Today we continue our blog series on IUP retirees with a feature on Kate Caras, Director of Electronic and Serials Publishing. Kate began working here in the '80s, and when I was going through our archives, I discovered the most amazing photo of her hair during that decade. However, she would come out of her retirement to get back at me for publicly posting that photo, so you'll just have to imagine how awesome it is. (The only reason why I feel I can even mention the photo now is because I'm in New York at Book Expo America, safely away from potential retribution.)
In all seriousness, the legacy Kate leaves behind is not her '80s hair, but being the founding member of our journals department. She started out with three journals and grew to producing 27, making journals an integral part of our publishing program. We thank her for her important contributions to IUP and hope she enjoys her well-deserved retirement!
When did you start working for IUP?
I started working at the Press in October 1987.
Tell us about your position(s) at the Press.
I was hired by IUP director John Gallman as the journals manager, but the impetus to start a journals department came from IUP editors Janet Rabinowitch and Joan Catapano. We used the revenue generated by publishing Bob Hammel's book Beyond the Brink with Indiana. We started with three journals (Hypatia, Discourse, and Differences), and I worked alone for three years, after which we started to add part-time positions. I was named Director of Electronic and Serials Publishing in 2000 by Peter-John Leone, then director of IUP. He wanted to digitize our books so we could distribute them online, and, since we were already doing that for our journals, I volunteered.
What has been the most rewarding part of your job?
When I finished my PhD (English, IU, 1984), I knew I didn't want to teach, but that I did want to stay actively involved with scholarship. A career in scholarly publishing was the answer, the job at the Press came open, and the rest, as they say, is history.
What is your favorite memory of IUP?
There are a lot of good memories in 26 years, but I think those that I will cherish the most will revolve around the friends I've made at the Press. It's people that make an organization and many good ones spent time at 601 North Morton Street.
What piece of advice do you want to leave for everyone at IUP?
To quote Joseph Campbell, "Follow your bliss," and an important part of that bliss should be the job you do.
What is the first thing you want to do as a retiree?
To answer in the negate, not have to go to work on Monday morning!
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