AUC Welcomes Veerle De Laet as New Executive Director of AUC Press

Veerle De Laet has been named executive director of AUC Press, the leading English-language publisher in the Middle East. 

Before coming to AUC, De Laet served as managing director and publisher at Leuven University Press in Leuven, Belgium. “AUC Press is a great publishing house with a long history, excellent reputation and appealing international setting,” De Laet said. “Joining was a clear next step in my publishing career.”

Arriving in Cairo less than a month ago, De Laet, Belgium native is optimistic about living and working in the heart of Egypt’s capital. “Coming here is a huge adventure,” she said. “This is my first time in Egypt and in the Middle East. I trust that I will find my way here and that it will be a very positive experience.”

News@AUC sat down with De Laet to learn more about her background and interests.

Tell us about your career experience before joining AUC Press.

I have a background as a cultural historian and started my professional career as a researcher. After that, I entered the world of academic publishing, first as an acquisitions editor then as a managing director and publisher. 

What do you enjoy most about working in academic publishing?

As a former researcher who is now advancing the research of others, it is fulfilling to publish new insights and knowledge to a larger audience. I also enjoy the teamwork aspect of academic publishing; it’s something you don't do on your own, but rather together with a lot of people.

The work is also intellectually fulfilling. Personally, I couldn't work in a publishing house in which decisions, for instance, are mainly made on commercial motives or arguments. For me, as a former academic scholar, the content really matters. The mission-driven aspect of the publishing program is very dear to me.

What will your day-to-day look like at AUC Press?

My role is to oversee all operations at the press. I am also, of course, involved in advancing its publishing program, distribution, regional and global reach and impact. Navigating the constantly evolving world of academic publishing is also an essential part of my work.

It is not, however, a one-woman show. Publishing always is a joint effort. The ties may come together in my role, but of course, it is thanks to the many departments within the press staffed with qualified experts.

What are your priorities in the coming year?

My very first priority is getting acquainted. Then I will work to expand collections lists; add new fields of research, book series and publishing programs; and explore different formats like digital publishing and open-access publishing. This is something I’m quite experienced with, and I think it will be a relevant addition to what AUC Press is already doing.

On a more personal level, I am looking forward to reading Middle Eastern authors. I recently bought a collection of short stories by Yusuf Idris. I also saw a book review on AUC Instructor Noor Naga’s If an Egyptian Cannot Speak English. I would love to read it. 

How have you found Egypt so far?

The Egyptians I’ve met so far are very generous and warm. I’ve found everyone eager to communicate, which I very much like. In a sense I feel almost at home. I trust that I will find my way here and that it will be a very positive experience.

What food have you enjoyed the most since coming here?

I still have to explore Egyptian cuisine. But in terms of drinks, I love sahlab. It’s like a dessert and a drink.

Do you have a favorite book?

Too many to mention. I can instead share with you the top three books I’ve read lately: The Shadow King by Maaza Mengiste, Afterlives by Abdulrazak Gurnah and Circe by Madeline Miller.

I think that many of us are biased toward Western literature, so I very much love to read works of fiction and nonfiction from other regions of the world. 

What else do you enjoy doing?

I sing and play the violin. I would like to try to learn singing with the ornamentation or style found in Arabic music.

I also love listening to music. I’m a jazz lover. There are some excellent musicians with a Middle Eastern background that I’d like to mention here: Ghalia Benali, a Tunisian singer living in Belgium; Dhafer Youssef, a Tunisian composer who comes from a family of muezzins; and finally Tamino, a Belgian-Egyptian singer.

What is a fun fact about yourself?

I have exactly the same blue beanie as Charles Lloyd, the jazz musician. I realized this when I saw him performing last fall in London. It was cold that day, and I was wearing my beanie. And when he got on stage, he was wearing the same beanie. I’m really proud of it because I’m a big fan