AMANDA & ASTER(IX)
From Summer 2021 to Summer 2023, I served as the Managing Editor of the transnational feminist literary journal Aster(ix). I returned in January 2024 as a Senior Editor to help the journal during a time of transition.
During my time with Aster(ix) (so far!), I was a critical part of producing eight print issues, organically growing our social media followers by over 1,000, and building community through digital publishing and events.
As Managing Editor, from 2021 to 2023:
I was the lead on five print issues: Winter 2021: The Fiction Issue, Fall 2022: Mothers Unearthed, Winter 2022: The Tarot Issue (I was also the Guest Editor of that issue), Spring 2023: The Best of Aster(ix): Part I, and Fall 2023: The Best of Aster(ix): Part II.
I also worked on two other issues as a Contributing Editor and/or Social Media Editor for Fall 2020: The Ferrante Project (for which I also designed the cover) and Summer 2021: Best of Hot Metal Bridge and as a contributing editor,
The role included reviewing submissions, editing pieces and working closely with authors, managing contracts and version control, supporting print layout design, managing print distribution, organizing launch events, organizing digital launch (including digital issue layout, social media, newsletters).
Managed up and down for our team of volunteer editors, writers, and readers. Created new structure for succession as well as in-depth institutional knowledge guide for future Managing Editors
Wrote and produced content on the digital journal including setting up our multi-genre in-residence feature for Winter 2021-2022, a list of Best New AAPI Authors to Read, and an interview with multimedia artist and poet Jane Wong
Organically increased the journal’s Instagram (@asterixjournal) presence on Instagram from 450 to 1,550+ through bright visuals, author and community engagement, and regular, varied posting of content. Additionally, revamped Mailchimp newsletter design and process. Created campaigns to spotlight works we nominated for competitions, create reels to generate excitement for new issues, crowdsource “book club” recommendations from followers to generate engagement, share calls for submissions, highlight a Latinx tarot art project (which I later turned into a print issue!), and more
Designed digital and print materials for Aster(ix) including our social media launches, postcards, and newsletters.
As Senior Editor, January 2024 - present
I returned to Aster(ix) to support the journal during a time of transition, working to shepherd our Spring 2024 Issue: Bending into existence, update institutional knowledge documents and internal processes, onboard and train new staff members, organize the journal's presence at the national AWP conference, and curate new editorial systems.
