By The Keystone Newspaper Keystone copy editor shares plans for the future and advice to fellow writers
By John Mahoney
After only two and a half years at KU, senior student Byron Mantoan is graduating with a bachelor’s degree in professional writing, leaving his position of copy editor at the Keystone behind.
Photo Credit: Byron Mantoan
“I’m happy to have had the opportunity to build a portfolio of work that I can now show to employers,” Mantoan said. “Like a lot of these jobs will ask for clippings and so I’m glad that the Keystone has given me those opportunities, so I feel like I’m already more than prepared.”
Mantoan has said that Keystone advisor Dr. Michael Downing has been a great inspiration and motivating force for him, through both his journalism course and his guidance in the newspaper, helping him to further nurture a profound love for writing.
“Bryon was integral in revamping the Keystone’s copyediting process and workflow. Since his onboarding, the editing process has run more efficiently than it ever has during my time at the Keystone,” Keystone lead writer Kara Armstrong said. “He set a high standard for his successor, and his presence at the Keystone will be missed.”
“In my experience working alongside Byron for the Keystone, he always strived to preserve the creative voice I wielded in my articles. As an editor, this is one of his most crucial responsibilities,” Keystone staff writer Grant Rambo said. “And his work in refining and improving my and other student’s articles contributed beautifully not only to the Keystone website, but to the creative team of students itself.”
Other than his time with the Keystone, Mantoan had been a screenwriter for both the Spotlite and Cartoon and Animation clubs at KU. He is a passionate writer with a love for the Jersey shore, traveling and Cub Cafe’s chicken and waffles.
Mantoan has sung the praises of KU’s professional writing program, expressing his content with the many opportunities he has been given in his time with the university. His favorite courses were Dr. Downing’s journalism course, and Dr. Nurczynski’s magazine writing class.
Balancing seems to have been the biggest obstacle for Mantoan and his writing, as he notes how difficult it was to teeter between classwork and club activities. However, Mantoan’s habit of scheduling happened to prove more than valuable when it came to getting work done on time.
“It might not be practical advice for everybody, but I have a weekly calendar and a daily schedule. The day schedule keeps me productive, and the weekly schedule keeps me looking ahead,” Mantoan said.
Another helpful force in getting past any blockades at KU, according to Mantoan, were his professors.
“A lot of the professors here at Kutztown have had long careers before working here so I feel that has made them very strong professors and I’ve been able to learn a lot, stay on top of my work and enjoy all of my major courses,” Mantoan said.
With his resolute work ethic, as well as his time taking courses with Atlantic Cape Community College in high school, Byron managed to graduate a year and a half early.
When asked about his future goals, Mantoan emphasized a desire to work in the field of magazine writing, recounting a previous article he had written while travelling abroad.
“I wrote a travel article for magazine writing about two summers ago when I went to France,” Mantoan said. “When I look back on it now, I remember how many professors complimented me on it and the feeling I got from writing something that people enjoyed. It was something I really loved.”
A fan of sightseeing, Mantoan has his eyes set on all kinds of adventures for his future. On the topic of travel, Mantoan wishes to someday see the Gobi Desert of southern Mongolia and the vast mountains of Kyrgyzstan.
Finally, Mantoan left the following piece of advice for any writers coming into college: “I don’t mean this in a pessimistic way at all, but you have to be ready for rejection and failure as a writer. When you are submitting your work, you may only get 1 of 10 things published, if that. Do not take rejection personally; persistence is key in such a competitive field if you want to succeed.”