Can I have my passport, please?

So today I will be heading to the county court house to apply for a new passport.  I used to have one, but since I was a few months shy of being 16 at the time, it was only good for 5 years.  So it is beyond expired.  And to top it all off, it was lost when I moved from Minnesota to Florida.

And to add a little more to the madness, I have not one, not two, but three name change documents.  AND my driver's license does not match my social security card.  So, I'm crossing all my appendages that they'll let me use the name that's on my social security card for my passport.  (Bonus: if my passport has the name I want on it, the Florida DMV HAS to let me use my passport name on my driver's license!)

I also am working on my personal statement to go along with my application to Kingston today.  Who knew it was so hard to put down in writing your dreams and aspirations, along with how you got there, for anyone to read?  I need them to know just how bad I want this, and why I am a good candidate for the publishing program.  How do you fit all of that onto a few sheets of paper?  And then let someone else read it?

Anyway, wish me luck!

Ashley

I Dreamed a Dream...

So, as my friends and family well know, I have always been an avid reader.  I devour books, of any kind!  For as long as I can remember, one single thought has crossed my mind, and my lips, on many occasions: "If only I could get paid to read all day."  Well, until about a year ago, I thought those words were just a big pipe dream...something pretty much unattainable.

All of that changed with a simple Facebook post: Rachel Harris was looking for an intern/assistant, and in exchange, she would give some industry info to that person, as well as give them practice and advice in whatever area of writing/publishing they were interested in.  Lucky for me, after reading through countless applications in response to her request, and doing some interviews, Rachel chose me!

My experience as Rachel's assistant was life-altering.  I can't even imagine where I would be if it weren't for working with her for a year.  Not only did I learn alot about what an author does, but I learned a lot about myself...that I have some natural editing abilities, and I really enjoy proofreading.  (I know, I'm crazy!)  About half-way through my year of working with Rachel, I began thinking about what I really wanted to do for the rest of my life.  I am currently a middle/high school English teacher.  I love working with students, and watching them learn and grow.  But I discovered I was even more passionate about well-written, well-edited books.  So I began looking for master's degree programs in publishing.

And the best program I found is the MA in Publishing program at Kingston University in London.  For the same price as a two-year program here in the states (which really didn't seem to measure up anyway) I can complete the program in ONE year, AND live in London while I do it!  I mean, this is a no-brainer, right?  So, I will be applying to the program, and praying that I get in!

Hopefully this blog will go from me sharing the process of getting into Kingston's publishing program to actually sharing what it's like to be a part of the program, as well as living 'across the pond.'

Crossing my fingers (and toes!),

Ashley