Louie Cronin
Camarillo, Calif., May 6, 2016 — The author of a book published by a CSU Channel Islands (CI) class called “The Publishing House” is coming to CI to give a public reading and book signing.
Louie Cronin, former writer and producer of “Car Talk” on National Public Radio will be speaking on Wednesday, May 11 from 7:30 to 9 p.m. in Del Norte Hall Room 1500.
Cronin, who lives in Massachusetts, will be speaking about her soon-to-be-released book, “Everyone Loves You Back,” which was published and edited in part by CI students taking Professor of English Sean Carswell’s class.
Carswell says The Publishing House class, to the best of his knowledge, is a one-of-a-kind class that doesn’t exist in any college or university anywhere else in the U.S.
The class works in partnership with a not-for-profit book publisher — in this case, Gorsky Press, which publishes the book under their brand. Gorsky gave the class 61 submissions from authors and the class got to work.
“The class wades through all the submissions and picks one to publish,” Carswell said. “During that time, we also learn about the history of publishing, the book as a cultural object, and the enduring concerns that are a part of publishing, like copyright/public domain issues and issues of monopolies.”
Once the class selected the manuscript and received approval from Gorsky, they marshaled it through every stage of the publishing process, from editing to typesetting and cover design. They worked with distributors and printers to market it.
“Finally, we host a party to celebrate the work,” Carswell said.
Class member Doug Peyton said there were “several rounds of heated debate,” but the class finally settled on Cronin’s book, a coming of middle-age story about a radio engineer dealing with changes to the radio industry, gentrification, pesky neighbors and a suddenly active love life.
This is Cronin’s first novel. Cronin worked for years on Car Talk and is now working on Public Radio International’s “The World.”
“I loved the interdisciplinary approach the course took,” said Elizabeth Olson, who graduates in May with an English major. “The combination of the English-major style of reading, analyzing and research coupled with the historical, cultural and technical knowledge we took from it, made this class a valuable experience. I’m grateful I was able to catch this class my last year here and be a part of the process of discovering a fantastic new author.”
The book doesn’t officially release until October 21, but there will be advance copies available at the reading. Two students from the class will read with Cronin and give away their own self-published work.
Limited parking is available on campus with the purchase of a $6 daily permit; follow signs to the parking permit dispensers. Free parking is available at the Camarillo Metrolink Station/Lewis Road with bus service to and from the campus. Riders should board the CI Vista Bus to the campus; the cash-only fare is $1.25 each way. Buses arrive and depart from the Camarillo Metrolink Station every 30 minutes from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday. For exact times, check the schedule at www.goventura.org.
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About California State University Channel Islands
CSU Channel Islands(CI) is the only four-year, public university in Ventura County and is known for its interdisciplinary, multicultural and international perspectives, and its emphasis on experiential and service learning. CI’s strong academic programs focus on business, sciences, liberal studies, teaching credentials, and innovative master’s degrees. Students benefit from individual attention, up-to-date technology, and classroom instruction augmented by outstanding faculty research. CI has been designated by the U.S. Department of Education as a Hispanic-Serving Institution and is committed to serving students of all backgrounds from the region and beyond. Connect with and learn more by visiting CI's Social Media.