Some time ago, University of Alberta Press Director Linda Cameron announced her plans to retire at the end of August 2017, and despite her objections to a big celebratory party, her colleagues organized a reception on May 11.
Co-workers, authors, friends and family members arrived in large numbers, and the Saskatchewan Room in the Faculty Club filled up quickly. Colourful banners of book covers stood around the room, a slideshow of photos played in the background, and copies of recent books were on display. Jerome Martin, a fellow publisher and a dear friend of UAP, played the piano for much of the afternoon, receiving many compliments.
The program was opened by Gerald Beasley, Vice-Provost & Chief Librarian, followed by a few words from Derek Truscott, UAP Author and past-Press Committee chair. Linda wrapped up the program, using this opportunity to promote the Press once again.
Excerpts from Derek’s speech capture not just how Linda conducted business, but also touch on academic publishing:
I have had the privilege and pleasure of knowing Linda for some 15 years. I had submitted a proposal to the U of A Press for my first book and a little while later received a phone call from Linda. She had a way of explaining to me that no publisher would possibly take on a book by a new author based solely on a proposal. She offered no evasive banalities or needless cruelties. In fact, Linda was so reasonable I simply got off the phone and set about to write my manuscript.
A few years later the Press published that book, and it was the beginning of a beautiful relationship that included my being invited to be a part of the Press Committee.
Many here have worked with a variety of publishers and I feel confident that you share my appraisal of the U of A Press as unique in the publishing world. Yes, the Press consistently produces beautiful books of exceptional merit, but it does so while treating all the people involved as valued individuals. I can honestly say that I have not experienced anything like it anywhere else. And Linda is responsible.
Now Linda is quick to attribute the success of the Press to the exceptional staff and authors with whom she works. And I know she means it. And I know it’s true. After all…I’m an author who works with her. However, I also know that the most robust indicator of the quality of a person is the quality of the people who gather around them.
So Linda, I might invite you to consider taking a moment to think about the people who are here today—and those who are unable to be here—and perhaps just bask a bit in what that says about you.
Now, how someone—even someone as capable as Linda—is able to direct an academic publisher so successfully for so many years is a mystery. I have come to be fascinated with endeavours that flourish over the long term—athletes, artists, programs, businesses. We have all witnessed the collapse of worthwhile undertakings due to any number of negative influences or events. And when they do their fragility is so evident, their fundamentally ephemeral nature revealed.
This is what makes Linda’s accomplishments even that much more remarkable. She has nurtured good ideas and kept them alive for a quarter of a century. This is as praiseworthy as it is exceptional. How has she done it?
And now we have the chance to ask Linda, “Why us? Why has the U of A Press thrived under your directorship?”
And I imagine Linda pausing, making sure she has our attention, and saying, “Children, there are only three simple rules to academic publishing.” We all lean in expectantly. “Unfortunately, no one has the slightest idea what they are.”
Linda, you have made a difference that will be remembered for a very long time.
– Derek Truscott
Thank you to the organizers, especially Cathie Crooks and Diane Schaub who worked on this event behind the scenes. And thank you all for coming and making this event a memorable one!
If you are in the neighbourhood of Ring House 2, please stop by and sign “The Book” for Linda, which includes the covers of all the books that UAP published under her leadership.