Profile: Allison Truj

Allison Truj is the assistant director of production and design at Ploughshares. They work as a designer and art director, overseeing and creating not only the printed journal, Ploughshares, but also the organization’s eBooks. They are also responsible for designing print and digital versions of ads, direct mail pieces, and annual reports. They also fulfill any other in-house needs that arise, such as designing a water bottle for a fundraising campaign or booth signage for a conference. 

Truj works closely with their colleagues during the design process so they are aligned on the strategy and messaging for publications. They work with the managing editor on bigger projects, such as direct mail, and they work with the business manager to create fundraising materials and annual reports. 

Producing and printing the journal is a juggling act that Truj has perfected over the years. They work on three issues at once, as they explained: “I’m finishing up the eBook of our Spring Issue and making sure it’s released to the proper channels; I’m typesetting and sending proofs to the authors in the Summer issue; and I’m formatting documents for the Fall issue to send to our copyeditor.”

Truj manages production of the quarterly journal, which entails overseeing a freelance copyeditor’s work and sending proof galleys to around 100 authors each year. They also process the print orders with the printer and proof the hard-copy proofs. They have a hand in the Ploughshares website as well, creating graphics for issue release announcements, contests, and other online marketing strategies. They also create graphics and content for social media campaigns.

Truj was hired at Ploughshares the day after they graduated from Emerson with a BA in Writing, Literature and Publishing in 2015. One of their favorite things about working here is the opportunity to work and interact with Emerson students who intern with the journal. They said, “I’ve worked with hundreds of students at this point, and I’m always so impressed by Emersonians’ talent, drive, and creativity! I love watching them go on to excel in their careers in publishing and beyond.”

Truj’s family moved frequently when they were young before eventually settling in Bethlehem, PA. Currently, Truj lives in Boston’s Jamaica Plain neighborhood with their fiancé, Brian, and two best friends (one of whom also works at Emerson).

Like many Emersonians, Truj enjoys many creative pursuits outside of the office. Before the pandemic, they participated in the Boston Poetry Slam scene, representing Boston at the National Poetry Slam in 2018 and as a semi-finalist. They are still a poet, although they don’t perform as often anymore. They also love to create photo and video projects for social media, including TikToks of performing “prom songs” that are reimagined as breakup songs. And foodies, take note: With their fiancé, they have recorded 62 episodes of a podcast about breakfast food called Most Important Meal.

Nancy Howell (Communications and Marketing)