Publishing Professional Interview: Cecilia Gray

Biography

Cecilia Gray is a Production Editor at Simon & Schuster, Director of Operations at Inkluded, and Managing Editor of the Journal of Ethics in Publishing. She is currently earning her Master’s in Publishing at George Washington University. She brings a passion for inclusive storytelling and ethical industry practices to her work and is honored to work with organizations that share her passion.

Can you describe your role as Managing Editor, and what it means to you?

I always say that a managing editor is the publishing equivalent of a project manager. They set priorities, maintain publishing schedules, liaise with all active parties in the publishing process, and oversee their projects at every step. And that’s exactly what I do in my role. I work closely with the GWJEP’s editor-in-chief and all its committees to set achievable goals and priorities for each issue. I support our Content, Editorial, Marketing, E-Publishing, and Strategy and Sustainability committees in their work to achieve journal goals, and I aim to foster a sense of community amongst all journal members as well as the larger university community.

I’m really fortunate to be in this role because it means that I get to work with so many amazing people and to help chart the future course of this impactful and much-needed journal.

What does ethics in publishing mean to you?

Ethics are a crucial consideration in all facets of life, but publishing is specifically personal to me. Beyond being someone in the publishing industry, I am a product of it. Books, like any form of media, have the power to shape society, preserve history, and influence new generations. They have profoundly impacted the person I am today. For that reason, I firmly believe the media we consume should reflect the full diversity of our society. Likewise, the people involved in creating that media—not just editors and authors, but also paper suppliers, copy editors, cover designers, sales representatives, policymakers, and everyone else who contributes—should embody a balanced and ethical system. Ethics in publishing means being mindful of the impact that every book, even the smallest, 32-page picture book, can have on our society presently and in the future.

How would you describe your experience with the journal?

Working with the journal has been a very rewarding experience. This semester, we have several new members, including myself, which means we have a wealth of new and experienced perspectives. As we are currently preparing for our next issue, the GWJEP team has been having rich discussions of how we want to grow, how we want to solicit perspectives on emerging topics, and what legacy we want to leave behind. These conversations have led to amazing ideas that we’re excited to begin working on, and I feel lucky to work alongside so many other passionate individuals.

How has ethics influenced your career? How has it influenced your education?

Ethics has guided both my academic and professional decisions by serving as a framework for how I approach responsibility, fairness, and accountability. In my education, I’ve sought to understand not just technical knowledge but also the social impact of ideas—how theory translates into practice and affects people’s lives. In my career, ethics has influenced how I interact with colleagues, make choices about projects, and define what success looks like. It reminds me that outcomes matter not only in terms of efficiency or profit, but also in terms of equity, transparency, and the long-term effects on individuals and communities.

What ethical topics are you interested in?

I’m especially interested in questions of equity, representation, and access—who gets opportunities, whose voices are heard, and how systemic barriers can be addressed. I’m also drawn to discussions of professional responsibility: how individuals balance personal integrity with organizational goals. More broadly, I’m interested in the ethics of emerging technologies, privacy, and the responsibility of institutions to create inclusive environments where diverse perspectives can thrive.

What do you hope to see from the journal in the future?

I am excited to see the journal grow as a thought leader that not only publishes scholarship on ethics in publishing but also sparks conversations that ripple outward into classrooms, conferences, and industry practices. Ethics in publishing doesn’t stop at just how books are published; it also covers the systematic decisions that lead to industry standards that are shared across businesses. I hope we get to see more submissions that expand the conversation.