“By accepting hardship, we enable ourselves to begin to see that it is not entirely negative. It can, for example, be a powerful force in bringing us together with others by enlivening our empathetic, compassionate natures. Above all, suffering helps us recognize our kinship with one another. And with this recognition, we are no longer overwhelmed by our own difficulties, but gain the strength we need to meet the challenges we face.”
—From BEYOND RELIGION by His Holiness the Dalai Lama
December 2011
67 posts
Krikus' Best Nonfiction of 2011 →
kirkusreviews.com
Five of our very own titles made this list: TOLSTOY, HOT, INSIDE SCIENTOLOGY, JANE FONDA, and JERUSALEM, JERUSALEM. Congrats!
Esquire says MEN IN THE MAKING is one of the 10 Best Books of 2011 →
esquire.com
Totes agree. And love this description from Esquire:
“A collection of stories about men, all with three wheels on the road and one in the ditch. They swill too much beer and work overtime for sawmills and shop at Walmart and strike cows with sledgehammers and dogs with cars while overhead the big Texas sky seems to weigh them down as much as their jobs, their families.”
Men in the Making by Bruce Machart. Check it.
Meet Us Monday: Scott Meyers
This week, we hear from Senior Project Manager for the Global Supply Chain, Scott Meyers, a man with a mighty title, and an even mightier decorating sense.
What do you do here at HMH?
My title is Senior Project Manager for the Global Supply Chain, but in essence I am the backlist manufacturing manager for Trade Adult, Juvenile, and Reference departments.
What was your first job in publishing and how has it evolved to what you do today?
I started in the mailroom in 1990 when we were back at Park Street. After a year and a half doing that, I was hired as the manufacturing assistant in Juevenile production. Until the Global Supply Chain group was created 4 years ago, I held various positions in the juvenile production department learning every aspect of book production, manufacturing and inventory analysis.
What was one thing you did today (or this week) that was part of your job that might surprise people?
We are doing a rush reprint of THE CHRONICLES OF HARRIS BURDICK at a new vendor. I had to travel to Ohio to do a press check to make sure the domestic edition matched the original Asian version, taking into account different print processes and paper stock between the two plants.
What’s your approach to office/cubicle decoration?
Currently I am staring at a box of bandages that look like bacon strips and an interracial couple of Weebles. Oh, and a plastic nun who spits sparks in a cage. And a biography of the band Kiss. And a chicken that poops gum. And artwork from children of colleagues.
If you could choose a mandatory HMH book that all employees must read, what would it be and why?
KIPLING’S CHOICE by Spillebeen. I think this should be mandatory reading for all 13 year old boys. With a couple of wars this past decade, this account of WWI, although fictionalized, was very moving and should give gung ho boys a reason to pause.
What are your top three book web sites – either author sites, book news, reviews, or whatever?
I read Entertainment Weekly and the Daily Beast everyday. I’m old, so I read PW Magazine when it crosses my desk, but not the online version.
What’s your go-to gift book?
I had 3: anything Tolkein, anything Curious George, and THE TREASURY OF CHILDREN’S LITERATURE by Eisen. Although this year it’ll be THE FAMILY STORYBOOK TREASURY or CHRONICLES OF HARRIS BURDICK. Certain friends do get the LONELY DOLL by Dare Wright on special occasions.
What’s the one book you’ve never read that you’ve always meant to, or felt that you should?
THE LITTLE PRINCE. Been reprinting various versions like mad since the Harcourt merge, yet still can’t convince myself to open the book. Not even being read at Michael Jackson’s funeral was enough to make me look beyond the cover.
What movie adaptation of a book has really done the story justice and why?
When I was a young teen I was obsessed with the movie THE TIN DRUM (Gunter Grass). My family was weird that way. I still haven’t read the book, nor have I seen the movie in 20 years, but when I realized we would be printing that book as an adult, I was elated. Now I can’t wait for the Hunger Games movies.
Write a haiku about HMH. (5 syllables, 7 syllables, 5 syllables)
REPACKAGE THE PEETS!
NO ONE EVER LEAVES THIS PLACE
DON’T FEAR THE E BOOK
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Read an excerpt of BEYOND RELGION →
huffingtonpost.com
You know, it’s that new book by (ahem) His Holiness the Dalai Lama. No big deal.
“Even more important than the warmth and affection we receive, is the warmth and affection we give. It is by giving warmth and affection, by having a genuine sense of concern for others, in other words through compassion, that we gain the conditions for genuine happiness. More important than being loved, therefore, is to love.”
—His Holiness the Dalai Lama, from BEYOND RELIGION: Ethics for a Whole World
Lou Beach on NPR's Weekend Edition →
npr.org
Illustrator Lou Beach shares how, bored with Facebook status updates, he rewrote the game. And wrote 420 CHARACTERS.
Play
November 2011
32 posts
“This is probably the sincerest, most biased account of ‘Best” your Decider can give: these peices are models— not templates, but models— of ways I wish I could think and live in what seems to me this world.”
—David Foster Wallace in his Introduction to the 2007 edition of The Best American Essays, for which he was Editor, or as he called it, “Decider.” (via booksijustread)
The trades had lovely things to say about A TEAM FOR AMERICA:
“The history of the West Point football program is an engrossing tale full of 20th century icons.” —Publishers Weekly
“Supplementing the extensive newspaper accounts of the game with a decade’s worth of personal interviews, veteran biographer Roberts brings to life not only the game itself but also its context, supplying capsule histories of the service academies and their performances on the gridiron. Most important, he places the game firmly in its moment of wartime history, for without the war, this watershed event would have had little meaning beyond the field on which it was played.” —Kirkus
Learn more on Facebook and at hmhbooks.com!
Meet Us Monday: Lisa White
This week, meet editor to the birds, Lisa White .
What do you do here at HMH?
I acquire and edit titles in the Peterson Field Guide and Kaufman Field Guide series as well as other general nature books. We’ve started doing field guide apps, so I’ve learned a lot about that area recently, too.
What was your first job in publishing and how has it evolved to what you do today?
My first job in publishing was here at Houghton, in what was then called the School Division, in 1991. (I had been a high school teacher for a couple of years before that, so it was a logical progression.) It was a contract position, and when that ended in 1992, I applied for a newly created position as assistant editor working on field guides and gardening books. I love nature and I love the books I work on, so it was a good fit for me, and I’ve been working on guidebooks ever since.
What was one thing you did today (or this week) that was part of your job that might surprise people?
I played Ping-Pong with some of my authors. (This would fall into the Author Relations catgeory, right?) I spent most of last week at a birding festival in south Texas. A lot of networking happens after the birding!
What’s your approach to office/cubicle decoration?
My walls mostly have bird art that people have given me. My office is not messy, and I prefer the adage “A place for everything and everything in its place” rather than “A neat desk is the sign of an empty mind,” thank you very much.
If you could choose a mandatory HMH book that all employees must read, what would it be and why?
I’d make everyone cook from A Year in a Vegetarian Kitchen. I know, it’s not a reading book, but every recipe I’ve ever made from it has been delicious, and if it converts even one person to vegetarianism, my evil plan will be working.
What are your top three book web sites – either author sites, book news, reviews, or whatever?
I use Amazon as a resource many times each day. I remember when we had only Books In Print! In my subject area, the Well-read Naturalist has smart, in-depth book reviews. For personal reading, I use Goodreads a bit for recommendations from friends.
What’s your go-to gift book?
I don’t have a one-size-fits-all gift book.
What’s the one book you’ve never read that you’ve always meant to, or felt that you should?
I somehow haven’t gotten to any Thomas Pynchon, and he seems like a should.
What movie adaptation of a book has really done the story justice and why?
When birders first heard that a movie was being made from the book The Big Year by Mark Obmascik starring Steve Martin, Jack Black, and Owen Wilson, there was collective anxiety. That cast could easily have portrayed birders as dorky goofballs. (The anxiety was not unfounded; there are some dorky birders, though most of them are just plain intense about their passion for birds.) Although the movie bombed at the box office—it wasn’t as funny as you would expect from those three actors—the subject was treated with respect, and it was a sweet story.
Write a haiku about HMH. (5 syllables, 7 syllables, 5 syllables)
Small boy on dolphin
Telling the world what to read
Hold on tightly, please!
Meet Us Monday: Michelle Vu
Today’s “Meet Us Monday” comes from C-3PO. I mean, Michelle Vu, Director, Business Operations.
What do you do here at HMH?
I support business applications, build reports and launchpads, work with software vendors and internal developers for application enhancements, liaison between the Trade division and Corporate IT on system enhancements, and create workflow and business processes that hopefully make some of your lives a little bit easier. This is all a lot more fun than it sounds.
What was your first job in publishing and how has it evolved to what you do today?
My first job in publishing was in the Harcourt Distribution Center in Lewisville, Texas. I was their Systems Administrator working in a 50 degree climate controlled data center in a parka, beanie and fingerless gloves. I supported and managed servers, networking equipment, mainframe, shipping label printers (those things are gigantic), phone system, dummy terminals, scanners and conveyor systems. This job helped me understand the shipping/warehousing part of publishing and to be able to intelligently speak with our Corporate IT on technical initiatives.
What was one thing you did today (or this week) that was part of your job that might surprise people?
I spent 15 minutes taking photos of C3PO posed in various office action shots. He’s very photogenic so it was difficult to select the best one.
What’s your approach to office/cubicle decoration?
There are a variety of gifts I’ve received from people in the past: a can of Vienna Sausages, a Krispy Kreme paper hat, a metal racing car, a picture of Dirk Nowitski.
If you could choose a mandatory HMH book that all employees must read, what would it be and why?
Jerusalem, Jerusalem by James Carroll. I wouldn’t consider it a mandatory read, just a very good read.
What’s your go-to gift book?
Around My French Table is my favorite gift book. It’s bold, sexy and really heavy. You want to slam it down on the table and scream “here’s your gift!”
What’s the one book you’ve never read that you’ve always meant to, or felt that you should?
Nietzsche’s Human, All Too Human. I proudly purchased it my first year in college and I never got past the second page. It’s a difficult read and very easy to put down.
What movie adaptation of a book has really done the story justice and why?
The 1971 Gene Wilder version of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory with all the wonderful colors, textures, tastes and smells! Shiny chocolate waterfalls, edible daffodil teacups, a 3-course dinner gum, everlasting gobstoppers, fizzy lifting drink! Rainbow drops. Suck them and you can spit in seven different colors! This movie made me a plump little kid.
Write a haiku about HMH. (5 syllables, 7 syllables, 5 syllables)
meeting in progress
when it is over, doors open
delicious free food
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An Interview with Bruce Machart →
word.emerson.edu
Look for Bruce’s new story collection, Men in the Making!
If I were building an anthology of my favorite stories, Bruce Machart’s “What You’re Walking Around Without” would certainly be included. It’s the kind of story that sticks with you for days…
Innovators in Lit #14: Jenna Johnson →
word.emerson.edu
Our very own Jenna Johnson gets interviewed by Ploughshares! She has amazing taste, knows a little something about buzz, and recognizes the importance of a good mentor. Read on.
Jenna Johnson is Senior Editor for HMH hardcovers and Editorial Manager for Mariner paperbacks. Among her books are We the Animals, Pigeon English, The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox, …
Meet Us Monday: Ashley Gilliam
Today’s “Meet Us Monday” comes from Ashley Gilliam, editorial assistant by day, dictionary model by night.
What do you do here at HMH?
I’m an editorial assistant in Trade and Reference, assisting editors Susan Canavan and Amanda Cook.
What was your first job in publishing and how has it evolved to what you do today?
As an undergrad, I was the managing editor for a literary review. I had the best job on campus, charging through submissions and discussing the good, the bad, and the ugly with a panel of readers. After that, it was an easy leap to the publishing program at Emerson College, and from there I felicitously found my way to HMH.
What was one thing you did today (or this week) that was part of your job that might surprise people?
I recently scoured the Internet for a just-so photograph of the Whispering Gallery in front of the Oyster Bar in Grand Central Station. Lending authors a hand with image research can be surprisingly fascinating, and occasionally very useful for pub trivia.
What’s your approach to office/cubicle decoration?
Some pops of color and a few bright prints are always a good idea. I have a Bats at the Library poster that is a favorite. And the more file organizers, the better.
If you could choose a mandatory HMH book that all employees must read, what would it be and why?
The Storytelling Animal comes out in April and it’s a great look at how story is a part of what makes us tick – particularly for those in the storytelling business!
What are your top three book web sites – either author sites, book news, reviews, or whatever?
GalleyCat, DailyLit, and JasperFforde.com (incidentally, the Thursday Next series is brilliant)
What’s your go-to gift book?
Currently, the American Heritage Dictionary, Fifth Edition. I make an appearance at “shrug” (clothing, not gesture, though I can shrug with the best of them), so this is a popular title with friends and family, and I’m seizing the opportunity to get them into an excellent dictionary. Anyone I know who graduates in the next several years can look forward to this one too.
What’s the one book you’ve never read that you’ve always meant to, or felt that you should?
Moby Dick, but I’ve just picked it up again, and I think I’m going to make it! I’m almost certain I’m going to make it. At least, it’s a solid possibility. I could finish this time. Really.
What movie adaptation of a book has really done the story justice and why?
One Flew Over the Cukoo’s Nest. The film is as satisfyingly heartbreaking as the book.
Write a haiku about HMH. (5 syllables, 7 syllables, 5 syllables)
My PC, she beeps!
It’s the sound of PSS,
Logging off for sleep.
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“
I feel I have been a lot of different people. Many people have sat at this typewriter, using my fingers. Writing my books.
My books are forgeries. Nobody wrote them. The goddam typewriter wrote them; it’s a magic typewriter. Or like John Denver gets his songs: I get them from the air. Like his songs, they - my books - are already there. Whatever that means.
” —Philip K. Dick, from The Exegesis of Philip K. Dick, edited by Jonathan Lethem and Pamela Jackson
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Meet Us Monday: Steve Kleinedler
Today’s “Meet Us Monday” comes from Steve Kleinedler, Executive Editor in the Reference Group. Which means right now he’s all about our brand new American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition, something we’re very excited about over here. And here and here.
What do you do here at HMH?
Executive Editor, Reference Group, Trade Division
What was your first job in publishing and how has it evolved to what you do today?
In 1989, I was hired as a freelancer to work on a grammar dictionary for National Textbook Company. The database was very rudimentary, but it was nonetheless a database. In twenty years, I’ve worked my way up the dictionary ladder from the bottom rung.
What was one thing you did today (or this week) that was part of your job that might surprise people?
I biked a mile-and-a-half through downtown Philadelphia to get to an NPR studio so I could do an interview with an NPR station in Kansas City.
What’s your approach to office/cubicle decoration?
Pretty sparing. I have papers and books strewn all over. Nothing on the walls. When I was in the Boston office I had a corkboard which I liked.
If you could choose a mandatory HMH book that all employees must read, what would it be and why?
The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, fifth edition. It would be educational.
What are your top three book web sites – either author sites, book news, reviews, or whatever?
I don’t really visit book websites. I don’t read reviews of books, plays – they give too much away and I like to approach the work without preconceived notions.
What’s your go-to gift book?
The only books I give as gifts are to young adults or children. The last one I gave was Cory Doctorow’s Little Brother to my nephew. I don’t have a go-to book.
What’s the one book you’ve never read that you’ve always meant to, or felt that you should?
Hemingway’s The Sun Also Rises.
What movie adaptation of a book has really done the story justice and why?
I can’t think of a single one. I don’t see a lot of movies, and ones based on books usually leave me underwhelmed. The Name of the Rose might be the worst adaptation ever. It angered me.
Write a haiku about HMH. (5 syllables, 7 syllables, 5 syllables)
The winter garden
Is cold and uninviting
Were that it not so
October 2011
38 posts
Today’s “Meet Us Monday” comes from Curious George himself! Or just senior children’s designer Cara Llewellyn, who spends her free time dressed as a monkey…
What do you do here at HMH?
I am the senior designer in the children’s department and I work with the design team and illustrators, authors, editors to create picture books and YA novels. We make the authors and illustrators look good, and we make the books look like books. Really cool books.
What was your first job in publishing and how has it evolved to what you do today?
I illustrated a book of radio essays in highschool for a friend of mine who writes for NPR. It was my first foray into printed illustration and layout and I fell in love with it. I believe there was an illustration of a kung fu groundhog.
When I first started at Houghton I filled the position of children’s design intern and I think someone once called me “scannerella” …which was a pretty good description of interndom here at the time. I still love scanning things.
What was one thing you did today (or this week) that was part of your job that might surprise people?
I seem to have become the official Curious George on campus. I dress up in the costume and make public appearances when needed. It is a blast and a half and also quite the amazing workout. Thinking of making a series of CG jazzercise videos.
What’s your approach to office/cubicle decoration?
http://thingsorganizedneatly.tumblr.com/
If you could choose a mandatory HMH book that all employees must read, what would it be and why?
Two Bad Ants… it’s a cautionary tale.
What are your top three book web sites – either author sites, book news, reviews, or whatever?
Carson Ellis’ blog is awesome for illustration-y things: http://www.carsonellis.com/blog/
And also John Gall’s for book design: http://johngall.blogspot.com/
Plus you can never go wrong with http://www.newyorker.com/
What’s your go-to gift book?
Definitely The Quiet Book. So many good quiets to share.
What’s the one book you’ve never read that you’ve always meant to, or felt that you should?
I’m trying to find a non-movie-tie-in copy of Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close so that I can read it before the movie comes out. I have to read everything before the movie comes out. Oh good segway:
What movie adaptation of a book has really done the story justice and why?
Fight Club. But I can’t talk about it.
Write a haiku about HMH. (5 syllables, 7 syllables, 5 syllables)
Walk to the printer
Darnit it’s broken again
But oh look free treats!
