The University of Arizona Press
July 16, 2026
Summer is a great time to meet the people at The University of Arizona Press who turn book dreams into reality. We are a small but mighty team!
Today, we feature our Editorial Assistant, Maya Steinberg.
Hi, Maya! What do you do for the Press?
As the Editorial Assistant at the University of Arizona Press, I support our editorial team throughout the acquisitions process and help guide projects from proposal to final manuscript. Much of my work involves coordinating peer review, preparing written materials for publication committee meetings, and assisting authors as they submit their final manuscript files for production.
How long have you been at UAP?
I just finished my first month as an Editorial Assistant, but I’m not entirely new to the Press. I spent two years as a student worker in the Acquisitions department during my time as an undergraduate at the University of Arizona. Looking back, the Press was woven into so much of my undergraduate experience–not only through what I learned as a student worker, but also through the dozens of UAP books assigned in my Mexican American Studies and Gender & Women’s Studies courses, some even taught by UAP authors! I feel very lucky to continue to have the opportunity to work with books, authors, and colleagues I admire so much.
What do you like most about working here?
What I love most about working here is the sense of place that shapes the Press. There is a deep commitment to Tucson and the Southwest, and to publishing books that preserve, challenge, and expand the stories we tell about this region. I am continually inspired by authors and colleagues who believe in the power of books to create more just futures. Since much of my work happens in the earliest stages of the editorial process, I also have the privilege of working closely with books as they evolve from proposals to final manuscripts, and supporting authors as they bring new writing into the world.
What would people be surprised to learn about your work?
Workflow at a university press is a bit like time travel! Many of the proposals and manuscripts that cross my desk won’t become books for another two or three years, so I’m constantly living a few publishing seasons in the future. People are often surprised by just how far ahead we plan—and I’m still adjusting to how often I find myself writing dates like “2028” in everyday work.
What do you like to do in your free time?
I love being outside in Tucson and spending time in the desert, usually with my dog Rigby. I’ve also played volleyball most of my life and still play in a local rec league with my team, the Jumping Chollas.
Welcome to the Press, Maya!
