NU press publishes books from UNL and beyond

The University of Nebraska Press publishes more than 100 books each year, along with about 60 reprints.

"Many of these books are scholarly books intended for classroom use," said Cara Pesek, University of Nebraska Press publicity manager. "But many others are trade books and are sold at mainstream book retailers like Barnes and Noble (and) Borders."
Sixty percent of the books published are scholarly nonfiction, said Heather Lundine, editor-in-chief of the University of Nebraska Press.

In addition, the Press publishes novels, creative nonfiction, sports books, journals and others.

The company's scholarly journals are often big sellers to those studying in specified areas.

However, the Press' work is not just for students and consists of a lot more than textbooks, Lundine said.

"We sell to a much broader audience than just students," Lundine said.

The University of Nebraska Press publishes authors from all over the United States and occasionally from outside the country.

"The University of Nebraska Press is especially well-known for its translations and has published two translated titles by 2008 Nobel Prize winner J. M. G. Le Clezio," Pesek said. "We're also well-known for our memoirs and for publishing literary fiction set in the Great Plains."

The UNL English department's annual literary journal, Prairie Schooner, works with the Press every year.

"It's very well-respected," Lundine said. "We publish the collected short story prize winners every year."

Even with the title University of Nebraska Press, Lundine said not a lot of students buy the books.

Some of the Press' books are in the Campus Bookstore, but really the only tie the press has with campus is when the occasional professor goes through them for publishing.

"We have a great relationship with the university in that way," Lundine said. "It just depends on the area of interest. Certain times they do, and sometimes they go elsewhere."

Lundine cited science publications as an example. Because the Press doesn't focus on science books, campus science professors have better luck elsewhere.

Lundine also explained that professors do not have a binding tie to the Press.

"Although we do love publishing them," she said, "it still has to be in keeping with our normal publishing material.

"We publish lots of other books by authors other than faculty."

The University of Nebraska Press has several internship opportunities through the University's English and history departments, as well as a program for book design.
Not many students know about Nebraska Press, Lundine said, because no one really recognizes publishers, and that's the way it should be.

"I think a lot of the time people don't know who publishes their favorite book," she said.
But Lundine said people might realize the publisher if they own a bunch of books from the company.

"They might look up at the shelf and see NE Press."

nateruleaux@dailynebraskan.com