Publishing Solutions Group

Publishing Solutions Group has a new home! After being in Boston for nearly 12 years, we are now conveniently located just north of Boston in Woburn, Massachusetts, one of New England’s oldest communities. The town is a mix of neighborhoods, offices and industrial parks, and conservation areas.

Woburn is about 10 miles north of Boston and was settled over 350 years ago. It was primarily an agricultural community through the early 19th century. Woburn was also home to the nation’s earliest rubber industry; in fact Charles Goodyear first discovered the vulcanization process (hardening rubber with sulfur at a high temperature) in Woburn in 1839. Woburn was also known for its leather production, in 1865 there were 21 tanning and currying businesses, though today there are none. 

Our office is located in West Cummings Park, a group of office buildings that house a variety of different companies as well as restaurants, coffee shops, mixed retail and service businesses. We love that Staples and UPS and plenty of coffee shops are within walking distance and Target is just a short car ride away. There is a bus stop just outside our front door and the train station is a few miles down the road, so our Boston folks can continue to have a convenient and easy “green” commute.

The office was a crisp, white canvas when we moved in and we have brightened up the walls with vibrant colors which define PSG’s abundance of creative energy. The main area has two accent walls, one bright green and the other orange. Our conference rooms are accented with purple and dark green, and the kitchen is a sunny yellow. The open floor plan is ideal for collaboration and our editorial, project management, art, design,  production and translation departments still work happily together under one roof.

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DIRECTIONS:

From I-93 North:
Take exit 36 (Montvale Avenue toward Stoneham)
Turn left at the bottom of the ramp
Take the second right onto Washington Street
Turn left onto West Cummings Park
400 West Cummings Park is on the left
Publishing Solutions Group is located on the second floor, Suite 2600.

From I-93 South:
Take exit 37B (I-95 S toward Waltham)
Take exit 36 (Washington Street/Woburn)
Turn right at the bottom of the ramp
Take the second right onto Washington Street
Turn right onto West Cummings Park
400 West Cummings Park is on the right (just after Dunkin’ Donuts)
Publishing Solutions Group is located on the second floor, Suite 2600.

From I-95/Rt. 128 South:
Take exit 36 (Washington Street/Woburn)
Turn right at the bottom of the ramp
Take the second right onto Washington Street
Turn right onto West Cummings Park
400 West Cummings Park is on the right (just after Dunkin’ Donuts)
Publishing Solutions Group is located on the second floor, Suite 2600.

From I-95 North:
Take exit 36 (Washington Street/Woburn)
Turn right onto Washington Street
Turn right onto West Cummings Park
400 West Cummings Park is on the right (just after Dunkin’ Donuts)
Publishing Solutions Group is located on the second floor, Suite 2600.

Public Transportation:
Take the Orange Line or Blue Line to State St. Station Take the 354 Woburn Outbound bus to 400 West Cummings Park (See http://www.mbta.com/schedules_and_maps/bus/routes/?route=354 for schedule)
The trip is approximately 25 minutes .
OR
Take the Lowell Line from North Station to Anderson/Woburn (See http://www.mbta.com/schedules_and_maps/rail/lines/?route=LOWELL for schedule)
Station is approximately two miles from office.

 

 

DO YOU LOVE WHAT YOU DO? WE DO.

At PSG, we love what we do. We are creative, editorial, technical, production and multi-lingual experts—and we’re always on the lookout for people just like us.

Our Staff
PSG’s executive staff averages more than 20+ years each in the publishing industry. Around this core staff, we assemble the most reliable resources in the industry to precisely fit each project’s needs. Our internal team is made up of the most talented, driven, smart and thoughtful individuals in the industry. We work hard, play hard and manage our client’s projects with style, grace and a smile.

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IN-HOUSE OPPORTUNITIES
There are no in-house positions available at this time.

FREELANCE OPPORTUNITIES

November 2011—- Assessment Writers and Editors, Mathematics
We are currently looking for experienced mathematics writers and editors who specialize in assessment item development. Must have 5+ years experience in K-12 assessment market. Please send your materials to: “Careers@publishingsolutionsgroup.com” and be sure to note “Math Assessment Writer” or “Math Assessment Editor” in subject line of email.

* current resume
* project history
* samples of your work (on-level, mc & cr)

Be sure to note preferred grade level(s), use of CMS and state-specific projects. Applications will not be reviewed without all documents noted above.

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All Subject Areas & Levels
We’re known for having the best resources, wherever they are. Our experienced in-house staff manages all of our resources, whether they are down the street or across the country.

What’s your area of expertise? Whether it’s Reading and Language Arts, Literature, Mathematics, Social Studies, Science, Business or something else, we may have some work for you.

What’s your specialty? Editorial, creative, production, design, new media, translation?

If you would like to be part of our freelance team, send us an email with your resume. Be sure to tell us all about your specialties and subject areas. We’ll be in touch when we have match.

Where should you send your resume and information? .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Please note subject area and position in subject line of your email ie: “K-6 ELA Writer”.

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INTERN PROGRAM

Are you highly motivated? Do you have strong written and oral communication skills? Are you looking for on-the-job training in educational publishing? Come join a team that will respect you and your ideas and help you gain valuable professional experience. We are truly a work-hard, play-hard cooperative community here at PSG.

At PSG, our internships are hands-on. Interns work side-by-side with our project managers, editors, copyeditors, compositors, designers and translation teams. They are encouraged to try new things and participate in the process from start to finish.

Whether it’s for credit or to gain valuable experience, an internship at PSG is a great place to begin, or resume, your career.

Looking for an internship for the upcoming semester?
Contact Lori Becker, CEO, today at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) with your resume and cover letter. Be sure to note “Internship” in subject line of email.

Publishing Solutions Group recognizes the importance of hands-on learning in students’ education from both a former intern and mentoring perspective. This is why PSG initiated an internship program. Interns apply for the Fall, Spring or Summer semesters. Some receive college credits and others are looking for experience after graduation. Either way, they are here to gain real-world experience as they learn more about the publishing industry from the inside. Most of our interns come from Emerson College and are enrolled in the Writing, Literature and Publishing program. We have also had interns, and graduates, from Bennington College, Bryant University, UMass Amherst, and Boston College.

An internship affords an opportunity for a student to transfer knowledge and skills learned in the classroom to a professional setting while under the supervision of professionals. Students who take advantage of internships gain first-hand experience in their field of study, acquire marketable skills, and begin to establish professional networks. The key benefit to the student is the opportunity to earn hands-on experience in the world of work. In addition to this invaluable benefit, an intern may be compensated for his or her time via a stipend or hourly wages and/or academic credit.

At PSG, we understand the value of a great internship. Our interns become part of a team that respects them and their ideas and helps them gain valuable professional experience. We are truly a work-hard, play-hard cooperative community here at PSG, and it is no different for our interns.

Our Interns receive on-the-job training and learn skills as they review and copyedit manuscript, proofread, monitor schedules, traffic files, and assist our Project Management team. PSG is pleased to train these future editors, copyeditors, and project managers and help them get their foot in the door to the publishing industry.

Emily Solomon, Emerson College, BA Writing, Literature and Publishing, 2011
Tamzin Mitchell, Wellesley College, BA English and Creative Writing, 2009
Chrissy Mysko, Emerson College, BA Writing, Literature and Publishing, 2010
RayLynn Tustin, Emerson, BFA Writing, Literature, and Publishing, Science and Psychology Minors, 2011
Alecia Eberhardt, Emerson College, BFA Writing, Literature, and Publishing, Philosophy and Science Minors
Robert Davis, University of Massachusetts Amherst, 2009, B.A. English
Caitlin Dwyer, Emerson College, BA Writing, Literature and Publishing, 2010
Trish Daly, Boston College, BA English and American Studies
Ariel Dreyer, Bennington College, 2008, BA in Literature
Analucia Mass, Emerson College, BS in Marketing Communication, Entrepreneurship Minor, 2009
Molly Whiteman, Boston College, BA English, Irish Studies Minor 2010

Looking for an internship for the upcoming semester?
Contact Lori Becker, Founder & CEO, today at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) with your resume and cover letter to join the PSG Team!

PSG Reads is a volunteer initiative developed by Publishing Solutions Group President and CEO Lori Becker. Publishing Solutions Group is an educational development company that provides editorial, production, and art and design services to K-12 textbook publishers in a variety of subject areas. Our extensive experience with reading and language arts materials has provided us with a solid understanding of current reading processes and strategies. This experience has fueled our desire to advocate literacy in local schools. Publishing Solutions Group established PSG Reads to promote community involvement and encourage a lifelong love of reading.

PSG staff members hope to enhance the reading experience of students in the local community by reading to them and listening to them read. PSG Reads recognizes that reading aloud benefits students of all grade levels by strengthening their fluency, expression, vocabulary, and familiarity with language. PSG Reads has the following goals:

• To provide increased exposure to fluent reading
• To stimulate the students’ interest in reading and encourage them to view it as a lifelong skill
• To foster the interaction between the students and the local community
• To promote a spirit of volunteerism for the students and our staff

About our School
PSG Reads is held in conjunction with Blackstone Elementary School in the South End. It is one of several Boston Public Schools in our area. We chose to work with this school after meeting it’s Principal, Millie Ruiz-Allen. She is an amazing woman and educator and she welcomed us with open arms. With the school year right around the corner, we’re just as excited about meeting our new classes as we are about some new *green selections.* This year, our theme is *GO GREEN!* Here are a few of our fave new selections:

• George Saves the World by Lunchtime by Jo Readman
• I Can Save the Earth!: One Little Monster Learns to Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle by Alison Inches
• Michael Recycle by Ellie Bethel
• The World Came to My Place Today by Jo Readman

 

If you happened to catch the news or a radio show on January 20th, you may have heard Publishing Solutions Group’s Founder and CEO Lori Becker touting Staples and stickK.com’s StickK to it it! Business Challenge. Lori was chosen by the Initiative for a Competitive Inner City and Staples to act as a spokesperson. The program was created to make it easy for small businesses to set, track and achieve professional goals. The StickK to it! Business Challenge uses incentives and accountability to help individuals meet these goals.

As Lori explains, here at PSG “we’re each other’s cheerleaders for outside activities, so why not apply the same mentality at work? With Stickk to It!, we have a way to set goals and schedules, while designating external referees. We’re much more likely to achieve the goal, which ultimately helps both the employee and the business.” Several PSG staff members have already signed up for the challenge, and others are acting as their referees, verifying that the goals (whether it’s neatening the office, going green, or taking a class) are indeed being worked on. To sign up for the challenge, visit http://staples.com/goals.

It Is Easy Being Green!

Publishing Solutions Group has gone green. We recognize the importance of the environment and want to do our part to help take care of the earth. One of the biggest things we’ve done is implementing a recycling program. There are special containers throughout the office for paper, plastic, and cardboard. We also recycle old cell phones, computers, electronics, and toner cartridges. Employees are able to bring in their own electronics to recycle in addition to those used by the company!

We have also reduced our carbon footprint by installing programmable thermostats. PSG uses natural light whenever possible. We also have stopped using paper plates and plastic utensils in favor of real plates and silverware. There is a water cooler in our kitchen which reduces bottled-water waste. PSG encourages all employees to mark changes on screen in Microsoft Word or Adobe to avoid printing out the pages. We also send out e-marketing materials to cut down on the amount of paper mailings we send out. Many of our employees commute via public transportation and on foot.

Here are some ideas to reduce your carbon footprint:

• TAKE THE T - Take advantage of Boston’s easy-to-navigate public transit. MBTA has a great website that can help you get where you need to go. You can choose the fastest route, the route with the least amount of transfers, or the route with the least amount of walking time.
• WALK - Walking is a great start to any day; it wakes up your body & puts you in a state of focus and relaxation
• EAT LOCALLY - Good for you and the environment. It’s fresher and it takes less fuel to get to your table
• GET A NALGENE - Sure, water’s great for you, but if you’re getting your recommended 8 a day via Poland Springs, you’ve got a lot of wasted plastic on your hands (and your conscience). Pony up the 15 bucks for a reusable water bottle, and you’ll save money in the long run, not to mention the environment
• WASH WITH COLD WATER - Your clothes, that is. Heating water takes a lot of energy, so if you’re not getting stains out, clean with cold. Many companies are now making detergents especially for cold water washing. Bonus: you can mix your colors in a cold water cycle

Publishing Solutions Group President & CEO Lori Becker is known for her “work hard, play hard” philosophy and a few times a year the PSG staff gets to play hard at the Summerfest, Springfest, and Winterfest celebrations. A PSG team member, whose most important role is to keep the party a secret, organizes each one of our events! PSG events are “Top Secret,” held in various locations in and around Boston and always come with a few twists. 

Here are the highlights from a few of our favorite events:

• Summerfest 2008 - PSG staffers were brought back to a time of Smurfs, slap bracelets, and synthesizers as we hopped onboard an 80’s party bus. We answered 80’s trivia and listened to Wham! while we headed to Golf Country where we played mini golf, hit a bucket of balls at the driving range, and practiced hitting at the batting cages. We finished the day at Richardson’s Ice Cream, an ice cream stand with its own dairy farm that’s been around for over 300 years!
• Springfest 2008 - PSG staffers’ creative juices were flowing as they made plans for our first spring decorating contest. The staff was divided into three groups and each chose an area of the office to decorate with a spring theme. The Art, Design and Production team prepared an elegant spring picnic while the Project Managers made spring break come alive with Barbies at the bar and on the beach. The Editorial team won the contest with their creative play on the word spring with a display that included everything from Red Sox spring training to spring rolls to Irish Spring Soap. They even had a “Name that Spring” quiz where the judges answered questions about Jerry Springer, spring inspired musical selections, and Springer Spaniels.
• Winterfest 2007 - We bundled up and headed to the North End, the center of the Italian community in Boston known for its intimate and authentic Italian restaurants. We had dinner at Taranta restaurant where they prepared a special menu just for us. The combination of Southern Italian and Peruvian cuisine was unique and delicious.
• Summerfest 2007 - the staff at PSG split into three groups and competed in a fun, team-building scavenger hunt. From Boston Common to the North End, we explored our city searching for answers to questions about Paul Revere, Colonial Era cuisine, and the Boston Massacre. The competition was fierce to the bitter end and the tie-breaking question about the height of the wave of molasses in Boston’s infamous Molasses flood.
• Winterfest 2006 - The staff at PSG went to Boston’s best fondue and wine restaurant, The Wine Cellar. We enjoyed a customized menu, played wine trivia with the proprietor, and even won several bottles of wine! The decadent fondue combined with aromatic wines was the perfect meal for a chilly New England evening.
• Summerfest 2006 - PSG staff had the chance to explore Boston by land and by sea at Summerfest 2006. We went on the original and world famous Boston Duck Tour! We saw the sights of the city on a World War II style amphibious landing vehicle. Our conDUCKtor was great, telling us all the little-known facts about places we pass every day. We traveled around to the State House, TD Banknorth Garden, Government Center, and Newbury Street before plunging into the Charles River where we had a stunning view of the Boston and Cambridge Skyline.