Publishing Professional Interview: Alexus Wall

Biography

Alexus Wall serves as the Content Committee Lead for the George Washington University Journal of Ethics in Publishing. Transitioning into the publishing field from a background in law and risk management, she brings a distinctive lens of ethical reasoning, structure, and accountability to creative storytelling. In her role, Alexus has expanded the journal’s content beyond traditional book reviews to include author interviews, roundtable discussions, legal analyses, and case studies that explore the evolving intersection of ethics and publishing. She also collaborates with the Marketing Committee to produce digital-first content that reaches readers beyond the printed page. A writer at heart, Alexus is passionate about crafting experiences that connect readers to authentic voices and meaningful conversations.

What recent ethical topics in publishing are you interested in and why?

I’m deeply interested in the ethics of representation and how publishing approaches diversity not just as a numbers goal, but as a matter of authenticity, agency, and equity. It’s not enough to include diverse voices; we have to ask how those voices are being included, who is making editorial decisions, and whose comfort dictates what stories are told.

As a Black woman with an invisible disability and a background in law, I’m especially drawn to the ethical intersections of identity, accessibility, and power. I’ve experienced firsthand how invisibility, whether racial, physical, or systemic, can silence perspectives that deserve to be centered. That’s why I believe ethical publishing must go beyond performative inclusion. It should mean creating structures that honor the full humanity of storytellers, giving them the freedom to tell their truths without compromise or translation. To me, the future of ethical publishing depends on how bravely we handle differences and how willing we are to listen when stories challenge comfort, rather than reinforce it. That’s where real progress begins.

What do you enjoy most about working on content, and how do you feel it contributes to the journal’s mission?

What I enjoy most is the art of shaping ideas into something that moves people. Writing, editing, and curating content feels like orchestrating small acts of discovery; each piece invites readers to sit with an ethical question and reflect on its meaning. I love that part of the process: creating experiences that are both introspective and human. It’s not just about delivering information; it’s about sparking connection and conversation. That’s how I believe our work advances the journal’s mission–by transforming ethics from a distant concept into something various types of readers can access and digest.

How do you manage the schedule and/or time between interviews, book reviews, and other responsibilities in the committee?

Let’s just say I’ve learned to live by my Google Calendar and my color-coded spreadsheets. Organization is my creative superpower; it gives me space to actually be creative. I treat our publishing cycle much like a newsroom: structured, but flexible. A shared content tracker keeps everyone aligned on progress and deadlines, while open communication allows us to adapt as needed. Delegation and trust are key; I encourage members to take ownership of their projects while maintaining oversight to support balance and cohesion across the committee’s work. Each project supports the other: book reviews feed the interviews, interviews inspire roundtables, and roundtables generate new questions for analysis or the reverse. I remind the content committee (and myself) that we’re not machines, we're thinkers, writers, and collaborators. So, when timelines blur, I focus on progress over perfection, trusting that authentic content takes the time it needs to breathe.

How do ethics apply to content creation for the GWJEP and in other areas of publishing?

Ethics are the foundation of everything we do. They show up in the choices we make, whose voices we amplify, how we frame stories, and how we handle mistakes. Coming from a legal background, I tend to see ethics as both principle and practice: it’s not just about avoiding harm, it’s about doing justice to the truth. In publishing, that means making room for authenticity for authors and readers alike. Ethical storytelling isn’t sterile; it’s alive, textured, and sometimes uncomfortable. But that’s where the real conversations happen, and that’s exactly where I want our journal to live.

In your opinion, should practical considerations, such as the popularity, ever outweigh ethical concerns in deciding what content to create?

In short: no. Popularity might drive clicks or readership in the short term, but compromising integrity undermines trust. That said, I think we can present ethical topics in engaging ways through narrative storytelling, visual media, or digital formats without diluting the substance. We can make the hard questions magnetic. The goal isn’t to sacrifice ethics for trends, but to make ethics compelling enough to stand alongside them.

What lessons have you learned that you want to carry forward into your publishing career?

I’ve learned that good leadership and publishing requires both structure and compassion. My legal background taught me to think critically, but publishing has taught me to think creatively. Managing multiple content types has taught me how to balance structure with flexibility and how to support people through clear communication. I want to carry forward an unwavering commitment to creating honest, human-centered work that respects both the craft and the conscience of publishing. And I want to maintain the mindset to stay reflective and responsive as the industry continues to evolve.

What are your hopes for the future of the Content Committee as the journal continues to grow and evolve?

My hope is that the Content Committee continues to be a space for innovation and collaboration–not just a section of the journal, but a creative lab where ideas and formats experiment freely. I want us to keep collaborating across committees, exploring multimedia storytelling, and giving space to voices that don’t often get heard in academic publishing. I look forward to exploring creative and accessible ways to spark discussion around ethics in publishing. For me, it’s about making content that resonates, offering readers a space where they feel both challenged and inspired. In doing so, I hope to help strengthen the journal’s role in the broader publishing community and remind people that ethics isn’t just a policy, it's a pulse. Ultimately, I want the committee to remain a model for how thoughtful, ethical publishing can evolve in real time.