Each month, we will interview one employee to get their opinions on the publishing industry, hear what it’s like to work at Technica, and learn a little bit about them. This month we are interviewing Nikki Lazenby, senior managing editor here at Technica. She is a noted hip-hop enthusiast and, when not at work, enjoys being seen at the same events as J. Cole.
How did you get started in the publishing industry and what drew you to working in the publishing industry?
Well, I’m really too young to be feeling this old, but I’ve been working at Technica for more than five years now. I got into publishing after getting my degree from the School of Journalism at UNC-Chapel Hill. I went into college knowing I wanted to do something in the publishing field because I was a nerd growing up and I love to read, and I knew it was something I could do all day every day and not get tired of. I got involved with Technica through a friend who was freelancing with them at the time. When a position opened up, I interviewed for it and got it and I’ve been happily here ever since!
What is your favorite thing about working at Technica?
When I started at Technica, it was very small, there were only five full-time employees, and we’ve grown a lot since then. I’ve really enjoyed watching it grow. I’ve had a chance to take on a larger role than I initially started with. We are given really great opportunities here to explore our personal passions and to follow what we think is interesting, and it’s grown exponentially. So we started from the bottom and now we’re here!
What have you learned about publishing since working at Technica?
What I’ve learned is that when it comes to publishing, I live for this, it isn’t just a hobby like that. I’ve also learned that publishing is an ever-evolving industry; it’s constantly changing. If you compare what publishing looked like fifteen years ago to what it looks like now, it’s completely different, so who knows what it’s going to look like in fifteen more years. You have to be really flexible and willing to learn as things change.
What do you think is a “hot topic” in publishing right now and how do you think it will shake out? What major changes do you see developing in the publishing industry in the future?
Well, time’s got a funny way of tickin’, and things are so much different than they were many years ago, but I would say one of my main concerns right now has to deal with Sci-Hub and the idea of circumventing traditional access models. Specifically how that will affect the open access movement. Additionally, it will be interesting to see if the open access trend will continue to grow or if it will ever start to decline.
What do you like doing when you aren’t at work?
I’m really all about being sweatpants, hair tied, chillin’ with no makeup on. I also enjoy spending time with my friends and family.
What’s your favorite book or the best book you have read recently?
The honest truth is the Harry Potter books because I’m a Harry Potter nerd, but I also love all kinds of fiction, including classics like Pride and Prejudice or The Great Gatsby as well as newer fiction like The Secret Life of Bees and History of Love.
If you could give one editing tip to people, what would it be?
To quote the very wise Drake, it’s not about who did it first, it’s about who did it right. So I would say take pride in your work and know that even if it feels small or menial at the time, it’s helping maintain the integrity of the publishing industry as a whole.
What advice would you give to someone trying to get a job in the publishing industry?
Use your contacts. Get to know people in the industry. People hate to hear it, but it’s definitely a lot about networking. Also, be flexible. You never know when things will change or when an opportunity will pop up and what that will look like for you. You may not start in the exact role that you dreamed of, but start where you can and then always do your best. Grow into the role and let the role help you grow as an editor.
[Slight pause]
Do you think our boss will be mad I answered everything in Drake quotes?
