<p><i>For <a href="https://www.sps.nyu.edu/explore/degrees-and-programs/ms-in-publishing.html?utm_source=google&amp;utm_medium=cpc&amp;utm_campaign=1732_grad_branded_pwm&amp;utm_content=publishing&amp;utm_segment=g&amp;utm_term=ms%20publishing%20nyu&amp;gad_source=1&amp;gad_campaignid=22428139383&amp;gbraid=0AAAAAqbSM6G4qhxmcCxpKQfmcJrirUHjy&amp;gclid=Cj0KCQjw0Y3HBhCxARIsAN7931X6bzvxdJkdj0unkET9swOMoF7tZVpSEYbyrvfMgRwcVAliVfgxyooaAuFOEALw_wcB">MS in Publishing</a> student Luisa A. Rozo Castañeda, chasing a lifelong passion for working in publishing doesn’t mean going far from home. NYU School of Professional Studies has allowed her to pursue her dreams just a borough away.&nbsp;</i></p> <p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Born in Colombia and raised in Queens, NY, Rozo Castañeda formed a deep attachment to books early in life, as they were the easiest way for her to learn English. “Nothing else could make me feel as deeply as books did,” she shares.</p> <p>As a sixth grader, she realized that she wanted to pursue a career in publishing one day. Years of hard work and dedication led her to the NYU SPS Master’s in Publishing program, where she has since found the mentorships and essential connections needed to break into the industry.</p> <p>“As someone who grew up here, the experience of going to school hasn’t been all that different, but working and going to school at the same time is entirely different,” she reflects. “It’s a lot of pressure and can often be overwhelming, but I think NYC is simply the best place to do it.”</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>In her second semester of the program, Rozo Castañeda took an editorial internship with Wednesday Books, St. Martin’s Press, an imprint of Macmillan Publishers.</p> <p>“The main thing I learned [in the role] was how to communicate my wants and needs from a professional standpoint,” she reflects. “As a result, I was better prepared to talk with my boss about both the work I had been enjoying and the experience I still felt I was missing, [or what I] wanted the opportunity to grow in.”</p> <p>Today, she is an editorial assistant at Tor Publishing Group, Macmillan. In this role, she assists two editors with their book lists. This position allows her to work primarily on romance books in the romance imprint, Bramble, as well as various fantasy, sci-fi, literary, and suspense titles.</p> <p>“I have had the amazing opportunity to work with authors such as Sara Raasch, V.E. Schwab, Carissa Broadbent, and Alix E. Harrow on their unbelievable upcoming works,” she shares. “As I’ve gotten more experience within publishing from my work at Tor, I've come to love the creative and corporate process[es].”</p> <p>While falling in love with her work, Rozo Castañeda has also experienced the unpredictable side of publishing when working with big-name authors whose books come with “a lot of bells and whistles.” Recently, a book’s extra materials caused complications and raised questions in the publishing process, requiring her team to navigate the pressing issues without diminishing the author’s creativity.</p> <p>“Later on, when the book came out, we thought that it was 100% worth it, regardless of all the extra steps,” she reflects. “It came out amazing and people really loved it.”</p>

<p>Even working full-time, Rozo Castañeda is an active member of NYU SPS’ student organization SCRIBE— the Society of Creative Writers, Readers, Interpreters, and Book Enthusiasts— that holds several industry-inspired events. “[SCRIBE] let me meet a lot of different people currently working towards the same dreams and goals as me and create a community from the bottom up,” she says.</p> <p>She advises prospective and current students to take every opportunity offered at NYU SPS and to talk to as many people as possible.  “Even if it’s in an area you're not interested in, learning from [others] and their experience is essential,” she shares. “Publishing is very inter-connected, so having knowledge about other departments and how [various aspects of the business] affects you[r work] can make a big difference.” She also encourages incoming students to come into the program with an open mind to the various fields and specializations within the industry. </p> <p> </p>

<p>Whatever comes next, Rozo Castaneda knows that the foundation she built at NYU will support her every step of the way. <a href="https://www.sps.nyu.edu/explore/degrees-and-programs/landing-pages/masters-degrees.html?areaOfStudy=nyus%3Aarea-of-study%2Fpublishing%2C-writing-%26-media&amp;category=nyus%3Adegree-type%2Fmaster%E2%80%99s&amp;studyOption=nyus%3Astudy-options%2Fonline%2Cnyus%3Astudy-options%2Fonsite%2Cnyus%3Astudy-options%2Fhybrid#All-Areas-of-Study-24499">Pave your path in publishing</a> when you pursue a master’s at NYU SPS.</p>