In his own words: A conversation with Schlager Group founder, Neil Schlager

Every week we’re sharing excerpts from our exclusive interview with Neil Schlager. Today we learn about the factors that inspired his career in publishing.

“I grew up in Kansas and attended college at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, pursuing a degree in History. During my final semester at SMU in 1989, I was doing research in the library about career options for liberal arts majors—this was long before you could look things up on the Internet. To be sure, I was a bit at a loss about my future.

“I came across a book that referenced the Denver Publishing Institute. As I loved books, and my parents happened to be residing in Denver at that time, this seemed promising. I promptly applied, was accepted, and spent the summer there learning about the publishing world, with all its many segments and different kinds of roles. Hat tip to the wonderful founder of the DPI, Elizabeth Geiser.

“From there, I applied to a number of different jobs in academic and educational publishing, having quickly decided that the glitz and glam of the New York trade publishing scene was not a good fit. Luckily, I was called for an interview at what was then called Gale Research, and I began my 9-year career there as an assistant editor later that year, working in the Contemporary Authors department.

“In retrospect, it’s funny how library research, and books, and good fortune all combined to set me on a path that has led to the present day.”