A Week in the Life of a Student Publisher

5 ECHOES

Location: Stirling, Stirling, Scotland, United Kingdom

3427109

Welcome to a week in the life of a publishing student! From my favourite work and study haunts, to my favourite past-times – I hope you enjoy walking in my shoes! DURATION: 5 minutes 40 seconds.

University of Stirling

Walking around this lake sparks a lot of happy memories for me – at a time when we were limited to our screens, this was the one spot I would love to come to to watch the swans, bathe in the sunlight and appreciate the multitude of plants and wildlife. All the while having the most soft comforting music in my ears – whether this be through headphones or the soundtrack happening around me.

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The Book Nook Stirling

Here is where my publishing journey began and continues in full swing. When they approached me to work here, I attributed it to a dream coming true and now, because of them and their support, I get to continue making my book lover's heart dream come true. With regulars in the form of brilliant authors, a precious dachshund by the name of 'Beans', and aspiring artists and students alike – this is the best place to congregate for some delicious coffee, top tier bagels, and homemade bakes baked lovingly by the in-house baker. I not only flex my barista and bagel-making muscles, but the owners are adamant I get involved as much as possible in their vital role in the book industry: labelling and shelving books, organising books in disarray, and working and hosting author events. Lucky doesn't even describe how I feel when I walk in here.

The music that plays is curated to their aesthetic perfectly – whether you want to vibe to 'Dreams' by Fleetwood Mac, a glittering array of Taylor Swift songs, or 'Smile Like You Mean It' by The Killers – it reflects the personality of the staff perfectly.

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Chester's Coffee House

This place is one of the most comforting and warm places to be, only made more so with some of the friendliest staff members I've met: always asking about my day and life updates on my publishing journey... with some of the book lovers asking what I'm currently reading. With my favourite coffee in hand – a beautiful vanilla latte adorned with art in the shape of a swan, I get to work: whether this be studying, reading, or work for my internship position, which includes a lot of editing and proofreading; incredibly rewarding work, especially when I get to see the product in all its forms.
Here their music fits the personality of the shop perfectly – whether this be 'Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters' by Elton John, or 'Sitting on the Dock of the Bay' by Otis Redding. This has been a regular haunt of mine from the day I discovered it and will continue to be.

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Waterstones Stirling

Me and my friends got here early to secure a special edition of 'Powerless' by Lauren Roberts. As we watched the shutters open to the shop – we were graced with themed pink balloons, the books themselves and a huge chalkboard announcing its release, alongside some exclusive merchandise, with a tote bag and bookmark to adorn the beautiful hardback edition. We of course took advantage of the empty shop and had a wander around some of our favourite genres and titles before we had our photos taken as one of the first purchasers of the day. Smiles wide and excitement permeable – we couldn't wait for the next book event / release, as noted in each of our calendars so as not to miss a single one. Sadly Lauren Roberts does not have a playlist to accompany her bestselling series – but with some research of all the playlists dedicated in her honour, I would recommend: 'Treacherous' and 'Castles Crumbling' by Taylor Swift, 'doomsday' Lizzy McAlpine, 'Everybody Wants to Rule the World' by Lorde, 'Born to Die' by Lana Del Ray; and 'Take Me to Church' by Hozier. This fits with both the book and the peaceful vibe of a book-browsing experience.

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Europa Music

As soon as you walk in you're graced with both good music and a friendly face – offering to help you with anything you're looking for, and reminding you of the 'Tardis-esque' quality of the place with a jaw-dropping expanse of records and a record-listening station. I am an avid-browser and collector with a love for both music and books – so although it may be dangerous, it is completely worth the risk. When it comes to music – I like listening to either: Van Morrison's 'Moondance' album; anything by Simon & Garfunkel – particularly their 'Parsley, Sage, Rosemary And Thyme' album; or 'Cigarettes and Coffee' by Otis Redding. All of these accompany the ambience and characteristics of this place perfectly: smooth, calm and rejuvenating.

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