University of Delaware
Office of Public Relations
UpDate - Vol. 16, No. 28, April 24

              Author Donald Mell to chair UD Press board
                                   
     Author Donald Mell will move to the other side of the
publishing desk July 1, when he will become chairperson of
the University of Delaware Press board of editors.
     The English professor has had two books published by
the press: Contemporary Studies of Swift's Poetry and, most
recently, Pope, Swift, and Women Writers, and he has
actively solicited manuscripts for its consideration.
     Mell replaces Jay Halio, English, who is retiring after
12 years of service as chairperson but will continue as a
member of the board. Halio first became chairperson when the
UD Press joined the Associated University Presses (AUP), a
consortium that includes such schools and organizations as
Bucknell, Fairleigh Dickinson and Susquehanna universities,
the Philadelphia Art Alliance and others.
     "This was a mutually beneficial opportunity for the
University and the Associated University Presses," Halio
recalled. "Thomas Yoseloff, AUP founder, envisioned
publishing, marketing and selling books of several
university presses under one roof. The company, which is now
headed by Julian Yoseloff, assumes all responsibility for
publishing and distributing the books that we select and
edit. The relationship between the University of Delaware
Press and Associated University Presses has been very
cordial over the years."
     The UD Press has received accolades for its academic
excellence, including CHOICE awards for some of its
outstanding selections. "The board is hardworking and
considers each work on its merits, whether it is written by
an established authority or a beginning scholar," Halio
said.
     According to Mell, the UD Press has been especially
known for its publications in the fields of Renaissance
studies, 18th-century studies, Colonial American literature
and art history, along with collections, conference
proceedings and festschriften (learned tributes to
scholars).
     "As the new chair, I hope to build on these strengths
and add to them by publishing works in other fields, such as
public affairs and economics. I also plan to continue
utilizing faculty on the board from a variety of disciplines
and fields," Mell said.
     University presses, in general, he said, are in a state
of transition. "Costs are up and library budgets are down so
that university presses are being challenged. Publishing
houses also are more reluctant to publish books that will
not be commercial successes, and university presses are
taking on the responsibility of accepting books that deserve
publication," he said.
     Mell also said he is interested in publishing regional
books about the culture and history of Delaware and its
environs. "Other university presses have done this
successfully and broadened their readership, while still
maintaining high standards," Mell said.
     It is not within the mission of the press to publish
children's books, memoirs, foreign language books or
textbooks, he said.
      The board of editors solicits manuscripts, evaluates
them and makes decisions on publication, Mell explained.
Usually, an author submits an abstract or chapter of a book,
which is then considered. If there is interest, the book is
read and evaluated by an outside expert in the field. The
next step involves sponsorship of the book by a board
editor, and further discussion and decision. In general, the
manuscript is then revised and resubmitted for publication
by the author.
     The press publishes 25 to 30 titles each year.
     "My goal is to continue the impressive accomplishments
of the UD Press and to expand its influence and scholarship
in other areas," Mell said.
     A graduate of Yale University, where he also received
two master's degrees, Mell holds a doctorate from the
University of Pennsylvania. He joined the UD faculty in 1968
after teaching at Middlebury College and Rutgers University.
His expertise is 18th-century English literature, and he has
published extensively.
     Members of the board of editors are Halio; Susan
Brynteson, libraries; Perry Chapman and Wayne Craven, both
art history; Carl Dawson, J. A. Leo Lemay and Charles
Robinson, all English; Mary Donaldson-Evans and Richard
Zipser, both foreign languages and literatures; John H. Hurt
and Gary May, both history; and Tamara Hareven, individual
and family studies.
                                         -Sue Swyers Moncure