Matthew Somoroff
@matthewsomoroff.bsky.social
project editor at UNC Press; music studies PhD; lifetime jazzhead; Queens (NY) native, Durham (NC) resident
Pinned
🚨author alterations in proofs🚨
should I write a thread about why this is a no-no?
should I write a thread about why this is a no-no?
in case it’s helpful, I wrote a little thread about why an author should make only *necessary* corrections to page proof
Reposted by Matthew Somoroff
Publishing job:
We are looking for an acquisitions coordinator at @oupress.bsky.social to support our acquisitions editors and authors!
It's a good entry point for a career in book publishing.
The position is on-site in Norman.
Questions? andrewb@ou.edu
Apply here:
ou.taleo.net/careersectio...
We are looking for an acquisitions coordinator at @oupress.bsky.social to support our acquisitions editors and authors!
It's a good entry point for a career in book publishing.
The position is on-site in Norman.
Questions? andrewb@ou.edu
Apply here:
ou.taleo.net/careersectio...
Acquisitions Coordinator
Click the link provided to see the complete job description.
ou.taleo.net
February 10, 2026 at 3:18 PM
Publishing job:
We are looking for an acquisitions coordinator at @oupress.bsky.social to support our acquisitions editors and authors!
It's a good entry point for a career in book publishing.
The position is on-site in Norman.
Questions? andrewb@ou.edu
Apply here:
ou.taleo.net/careersectio...
We are looking for an acquisitions coordinator at @oupress.bsky.social to support our acquisitions editors and authors!
It's a good entry point for a career in book publishing.
The position is on-site in Norman.
Questions? andrewb@ou.edu
Apply here:
ou.taleo.net/careersectio...
I should phrase this more clearly: does anyone have favorite arguments—that appear in published writing guides—on why endnotes should NOT contain substantive discussion, including digressions and side conversations?
anyone have favorite arguments in favor of *not* putting substantive, discursive material in endnotes? ie, just dealing with citation and documentation matters in the notes?
a counter-example, e.g., would be Eric Hayot's discussion of the multiple things notes can achieve [cont]
a counter-example, e.g., would be Eric Hayot's discussion of the multiple things notes can achieve [cont]
February 9, 2026 at 3:39 PM
I should phrase this more clearly: does anyone have favorite arguments—that appear in published writing guides—on why endnotes should NOT contain substantive discussion, including digressions and side conversations?
Reposted by Matthew Somoroff
With all the pieces coming out about the big game's halftime show, it seems like a good day to spend some time with the #BadBunnySyllabus: www.badbunnysyllabus.com/home.
February 9, 2026 at 3:10 PM
With all the pieces coming out about the big game's halftime show, it seems like a good day to spend some time with the #BadBunnySyllabus: www.badbunnysyllabus.com/home.
interesting to be mulling over details of nonfiction writing style while the second-biggest newspaper in the US gets dismantled in plain sight
February 7, 2026 at 11:53 PM
interesting to be mulling over details of nonfiction writing style while the second-biggest newspaper in the US gets dismantled in plain sight
anyone have favorite arguments in favor of *not* putting substantive, discursive material in endnotes? ie, just dealing with citation and documentation matters in the notes?
a counter-example, e.g., would be Eric Hayot's discussion of the multiple things notes can achieve [cont]
a counter-example, e.g., would be Eric Hayot's discussion of the multiple things notes can achieve [cont]
February 7, 2026 at 9:03 PM
anyone have favorite arguments in favor of *not* putting substantive, discursive material in endnotes? ie, just dealing with citation and documentation matters in the notes?
a counter-example, e.g., would be Eric Hayot's discussion of the multiple things notes can achieve [cont]
a counter-example, e.g., would be Eric Hayot's discussion of the multiple things notes can achieve [cont]
Reposted by Matthew Somoroff
wonderful @libraryjournal.bsky.social review of AUGUST WILSON'S AMERICAN CENTURY:
"...offers a fascinating look at one of the greatest U.S. playwrights and his roots in Pittsburgh’s Hill District...More than a biography, this is a story about how art, history, and community intersect."
"...offers a fascinating look at one of the greatest U.S. playwrights and his roots in Pittsburgh’s Hill District...More than a biography, this is a story about how art, history, and community intersect."
August Wilson’s American Century: Life as Art
www.libraryjournal.com
February 6, 2026 at 8:14 PM
wonderful @libraryjournal.bsky.social review of AUGUST WILSON'S AMERICAN CENTURY:
"...offers a fascinating look at one of the greatest U.S. playwrights and his roots in Pittsburgh’s Hill District...More than a biography, this is a story about how art, history, and community intersect."
"...offers a fascinating look at one of the greatest U.S. playwrights and his roots in Pittsburgh’s Hill District...More than a biography, this is a story about how art, history, and community intersect."
Reposted by Matthew Somoroff
Calling all tech wizards 📢 We're looking for an IT Infrastructure Manager to lead the technology operations at UNC Press and @longleafserv.bsky.social 💻
Learn more about the job and apply 👇
uncpress.org/now-hiring-i...
Learn more about the job and apply 👇
uncpress.org/now-hiring-i...
Now Hiring: IT & Infrastructure Manager
We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced IT & Infrastructure Manager to lead our organization's technology operations. The IT Manager is
uncpress.org
February 6, 2026 at 8:09 PM
Calling all tech wizards 📢 We're looking for an IT Infrastructure Manager to lead the technology operations at UNC Press and @longleafserv.bsky.social 💻
Learn more about the job and apply 👇
uncpress.org/now-hiring-i...
Learn more about the job and apply 👇
uncpress.org/now-hiring-i...
Reposted by Matthew Somoroff
For Minneapolis folks, Rashad Shabazz will be at Magers and Quinn on February 24 to present his new book Prince's Minneapolis: A Biography of Sound and Place. This is very cool work, in my view.
February 3, 2026 at 12:46 AM
For Minneapolis folks, Rashad Shabazz will be at Magers and Quinn on February 24 to present his new book Prince's Minneapolis: A Biography of Sound and Place. This is very cool work, in my view.
Reposted by Matthew Somoroff
@publisherswkly.bsky.social on @drshabazz.bsky.social’s PRINCE’S MINNEAPOLIS (@uncpress.bsky.social) as a book that celebrates Black history: “Shabazz analyzes Prince’s life, career, and discography, showing how it was intrinsically shaped by Minneapolis, and shaped Minneapolis in turn.”
10 Books that Celebrate Black History
Among the new books hitting the shelves for Black History Month are two novels about the legacy of Black American soldiers in WWII, works of history that trace the fight for freedom and justice, and b...
www.publishersweekly.com
February 6, 2026 at 10:42 AM
@publisherswkly.bsky.social on @drshabazz.bsky.social’s PRINCE’S MINNEAPOLIS (@uncpress.bsky.social) as a book that celebrates Black history: “Shabazz analyzes Prince’s life, career, and discography, showing how it was intrinsically shaped by Minneapolis, and shaped Minneapolis in turn.”
Reposted by Matthew Somoroff
And yet Bookshop just partnered with Spotify, a company that aided in ICE recruitment by running ads, whose founder invested heavily in AI-powered weapons, and which pays artists literal pennies for their music.
www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/...
www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/...
While independent bookstores are giving out free whistles, hosting protest sign making events, and donating proceeds to mutual aid, Amazon is *checks notes* providing technology that assists ICE in their terrorizing of communities.
Independent bookstores deserve your support. Amazon does not.
Independent bookstores deserve your support. Amazon does not.
February 5, 2026 at 5:13 PM
And yet Bookshop just partnered with Spotify, a company that aided in ICE recruitment by running ads, whose founder invested heavily in AI-powered weapons, and which pays artists literal pennies for their music.
www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/...
www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/...
Reposted by Matthew Somoroff
As book coverage takes another devastating hit, I’m reminded how lucky we are to have Sarah and @indyweek.bsky.social championing stories that matter. Grateful for Sarah's care and vision and speed with this excerpt!
Hope everyone clicks and reads and shares.
Hope everyone clicks and reads and shares.
Up now on @indyweek.bsky.social, an excerpt from this essential new @uncpress.bsky.social release. It tells the story of Wyatt Outlaw - a voting rights crusader and Graham’s first Black elected official. He was lynched in 1870. There are no public markers for his life yet, but now there’s a book.
Welcome to Alamance County, North Carolina
An excerpt from "The Legend of Wyatt Outlaw: From Reconstruction through Black Lives Matter" by Sylvester Allen Jr. and Belle Boggs.
indyweek.com
February 4, 2026 at 5:50 PM
As book coverage takes another devastating hit, I’m reminded how lucky we are to have Sarah and @indyweek.bsky.social championing stories that matter. Grateful for Sarah's care and vision and speed with this excerpt!
Hope everyone clicks and reads and shares.
Hope everyone clicks and reads and shares.
mutually reinforcing iterative quality control processes
February 3, 2026 at 10:03 PM
mutually reinforcing iterative quality control processes
there cannot be any more snow storms this winter. this kid needs to be in school, busying his mind with something other than a plot to install Linux when he has not written a single line of code
me: *trying to remember everything I need to mention in an email to a coworker*
12yo: “do you have a USB stick I could use as a recovery disk while I’m trying to get Linux to run on my Chromebook?”
note: there’s no evidence he would know what to do with Linux if he installed it.
12yo: “do you have a USB stick I could use as a recovery disk while I’m trying to get Linux to run on my Chromebook?”
note: there’s no evidence he would know what to do with Linux if he installed it.
February 3, 2026 at 9:35 PM
there cannot be any more snow storms this winter. this kid needs to be in school, busying his mind with something other than a plot to install Linux when he has not written a single line of code
me: *trying to remember everything I need to mention in an email to a coworker*
12yo: “do you have a USB stick I could use as a recovery disk while I’m trying to get Linux to run on my Chromebook?”
note: there’s no evidence he would know what to do with Linux if he installed it.
12yo: “do you have a USB stick I could use as a recovery disk while I’m trying to get Linux to run on my Chromebook?”
note: there’s no evidence he would know what to do with Linux if he installed it.
February 3, 2026 at 9:12 PM
me: *trying to remember everything I need to mention in an email to a coworker*
12yo: “do you have a USB stick I could use as a recovery disk while I’m trying to get Linux to run on my Chromebook?”
note: there’s no evidence he would know what to do with Linux if he installed it.
12yo: “do you have a USB stick I could use as a recovery disk while I’m trying to get Linux to run on my Chromebook?”
note: there’s no evidence he would know what to do with Linux if he installed it.
<sincere question> do you ever use the exclamation point label on an email? and if so, please give an example of a situation that merited it
January 29, 2026 at 9:41 PM
<sincere question> do you ever use the exclamation point label on an email? and if so, please give an example of a situation that merited it
Reposted by Matthew Somoroff
We just finished our FA26 launch meetings, and WOW—there are some amazing books on the horizon for y'all. Stay tuned!
January 29, 2026 at 1:38 PM
We just finished our FA26 launch meetings, and WOW—there are some amazing books on the horizon for y'all. Stay tuned!
Reposted by Matthew Somoroff
What a review!!
I usually review books on my bookstagram basicbookstagrammer, but will post this one here, too!
a comprehensive & definitive history of how policing Black bodies shaped American law & society from colonial America through the twentieth century. (1/5)
uncpress.org/978146969484...
a comprehensive & definitive history of how policing Black bodies shaped American law & society from colonial America through the twentieth century. (1/5)
uncpress.org/978146969484...
White Power
Beginning in the colonial era and growing through the American Revolution and the Southern plantation system, slaveholders’ violent police regime continued...
uncpress.org
January 28, 2026 at 3:09 PM
What a review!!
has anyone been seeing this phrasing? "[person] has overweight"
as opposed to "[person] is overweight"
as opposed to "[person] is overweight"
January 27, 2026 at 3:27 PM
has anyone been seeing this phrasing? "[person] has overweight"
as opposed to "[person] is overweight"
as opposed to "[person] is overweight"
Reposted by Matthew Somoroff
Happy New Year, PIPsters!! Our next PAGES Book Club just dropped, and we are so excited! 🥳
Join us on Thursday, February 19 at noon EST to discuss our current book, Black-Owned: The Revolutionary Life of the Black Bookstore, by Char Adams.
Register here: pupress.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
Join us on Thursday, February 19 at noon EST to discuss our current book, Black-Owned: The Revolutionary Life of the Black Bookstore, by Char Adams.
Register here: pupress.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
Welcome! You are invited to join a meeting: PAGES Book Club. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the meeting.
Welcome! You are invited to join a meeting: PAGES Book Club. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the meeting.
pupress.zoom.us
January 23, 2026 at 5:15 PM
Happy New Year, PIPsters!! Our next PAGES Book Club just dropped, and we are so excited! 🥳
Join us on Thursday, February 19 at noon EST to discuss our current book, Black-Owned: The Revolutionary Life of the Black Bookstore, by Char Adams.
Register here: pupress.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
Join us on Thursday, February 19 at noon EST to discuss our current book, Black-Owned: The Revolutionary Life of the Black Bookstore, by Char Adams.
Register here: pupress.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
*trying to coax coworkers to create accounts here and join the Bsky hang*
January 23, 2026 at 7:27 PM
*trying to coax coworkers to create accounts here and join the Bsky hang*
Reposted by Matthew Somoroff
The removal of the slavery exhibit from the President's House site might feel unprecedented, but nothing could be further from the truth. We've been fighting over slavery's place in George Washington's legacy for 250 years. I wrote about it for @time.com.
Book info here
time.com/7357382/geor...
Book info here
time.com/7357382/geor...
We’ve Never Agreed About George Washington and Slavery
Removing a slavery exhibit in Philadelphia revives a 250-year-old American debate.
time.com
January 23, 2026 at 6:00 PM
The removal of the slavery exhibit from the President's House site might feel unprecedented, but nothing could be further from the truth. We've been fighting over slavery's place in George Washington's legacy for 250 years. I wrote about it for @time.com.
Book info here
time.com/7357382/geor...
Book info here
time.com/7357382/geor...
Reposted by Matthew Somoroff
Don’t take our word for it. Take Clint Smith’s 🙂↕️
John has written an amazing book about Washington and slavery. Highly recommend having him in your show/podcast/newsletter to discuss it.
I know I don't have a ton of media followers, but I'll put this out there anyway: if you need someone to comment/offer context on the removal of the slavery exhibit at the President's House site in Philly, get in touch. I just finished an entire book on Americans' fight over Washington and slavery.
January 23, 2026 at 3:11 PM
Don’t take our word for it. Take Clint Smith’s 🙂↕️
inside you are two wolves: one, a habitual people pleaser; the other, an inveterate opinion-haver
January 22, 2026 at 4:54 PM
inside you are two wolves: one, a habitual people pleaser; the other, an inveterate opinion-haver
Reposted by Matthew Somoroff
Great post that details the MASSIVE amounts of invisible labor that goes into publishing a book.
The Myth of "My Publisher Did Nothing for My Book"
A negative publishing experience doesn't mean nothing was done for a book. Plenty was probably done, but the work is invisible.
kathleenschmidt.substack.com
January 22, 2026 at 3:13 PM
Great post that details the MASSIVE amounts of invisible labor that goes into publishing a book.
Reposted by Matthew Somoroff
There's still time to enter the Goodreads giveaway for THE LEGEND OF WYATT OUTLAW: From Reconstruction through Black Lives Matter
www.goodreads.com/giveaway/ent...
www.goodreads.com/giveaway/ent...
January 22, 2026 at 4:25 PM
There's still time to enter the Goodreads giveaway for THE LEGEND OF WYATT OUTLAW: From Reconstruction through Black Lives Matter
www.goodreads.com/giveaway/ent...
www.goodreads.com/giveaway/ent...