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As managing editor of Nimbus Publishing and Vagrant Press in Halifax, NS, Whitney Moran guides authors through the key stages of publishing a book.

鈥淪o much of the job is relationship building,鈥� says Moran. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a lot of conversations with authors at different stages of the process.鈥�

It鈥檚 a job that requires empathy and a meticulous eye for detail, qualities Moran cultivated during her time at 抖阴Pro.

Originally from Yarmouth, NS, Moran planned to become a teacher, but soon discovered her passion for English.

鈥淚 just wanted to spend as much time talking about literature as possible,鈥� she says.

As a first-generation student, Moran initially found her transition to university life intimidating. However, she quickly discovered that her professors were genuinely invested in her academic growth and eager to see her succeed. While several professors left a lasting impact, she says it was Dr. Deborah Wills鈥� creative writing seminar that best prepared her for her eventual career.

鈥淭hat was really what prepared me to become an editor,鈥� she says, adding that learning to critique other people鈥檚 work and receiving critique in turn was a formative experience. 鈥淚t really trains you to articulate what鈥檚 working and what isn鈥檛 working, and to look for the piece鈥檚 potential.鈥�

Reviewing submissions, Moran says she isn鈥檛 looking for perfection 鈥� she鈥檚 looking for potential.

鈥淧eople aren鈥檛 sending you finished manuscripts. They鈥檙e sending their manuscript as far as they can take it, and they really need another set of eyes at that point. As difficult as I found critiquing other people鈥檚 work and receiving critique, it was a great learning experience.鈥�

After graduation, Moran took a gap year before pursuing a Master of Arts in English at Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, ON. She eventually returned to Nova Scotia and joined the Nimbus team in 2012, launching a career she had never imagined for herself but which ultimately proved to be the perfect fit.

鈥淚 didn鈥檛 find my way here on purpose,鈥� she says. 鈥淚t just sort of worked out that the vigorous academic standards, the generosity and attention of the professors, and the wide range of courses created this perfect environment for a growing editor. Mount A really felt like a place where I was allowed to finally figure out who I was.鈥�

With more than 50 titles per year, Nimbus is the largest English-language publisher east of Toronto. In 2017, it was named one of the fastest growing publishers in North America by Publishers Weekly, and subsequently doubled its output 鈥� until the pandemic. Yet, despite the challenges, it also brought an unexpected positive shift for book publishers and sellers, who saw a renewed interest in books and heightened support for local businesses.

鈥淚t鈥檚 heartening to see people are still spending their money on books,鈥� says Moran. 鈥淪o many people supported local publishing and local bookstores during the pandemic, and I really hope that continues because it鈥檚 such an important part of every community.鈥�

As a platform for regional stories, Nimbus plays an important role in amplifying Atlantic Canadian narratives, an endeavour Moran sees as increasingly vital, especially as larger corporations prioritize international content over Canadian voices. She hopes that Nimbus continues to highlight Atlantic Canadian experiences, in all of its nuance.

鈥淥ur core mandate has always been to share Atlantic Canadian stories, but what that means is constantly changing, and that鈥檚 something that we鈥檙e trying to showcase 鈥� that it鈥檚 not homogeneous. It鈥檚 not a singular voice,鈥� she says. 鈥淭here are many cultures [in the Maritimes], and we could always do a better job, but we want to reflect the realities of lived experiences here, and make sure that our stories are available not only for locals, but for people everywhere.鈥�

An important part of that mission is nurturing new voices as well.

鈥淲e鈥檙e trying to create a legacy and make sure that we鈥檙e always a home for new authors,鈥� says Moran. 鈥淲e just want to be a safe and supportive environment for people who are entering the publishing landscape, because it can be really intimidating.鈥�

Being a small, independent publisher comes with its challenges, but also has its perks. For Moran, it鈥檚 the people.

鈥淲e have an incredible team,鈥� she says. 鈥淎s hard as the job is, I really feel lucky to be able to do what I do. I鈥檝e met so many incredible people over the years and I don鈥檛 take that lightly. When I look back on it all, it feels like there鈥檚 an element of fate involved in a lot of it, and I鈥檓 grateful.鈥�