Rachel Slaiman is currently a freelance and blog writer for LatinTRENDS Magazine, with an M.S. in Publishing from Pace University. She writes about events that she attends around the city and articles that are geared toward the Latino community. Her two passions are reading and writing.
How did you become involved with WNBA-NYC?
I became involved with WNBA-NYC in June 2010 through Pace University, where there was a meet and greet about the organization. I knew that being part of a professional organization was important to advancing my career in publishing. What I enjoy most about the organization are the events and being able to network with others through them.
How did you get into freelance writing? Is this where you always thought you’d end up career-wise?
I got into freelance writing about two years ago with LatinTRENDS Magazine. I wanted to be more involved with the magazine. When I finally moved to New York/New Jersey area, the editor wanted us to blog. Knowing that I had never blogged before, I pitched the idea to my editor, asking her if I was allowed to blog about attending events around the city. She was hooked, and since then I have been doing that. On top of blogging about events, I still continue to write articles and book reviews.
I never thought that freelancing would be so prominent in my career. I had always believed that you needed to have a “specialty” so-to-speak and real work experience. No one ever knows what the future holds, but one thing is certain, I always said that I wanted to be published in a print magazine and I was able to do that through a non-traditional route.
Has your perspective of the publishing industry changed since working as a writer?
Being a writer takes patience and dedication. It is one of those careers that either “you love it, or you hate it”. I can’t honestly say if my perspective has changed or not since I am still new in the industry, but I am enjoying the process so far and there is still more to come.
As someone who’s completed a post-graduate program in publishing, what advice can you give others that want to do the same?
The advice I would give others is that if you want to be in the industry then really go for it. I gained interest in this career after taking an introductory course to book publishing my last semester of college. Looking back now, I am doing what I love to do, based on what I have talent for and not going for something that just makes money or is the “it” career. I went for passion, not what everyone else was doing.
What’s your favorite word?
I have never been asked this question before, but if I had to say, it is determination. Determination is one of those words you can use as a motivator, as a quality and a definition to live by.
What are you currently reading?
I am currently reading The One-Way Bridge by Cathie Pelletier. Several others are sitting on book shelf.
