Amanda Ake, a third year creative nonfiction candidate in UNC Wilmington’s MFA program, has been named graduate publishing assistant for Lookout Books. She steps into the role vacated by Lindsay Lake, who earned her MFA in May and accepted a position as production coordinator at Bookmobile in Minneapolis. Amanda brings to the position two years of experience as the web and social media graduate fellow for WHQR, Wilmington’s NPR-affiliate station.

“My involvement with Lookout has been the highlight of my MFA so far,” says Ake. In Emily Smith’s Book Marketing and Publicity course, she gained hands-on experience assisting in promotion of This Is My Body by Cameron Dezen Hammon. “I am so excited to help Lookout’s next title, Bigger Than Bravery, find the audience that will be as excited about it as we are.”

“Amanda’s instincts in promoting This Is My Body were spot-on, and I know she’ll continue to innovate as she supports our forthcoming books,” said Smith, Lookout’s publisher. “I can’t wait for her to helm our newsletter and social accounts, among other projects. Her background in web and social media strategy makes her such a welcome addition to the team.”