About Lynn

Throughout my career in the book publishing industry, I’ve been privileged to wear a number of hats: editor, literary agent, author, and teacher. These days, I seem to switch hats on a regular basis.

I wear my Professor hat at Rosemont College in suburban Philadelphia where I am the Director of Graduate Publishing Programs. Students in our program obtain a Master of Arts degree in Publishing. I’ve been with the program since Fall ’09, and am enjoying helping to shape and build the program for the future to align with the changing nature of the publishing industry. I’ve also worn my professor hat at Temple University, where I taught in the First Year Writing Program, and Drexel University, where I taught publishing.

I also created and curate a thriving program of adult education book discussion classes called Open Book. Open Book is where I teach my popular class “A Sneak Peek at Next Year’s Bestsellers,” where we read new books before they are published! In Open Book, I’ve also led classes on contemporary fiction, memoir, and local (Philadelphia) authors. I recently taught a class called “Literary Remakes,” where we paired a classic with a newer book inspired by the classic. My Open Book classes are filled with wonderful students who are passionate readers.

I proudly wear the Author hat when touting my book, Elements of the Table: A Simple Guide for Hosts and Guests (Clarkson Potter/Random House, 2007). Journalist A.D. Amorosi of Philadelphia’s City Paper calls me “The First Lady of the Fork” and Publishers Weekly magazine calls me “a more forgiving Miss Manners.” Elements of the Table looks at everything on the table—including silver, china, crystal and decorative items—and describes how to properly use it, along with some fun dining history. Did you know, for example, that napkin rings were invented so you could make sure you got the same napkin at each meal, since no one laundered them in between?

I keep my Author’s cap on when working on my new project, an ambitious (if I do say so myself!) attempt to write a first draft of my first novel in six months. I’m blogging about this experience on The Huffington Post. Take a look:  http://www.huffingtonpost.com/lynn-rosen. And I don my Editor cap, which is the most worn-in and comfy one, well, pretty much whenever I read anything. I always have the proverbial red pencil in hand. After years of helping writers with their books, these days I still keep my hand in with editorial consulting for writers and publishers.

And of course, there are a few small folks out there who call me Mommy. Hi boys! Hey, stop eating with your fingers!