by Scott Albright
Daily Lobo
The UNM Press opened its new building Friday with a ceremonial ribbon cutting done by its director, Luther Wilson.
"The main advantage of the new building is its efficiency," Wilson said. "It was designed for our needs and purposes."
Wilson said the new building cost $5.4 million.
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The building, near CNM at 1312 Basehart Road, has 50 percent more warehouse space and 40 percent more office space, he said. Wilson said the press previously used two buildings, which made communication and efficiency difficult.
"The University press' primary mission for existence is as a scholarly publisher," Wilson said.
The press was founded in 1929 and publishes books on the culture and history of New Mexico and the West, American Indians, anthropology, archaeology, art and photography.
It also publishes books on Chicano and Latin American studies and recently started a children science series, said Sonia Dickey, editorial intern and assistant editor.
"There's a real need for science in public schools," Dickey said.
Dickey likes working at UNM Press because of the chances to meet new people, she said.
Several authors attended Friday's event, including Rudolfo Anaya, who is published by the UNM Press.
Anaya had advice for aspiring writers.
"Visit the library. Read a lot," he said. "Write poems for young, beautiful girls."
Anaya said writers lose control of their work because characters will take over and demand their stories be told.
"There's kind of an inherent madness in what we do," Anaya said. "The best thing a writer can do is to channel the madness. When you're sitting at a computer and the juices begin to flow, the juices are creative energy."
Stewart Marshall, customer relations supervisor, said the UNM Press is special because of the students who work there.
"It's good because students are bright and well-motivated," Marshall said.
He said an important aspect to marketing books is author signings and events.
"Author events sell novels," he said. "It makes a huge difference in the overall sales."
Wilson said UNM Press made more than $5 million in overall sales for the 2005-2006 fiscal year.
UNM Press is the biggest publisher in New Mexico and one of the biggest in the West, Wilson said.
"The press is one of the great cultural resources of the state," he said.
