Expert Details
Cultural Accuracy & Sensitivity; Children's & Young Adult Literature; Diversity & Representation in Publishing; Library & Information Science; Editorial Consulting
ID: 739705
Arizona, USA
For much of the past decade, Expert has provided independent editorial consulting services to major trade publishers and individual authors, focusing on racial and ethnic identity representation and adoption representation in fiction and nonfiction manuscripts for readers of all ages. Expert has also served in academic teaching roles at the graduate level, instructing courses in children's and adolescent literature and youth information services, and has consulted on culturally responsive content for children's educational publishers.
Expert is a published author of three children's fiction titles and has authored numerous essays, book chapters, and a peer-reviewed, award-winning article on topics spanning racial identity, cultural representation in publishing, and library diversity work. Expert has held extensive volunteer leadership roles within national library and publishing professional associations, including committee service on national literary award panels, and has been a frequent speaker, panelist, and moderator at major publishing and library industry conferences.
Education
| Year | Degree | Subject | Institution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year: 2024 | Degree: PhD | Subject: Language, Reading and Culture | Institution: University of Arizona |
| Year: 2013 | Degree: MA | Subject: Children's Literature | Institution: Simmons University |
| Year: 2013 | Degree: MS | Subject: Library & Information Science | Institution: Simmons University |
| Year: 2010 | Degree: BA | Subject: Creative Writing | Institution: University of Arizona |
Work History
| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
|---|---|---|---|
| Years: 2021 to Present | Employer: Undisclosed | Title: Senior Editor | Department: Cultural Accuracy & Sensitivity Editorial Services |
Responsibilities:First-ever in-house senior editor of cultural accuracy and sensitivity editorial services (also known as sensitivity reading, authenticity reading, or targeted expert reading). not only does Building and managing a robust community of highly qualified cultural accuracy readers in areas including disability, gender identity, the prison industrial complex, and more. |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 2020 to 2021 | Employer: Book Riot | Title: Podcast Host and Contributing Editor | Department: |
Responsibilities:Contributing editor and co-host of podcast, can be found at all usual podcast streaming and downloading platforms. Co-host of another podcast, only available for premium Insiders subscribers. |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 2016 to 2021 | Employer: University of Arizona | Title: Graduate Teaching Associate | Department: College of Education |
Responsibilities:Taught graduate-level courses in adolescent literature and children's literature in classroom contexts. |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 2015 to 2016 | Employer: We Need Diverse Books | Title: Program Manager | Department: |
Responsibilities:Coordinate multiple initiatives at the organization; collaborate on press releases and other promotional documents; serve as first point of communication with the public; organize and manage financial, affiliate and donor accounts; other administrative duties. Led a team and contributed major design and infrastructure to Our Story, a database with entry points for professionals, parents, and young readers. |
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Career Accomplishments
| Associations / Societies |
|---|
| • Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA), a division of the American Library Association • American Library Association (ALA) |
| Licenses / Certifications |
|---|
| • Certificate in Business Fundamentals — University of British Columbia/edX (2021 – Present) • 500-Hour Comprehensive Pilates Instruction Certification (all apparatus) — Club Pilates Education (2018 – 2020) • Screenwriting Program Certificate ("Film In Focus") — College of San Mateo, CA (2015) • Rutgers English Diversity Institute Certificate — Rutgers University (2010) • Novel Writing / European Perspectives of American Literature Program — Prague Summer Program, University of Western Michigan (2010) |
| Awards / Recognition |
|---|
| • Erasmus Scholar, University of Arizona (2017–2018) • Mary F. and Maude Miller Scholarship (2016–2017) • YALSA Writing Award for Best Peer-Reviewed Paper (2014) • Massachusetts Black Librarians Network Scholarship (2012) • ALA/YALSA Spectrum Scholar (2011–2012) • Fellowship for the Advancement of Campus Engagement, Hillel (2009–2010) |
| Publications and Patents Summary |
|---|
| 3 published books, middle-grade fiction titles in established children's book series (Girls Survive series; Jake Maddox JV Boys and Girls series) 7 essays, book chapters, and peer-reviewed articles, covering topics including romance fiction and racial identity, the evolving role of the cultural accuracy reader in publishing, blogging and digital literacy, mental health representation in YA literature, whiteness and diversity work in libraries, multicultural collection development, and biracial identity representation in YA literature (this last article received a national writing award) Long-running contributing writer/critic roles across 8 literary and library-industry publications and platforms (spanning 2004–present); assorted print and web bylines in multiple literary and cultural publications |