Milkweed Editions
Mary Austin Speaker has a diverse work experience in the publishing industry. Mary Austin started their career as an Editorial Assistant at Vernon Press, where they worked closely with authors and editors in producing art books. Mary Austin then joined HarperCollins as a Designer, where they focused on designing b/w and 4/c books for various imprints. Mary later became a Senior Designer at Simon & Schuster, working on projects such as cookbooks, exercise books, and books illustrated by renowned artists.
In 2006, Mary co-founded Triptych Readings, an organization that curated monthly poetry readings in New York City, featuring both emerging and established writers. Mary Austin also worked as a Poetry Editor at Indiana Review and taught as an Associate Instructor at Indiana University.
Moving forward, Mary became a Design Manager at HarperCollins Publishers, managing the interior design of trade books and overseeing a team of designers and freelancers. Mary Austin then transitioned to a role as a Professor at Kirkwood Community College for a year, before pursuing freelance work as a Writer & Designer. In this capacity, Mary specialized in poetry, book reviews, and essays, and also offered manuscript consultation and editing services.
Most recently, Mary Austin Speaker has been working at Milkweed Editions. Mary Austin initially joined as an Art Director, overseeing the design and production of all titles. Currently, they hold the position of Creative Director, where they manage all design work for books and outward-facing communication. Additionally, they spearhead Milkweed's Fellowship program and connects with creatives passionate about bringing sustainability and meaningful change to the publishing industry.
Mary Austin Speaker has a diverse education history. Mary Austin began their studies at Emerson College from 1996 to 1999, where they earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree in Writing, Literature & Publishing. Subsequently, Mary attended Indiana University Bloomington from 2003 to 2006, where they pursued a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degree in Creative Writing. Additionally, they have had some association with Charles University, although specific details regarding their enrollment, degree, and field of study at this institution are not provided.
Milkweed Editions
Just as the common milkweed plant is the site of metamorphosis for monarch butterflies, Milkweed Editions seeks to be a site of metamorphosis in the literary ecosystem. We take risks on debut and experimental writers, we invest significant time and care in the editorial process, and we enable dynamic engagement between authors and readers. We operate as a nonprofit to pursue these ends without overbearing financial pressure. And yet, though profits aren’t our primary focus, helping our authors succeed certainly is. Just so, since our founding in 1980, we’ve published over 350 books of literary fiction, nonfiction, and poetry and now have over four million copies in circulation. We believe that literature has the potential to change the way we see the world, and that bringing new voices to essential conversations is the clearest path to ensuring a vibrant, diverse, and empowered future. Milkweed Editions is an independent publisher of literary fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. Our mission is to identify, nurture, and publish transformative literature, and build an engaged community around it. As a 501(c)3 nonprofit, our work is made possible by the generosity of sustaining funders and readers. Join our community of sustaining members today: milkweed.org/membership.