Mary Mann

Writing & Research Projects

Author, Yawn: Adventures in Boredom  (FSG Originals, May 2017)                                  

1/2015 – 5/2017

• Researched the concept of boredom through history, literature and interviews with experts and laypeople; personal experience served as the narrative spine

• Discussed boredom as featured guest on Marketplace, NPR Seattle’s On The Record, WNYC’s Brian Lehrer Show, and BYU Radio’s Matt Townsend Show, among others

• Excerpt from New York Times review of Yawn: “All I want is a distinct sense of — and an interest in — the person I’m listening to. And then I want to be slapped across the face with a haddock. Ms. Mann has both these qualities in spades. By trade a researcher (‘like being a private detective, without the danger and the sex’), the delightful Ms. Mann comes off as a funny, very hip nerd.”

Researcher, Stacy Schiff’s The Witches: Salem, 1692   (Little, Brown & Co, November 2015)         

3/2013 – 5/2015                                                  

• Tracked down sources and information for the Pulitzer-winning author of Cleopatra and Vera to prepare for her book about 16th century witch trials; utilized archives, academic databases and library collections in the United States and England

• Fact-checked and summarized research materials for easy reading, and confirmed all footnotes and citations in the finished manuscript

Associate Editor, Women in Clothes (Blue Rider Press, September 2014)                                 

5/2013 - 8/2014

• Collaborated with award-winning team of authors—Sheila Heti, Heidi Juavits, and Leanne Shapton—on brainstorming the content and shaping the structure for this New York Times bestselling collection of interviews, essays, survey responses, and images

• Communicated with and organized contributions of over six hundred contributors

• Conducted interviews and wrote multiple pieces that appear in the book, including interviews with a former Kansas rancher and with Rookie writer Amy Rose Spiegel

Professional Experience

Reference & Instruction, Brooklyn Historical Society                      

5/2018 - Present

• Aide patrons in research queries both in person and remotely, via phone and email; one of just two reference staff on desk during any given shift

• Process archival collections for researcher access using Microsoft Excel and Archive Space; projects include: Mixed ephemera collection ARC.314, Mixed manuscript collection 1974.037, finding homes for orphaned materials

• Create and publish LGBTQ+ History research guide to accompany exhibit

• Began as Reference and User Services Fellow in August 2018; promoted to Reference Associate in February 2019

 Writing Associate & Journal Advisor, The Cooper Union                       

1/2016 - 8/2018

• Guided ongoing students in the development, editing and understanding of various communications: includes reading literary texts, studying and writing research papers, and navigating art projects

• Advised students and liaised with faculty to found grant-funded student-run journal, Union; hired student editors and help them establish what Union will be and how to run it - from finding the right printer and submissions service to drafting the call for submissions to beginning a wiki for future editors

Freelance Researcher                                                                           

3/2013 - Present

Search for, summarize and organize project materials—from images to historical records to input from experts—for a variety of clients, primarily writers and artists (see "Writing and Research Projects" for specific examples)       

Staff Writer, Micato Safaris                                                                   

4/2011 - 8/2012

Crafted the brochure for this award-winning travel company, built sections of the company website, and maintained the company blog; traveled to Kenya in 2011 to interview beneficiaries of Micato Safaris educational nonprofit, AmericaShare

Selected Writing Samples

Outside Magazine researched essay, How to Turn Boredom into a Performance Enhancer

Slate researched essay, Pay Attention!

The New York Times researched personal essay, The Secret Life of a Poll Worker

Los Angeles Review of Books critical essay, John Cage’s Endless Project

The Believer critical essay, (Untitled): A Return to Ray Johnson (cover story)

Smithsonian interview and show review, A Look Into the Innovative Mind of One of the World's Most Inventive Architects

Matter researched essay, Everybody Smiley Poops  (recommended by Longreads)

Salon personal essay, Yoga, Spinning and a Murder: Strange Months at Lululemon (recommended by Reddit, Huffington Post, Cosmopolitan, and Autostraddle, among others)

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Honors

Excellence in Academic Achievement Award, Pratt Institute, New York, NY                                             2019

Presenter, QQML Conference, Florence, Italy                                                     2019

Grant, Pratt Graduate Student Engagement Fund, New York, NY                         2019

Scholarship, Pratt Institute, New York, NY                                                 2018-2019

Guest Speaker, Peddie School Chapel, Hightstown, NJ                                         2018

Writing Jury, Vermont Studio Center, Johnson, VT                                     2017 & 2019

Fellowship, Rona Jaffe Foundation, New York, NY                                                   2017

o   Funded residency at Vermont Studio Center, Johnson, VT

Residency, Catwalk Institute, Catskill, NY                                                                2015

Fellowship, Columbia School of the Arts, New York, NY 2012-2014