Have you ever wondered about the staff members that keep BOA running? Well, wonder no more! We’ve created a short interview series so you can get to know the BOA staff. Check out this interview with Genevieve Hartman (She/Her), BOA’s Director of Development & Communications.
BOA: Hi Gena! Tell us about your role at BOA!
Gena: I’m the Director of Development & Communications. I write grants and manage the social media, handle community outreach and book donations, and organize our yearly fundraiser, Dine & Rhyme. If you send BOA a message on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter, you'll usually hear back from me. Say hi anytime!
BOA: How long have you been working at BOA Editions?
Gena: I started my role as Director of Development & Communications in June 2020, but I also was a fall intern in 2019!
BOA: What is your favorite part about working for the press?
Gena: GENA: It’s honestly a dream to have a job that requires me to be surrounded by books of poetry! And it’s amazing to help new books find their way to our readers’ hands! I practically grew up in my parents' used bookstore, so it’s both familiar and new and exciting at the same time.
BOA: What makes BOA unique?
Gena: Our tight-knit community and our stellar authors! We have a small staff of four, which means we all support each other and help keep the moving parts of the press turning smoothly, with great support from our Board of Directors. Getting to work closely with our accomplished and talented authors is an amazing experience (which often leaves me a little bit star-struck!) I am also so proud to work at a place prioritizes publishing voices and perspectives that have been historically underserved.
BOA: What's one thing you love about BOA’s home city of Rochester?
Gena: Highland Park in springtime! There’s nothing like the lilacs and magnolias in bloom! I also love the Lamberton Conservatory, which is housed in Highland Park and is home to an array of plants and adorable quail and turtles.
BOA: What's a fun fact about yourself and/or a hobby that you enjoy?
Gena: I'm a plant lover! Over the past year or two, I've amassed around 50 plants (and counting!) I also dabble in numerous arts—calligraphy, photography, guitar—and am excited to get back to the gym again now that I’m vaccinated!
BOA: Are you a writer? If so, what genre(s) do you write?
Gena: I’m first and foremost a poet, but lately I’ve also begun writing reviews of small-press poetry and hybrid books! I’m currently working on my first chapbook manuscript!
Read our previous interviews with BOA Executive Director and Publisher Peter Conners here and Director of Publicity and Production Ron Martin-Dent here.
