I suppose I should say again: long time, no see. 

I apologize for the break in content – week 3 was, let’s just say, a whirlwind. At least I can say now that I’ve made it through the Columbia Publishing Course gauntlet: book workshop week. While I am under oath to not spill any details about this week (just in case another future student gets their hands on this blog), I can say that there is a reason everyone is so secretive about book workshop week. Shaye, our program director, refused to tell us anything about the project until 25 publishing professional – and book workshop faculty – showed up on Exeter’s stoop to live, eat, and work with us for the week.

It was incredible to work alongside these people. All of them have been successful in their publishing careers, and no two people had the same roles or career trajectory. We had marketing experts, publishing directors, sales gurus, and everything in between to help guide us through the week. I had two mentors in my small group who were incredibly helpful and gave me new perspectives on many aspects of book making and publishing. And now I must shut my mouth – I feel like Shaye can sense every word I write. 

On a non-program note, I finally had the chance to adventure this weekend and cross many of my bucket list items off. Because book workshop went through our second weekend, all of us here were practically scratching at the walls of Exeter to get out and explore. Me and my friends visited the Museum of Oxford – very small but well-curated and had some awesome interactive parts- – and the Ashmolean museum – ginormous, incredible, and had humanoid skulls from something like 3 million years ago. Absolutely insane. I love museums. Oh, and did I mention that I went to prison? I even have the mugshot to prove it. (I promise it was just the Oxford prison tour… wink wink.)

We also had some great food, delicious coffee, and some yummy pastries. And don’t get me started on the Oxford Outdoor Market. I may have gotten way too many things there, but at least I can say that I got them in one of the coolest places in Europe. We took some long walks around Christ Church Meadows, saw some fluffy cows, and got to experience one of Oxford’s first crisp, fall days. 

It’s hard to believe that I’m already in my last week here. It feels surreal, especially because I feel like I’ve finally found my routine and am getting used to living and working in this place. I know I’m going to look back on all of this fondly, but right now I am trying my hardest to soak up every single minute here and squeeze everything that I can out of this medieval city. 

Cheers to the last week of the CPC and new adventures coming soon!

From Oxford, with love,

Haley