too. I love it. I love it all. I really enjoy being able to live as a normal New Yorker during the week, and play tourist on the nights and weekends. It's pretty good. So, anyway, that doesn't say a whole lot, but there you have it. It's a good place to be.

charitable nuns

Well, I had a pretty interesting experience the other day. I was eating lunch in City Hall park, which is just across the street from where my classes are and very close to the Brooklyn Bridge (very cool, by the way). I was chatting with another girl in the program when a nun came up to us and said something like "St. Joseph's orphanage" and stood there with a small basket of money. She just stood there and looked at my friend and said, "I can't hear you." She waited for a minute more and when my friend didn't respond she said again, "I can't hear you!" Finally my friend said, "Good afternoon." At that, the nun walked away muttering something and was obviously disgusted. To this friend, who is from Kenya, it wasn't a very favorable impression of Americans.
As it happened, there was a man sitting near us on an adjoining park bench and said, "Don't worry about her. I see her around here all of the time. She even came in to a restaurant where I was eating and went up to each table people we seated at, and asked them for money. When she came to me, I just stared at her and didn't say a word. She left because she knew I caught on to her."
As if that wasn't interesting enough, a younger man came up to us and said, "I heard you talking about the nun. She's a fake, right? I was here once and asked where the orphanage is located. It doesn't exist--I tried to look it up."
So, apparently the New Yorkers know this woman is a complete fake, but a lot of people fall into her trap because there are a lot of tourists in the area.
She goes up to everyone she sees and made quite a bit during the short time I was there. She must make a killing. What a charitable "nun."
By the way, I haven't seen any rats yet. :)

ID please

Well, after the first day of classes, I have noticed that you need your school ID everywhere you go. You need it to get into every building associated with the university. I went to get my ID card today, and ironically, you need to show your ID to enter the ID center too. I had a temporary ID until I got my permanent one, but what do you do if you lose your ID card? I guess you're toast.
On a more interesting note, I passed (but haven't yet gone in) The Strand, a great book store that claims to have 18 miles of books. It looks like lots of fun and a couple of hours of perusing. Better yet, it's just a couple of blocks from where I'm staying!
Classes are really interesting too. The staff that produced the best-selling novel Marley and Me spoke about the process of publishing this book and the different promotions they put together for it. It was quite interesting. We also got advanced reader's copies. I'm excited to read it. This morning we also had the president of the AAP (Association of American Publishers) speak. It's quite the all-start cast every day.
By the way, this comment is for Heather: NYU's color is purple. They have a purple flag outside of each building, and many of the doors in the buildings are purple. Even the blinds in my bedroom window are purple. It's pretty good.
Also, here's the hideous fashion tip of the day: leggings with cowboy boots. It's quite the thing around here. Try it. Or don't.

cocktails, anyone?

Well, the funny thing is, I haven't actually made it to New York yet, but I'm getting quite the list of preconceived notions about this experience already. There is an email list that all members of the Institute subscribe to. So far, there hasn't been a lot of communication back and forth except to send out assignments. However, today one of the girls sent out an invitation to all to go get cocktails after the orientation on Sunday. It's the first topic that has inspired a huge response. Everyone is excited to have a drink or two to get to know everyone. There's also a reception coming up in a couple of weeks where wine and cheese will be available. Hmm. Somehow I think one of these things is not like the other already. Tonight, my friend Kim suggested I ask them all if they would like to have a Munch and Mingle at my apartment instead. The great incentive would be that I would make homemade chocolate chip cookies. Heh. If only there were room in my suitcase for my pink pinafore. . . .
I can just imagine my new roommates' responses as I skip off to Church with my scripture bag in tow. We'll see how this goes over.

Welcome!

Welcome to my blog! It was suggested by more than one person that I set up a blog to chronicle my adventures in New York this summer. So, just in case you're interested, here it is. If you're not interested at all, feel free to forget this blog exists.