Meet Brooke, a dedicated second-year master’s student, pursuing a degree in Professional Writing and Publishing. After repeating year 12 and gaining work experience, Brooke began her university journey at 25, uncertain about her future direction. During the early years of her studies, she navigated the need to balance academic pursuits with frequent breaks between semesters. Seven years later, Brooke successfully completed her Bachelor’s and Honours degrees. A later diagnosis of ADHD and a soon-to-come ASD provided the clarity and insight she had been longing for in her learning experience.
Brooke started her master’s program with two clear understandings about herself: she was dedicated to education as a self-proclaimed nerd and had a deep passion and love for writing. Throughout her life, writing has always been the consistent thread that tied everything together. With ongoing support and commitment, Brooke dedicated herself to refining her creative passion, eager to discover what it had in store for her.
In Semester 1, of 2024, Brooke completed a unit called Publishing Studio and joined the first cohort of an initiative within the Professional Writing and Publishing degree, to establish a student-staffed publishing house, here at Curtin, Elephant Page Publishing @elephantpage_. This initiative, created by Major Coordinator Per Henningsgaard, provides students with hands-on experience and knowledge of working in the publishing industry. The publishing house is now open to a range of genres and styles across fiction, creative nonfiction, and poetry, with the goal of shaping a diverse Australian book industry for future generations. Brooke was elected as the Deputy Publisher of Elephant Page by her peers, where she became the second-in-command of all operations. This role was demanding, requiring her to oversee every aspect of the publication process, ensure smooth workflow among team members, set and manage deadlines, and handle all duties typical of a second-in-command. Despite the heavy workload, Brooke found the experience immensely rewarding and exciting.
Brooke considers this role her favourite part of her university experience thus far, as it provided a practical, hands-on experience that felt more like an internship than a course unit. Through this role, she honed her skills in project management, team coordination, and real-world publishing processes, gaining invaluable industry insights. Elephant Page Publishing will continue to run through the unit and will change cohorts each semester. Brooke couldn’t praise the initiative enough, as it gave her a deep sense of confidence and a clear understanding of her work and the unique value she brings to the table.
Reflecting on her academic journey, Brooke emphasises the importance of taking studies seriously and fully immersing oneself in the university experience. She advises first-year students to invest maximum effort to make the most of the opportunities and personal growth available. Her involvement in Elephant Page has not only provided her with practical experience but has also significantly boosted her confidence in her abilities. Looking back, it is evident that by completing her master’s study, Brooke didn’t just acquire advanced knowledge; she gained profound clarity about herself and her contributions. This phase of her education not only equipped her with valuable insights but also provided clear direction for her future path.
Brooke now sees her future open to possibilities. She is deeply passionate about the academic environment and is considering pursuing a PhD, focusing on the first-person experience of mental illness and neurodiversity through the lens of personal essays. Additionally, Brooke’s passion for editing and publishing has been ignited by her experience with Elephant Page Publishing and the broader Professional Writing and Publishing Masters course, and she is eager to explore this field further.
Visit the Elephant Page Publishing website to learn more, or check out their Instagram page at @elephantpage_.
