Thursday, March 28, 2024

MSU home to one of few university publishing houses

January 27, 2016

Tucked in the southern end, it could easily be overlooked by passersby.

However, founded about 70 years ago, the MSU Press publishes 30 to 40 works a year and helps MSU to stand out among American colleges for a variety of reasons.

“There are only about 100 universities in the U.S. with their own publishing houses out of the two or three thousand colleges in the U.S.,” MSU Press senior acquisitions editor Alex Schwartz said.

Among the most impressive of the press’ works are those related to Africa.

“The people we’ve worked with have told us how hard it used to be for African authors to get their work published and printed in the U.S.,” MSU Press marketing and sales manager Julie Reaume said. “We’ve opened up some avenues for these authors over the years.”

"When you’re in publishing you get to meet the person behind the book. Writing is very emotional for authors, it’s their life’s work. "

A book published by the press about growing a disease resistant strain of cassava is a favorite memory of MSU Press editor-in-chief Julie Loehr.

“We gave a free copy to a man from a village in Africa and he sent us back some pictures of their village and a letter saying that the book had changed their lives,” Loehr said.

Cassava is a plant commonly consumed in Africa, often used to make tapioca in the United States.

Works centered around Africa include the prison letters of African National Congress member Ahmed Kathrada, who was incarcerated for 26 years with Nelson Mandela.

Kathrada spoke on campus and met with staff from the MSU Press, Reaume said. She said the experience moved her.

“Kathrada didn’t seem bitter about his time in prison, in his mind they (anti-Apartheid activists) won,” Reaume said.

Being a part of the press gives staff new ways to experience the books that are published.

“When you’re in publishing you get to meet the person behind the book,” Reaume said. “Writing is very emotional for authors, it’s their life’s work.”

Other current MSU Press projects include translating numerous Arabic language works into English.

“It’s very important that the U.S. and other Western countries have access to the narratives and stories of the Middle East,” Schwartz said. “These stories really show and denote the human experience, and no matter what society or culture you are in there are always truly human experiences that transcend boundaries.”

Translating these works can prove to be difficult for the press.

“It’s a challenge to translate the oral and lyrical nature of Arabic poetry to the more literary style of English,” Schwartz said.

Schwartz hopes the works give Arab-Americans cultural connections they may otherwise miss out on.

“There are many Arab Michiganders who will not learn Arabic — these books help to give these people a better understanding and appreciation for their culture,” Schwartz said.

Discussion

Share and discuss “MSU home to one of few university publishing houses” on social media.