What is ‘Page by Page’ all about?

For a long time, I worried about the fact that I didn’t have a ‘permanent’ job. My personal life took me from one country to another, which meant I was regularly moving from one contract to the next.

Then one day I woke up and realised that, over 20 nomadic years, I had actually managed to build a remarkably successful career, publishing 5 books, winning millions in grants and fellowships, and writing about the things that interest me most. Without even noticing it, I had built this career step by step, page by page.

I launched Page by Page to share what I’ve learned over the course of my working life. It’s a newsletter about how to make progress as you build the career and life you want, one step at a time.

Who is Mary?

I‘m a California-born writer, scholar, and editor based in Switzerland, where I’m a professorial fellow in English at the University of Bern. I’ve held fellowships and lectureships at the University of Oxford, the University of Melbourne, and Queen Mary University of London, among other places. In addition to publishing scholarship on medieval literature and culture, I regularly write for such publications as the Times Literary Supplement and give interviews to journalists at the BBC, PBS, and Radio Télévision Suisse. When I’m not medievalling, I’m writing comedy for publications like McSweeney’s or Points in Case.

Who is ‘Page by Page’ for?

  • Anyone trying to make a career writing about the subjects they love most.

  • People looking for a writing or career mentor, someone who can encourage and guide them.

  • Readers hunting for the inside information and unwritten rules that govern the academic and publishing worlds.

Page by Page shares what I’ve learned over the course of my 20-year career, and aims to build a supportive professional community in the process.

How can I subscribe to ‘Page by Page’?

  1. Free subscription: Without spending a penny, you can get regular public posts, notifications of online PBP chats, and first crack at registering for my ‘How to Write a Book’ workshops. Most posts are paywalled after 2 months, but those that resonate most with readers remain available to all.

  2. Paid subscription: For either $5 per month or $50 per year, you get access to absolutely everything on the site, and the satisfaction of knowing that your support enables me to buy the coffee that fuels this newsletter—many thanks indeed!

  3. Founding Member subscription: A donation of $150 gets you all of the above, PLUS feedback on your writing whenever you want. Yup. It’s an absolute steal! And if your institution or employer offers financial support for professional development, this is an awesome way of getting personalized guidance for your academic, professional, or creative writing. As of PBP’s first birthday (28 September 2023!), new Founding Members will also get 2 gift subscriptions to share with friends and colleagues!

Subscribe to Page by Page

Where writers and scholars can find the support they’ve been looking for.

People

I’m a writer and medievalist based in Switzerland.