Yearbook editor Asia Harden’s passion for books takes her to into the publishing world
When Asia Harden sent the 2021 Ole Miss yearbook to press, she was closing the book on her college career. At the same time, she was beginning an entirely new journey as a book publisher.
Harden, a Greenville native and integrated marketing communications major at the University of Mississippi, loves books almost as much as she loves sharing her favorite books and authors with others. It’s why she joined the yearbook staff as a freshman, and it’s why she’s going to attend the Columbia Publishing Course after graduation.
The course is a six-week intensive introduction to the business side of publishing hosted by the Columbia Journalism School in New York City.
Harden splits her time finding the perfect book for customers at Square Books Jr. and organizing and editing the yearbook. And when she’s not working, she’s reading.
When she first walked into the S. Gale Denley Student Media Center, she saw the editors as larger-than-life figures. Not just college students, but people to aspire to.
“I thought they were rock stars,” she said, “I thought, ‘Wow! I can’t believe they’re putting this book together. They know so much.’ And it inspired me.”
Harden had a similar moment of inspiration this year as she worked with a publisher to get the yearbook printed, bound and in the hands of readers.
“It was so amazing to work with our publishing rep and get a sneak peek into that world,” she said. “I can’t wait for the books to come in and for everyone to see them.”
While the yearbook has been her biggest ongoing commitment, it’s hardly the only campus organization she’s invested in. The Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College student has served as an orientation coordinator, vice president of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., and member of the Columns Society. She also has been involved with RebelTHON, the Big Event and several civic organizations.
Publishing in a Pandemic
Since Harden and her staff had to write about so many serious topics – from police violence and protests to the global pandemic – they chose the theme “Silver Linings” and focused on the things the campus community and country as a whole have learned in the face of hardship.
She said her staff had to be nimble all year. They moved their operation from the media center to the cloud and found news ways to cover the college experience as it also moved online.
“There weren’t as many events to take photos,” she said.” We had to be creative in finding ways to highlight students, capture the weight of the year without it being dreary.”
Harden was the perfect choice for the difficult job, said Pat Thompson, assistant dean for student media and assistant professor of journalism.
“Writing, editing and leadership are her strengths,” Thompson said. “She makes good decisions. She’s bright, thoughtful and one of the most organized students I’ve ever seen.
“She hired a great team and they came up with a plan to produce an outstanding yearbook that overcame challenges and truly reflects this unusual year.”
Advocating for Representation
With the yearbook published and graduation on the horizon, Harden has her sights set on the next step: New York. But she isn’t just thinking about how she can be a part of the publishing scene; she’s thinking of ways she can help shape its future.
Reading Angie Thomas’s “The Hate U Give” was an influence on Harden’s love of reading and of book publishing. She said it stood out to her because African American women are not well-represented in the publishing world, especially not in booming young adult category.
Representation is not just an idea in Harden’s young career, it’s a reality. She is only the second African American yearbook editor in Ole Miss history.
For her Honors College thesis, Harden explored the topic of African American female readers and their perceptions of and representation in young adult literature.
Jennifer Simmons, assistant dean for student services in the School of Journalism and New Media, said she knew Harden was going to make an impact from the day she walked through the doors of Farley Hall for the first time.
“She has an infectious personality,” Simmons said. “And she’s determined. She’s a go-getter. The best way I can put it is that Asia is about her business.”
As Harden establishes herself in her career, Harden said she is confident with what she can bring to the industry.
“I know that I’m someone that can be a strong advocate for others,” she said. “And I’m in awe of writers who can build these ideas into worlds and books.”
Story by JB Clark/University Marketing & Communications
