Irsa IRFAN
Summary
Creative Writing graduate with a background in managerial, administrative, and editorial work through volunteering. Currently leading operations in an independent literary magazine. Excellent verbal and written communication skills in teamwork to maximize quality of projects and meet tight deadlines. Strict standards, detail-oriented, and able to learn and adapt quickly in a fast-paced working environment.
Overview
3
3
Languages
1
1
Certification
5
5
years of post-secondary education
4
4
years of professional experience
Work history
Co-Founder, Editor
Roots Literature Magazine
Remote
2026.01 - Current
- Spearhead operations by distributing responsibilities to team members to properly establish the zine.
- Manage calendars for team meetings and key dates for the zine, and scheduled social media posts (Substack, Instagram, LinkedIn).
- Write copy for and manage Instagram account and outreach.
Rights Assistant
The Emma Press
Birmingham, West Midlands
2024.11 - 2026.08
- Researched relevant publishing houses in Western Europe and East Asia in regard to The Emma Press’s specialties and interests.
- Entered translation rights agent information into Google Sheets to compile a database of relevant contacts.
Organisational Committee Member
DIY Arts Festival 2025
Birmingham, UK
2024.10 - 2025.03
- Oversaw the University’s Arts Festival and ensured proper written and verbal communication between the participating groups.
- Liaised with faculty members and committee about event management and venue setup.
- Tracked group activities and ensured thorough communication with groups.
- Attended and minuted meetings, utilising written and verbal communication to regularly relay updates to the team.
Editor
DIY Arts Festival 2023-25
Birmingham, UK
2022.10 - 2025.03
- Managed submissions, content editing and design layout via Adobe InDesign for two student-led self-published literary magazines.
- Maintained efficient communication with editing team members as well as staff while keeping content updated at all times.
- Oversaw the production and distribution of over 60 copies at the Festival.
Education
Master of Arts - Creative Writing
University of Birmingham
Birmingham 2024.09 - 2025.10
Bachelor of Arts - English & Creative Writing
University of Birmingham
Birmingham, BIR 2020.09 - 2023.06
Foundation Degree in Arts - Business, Law & Social Sciences
Kaplan International Pathways
London 2019.09 - 2020.06
Skills
- Google Workspace, MS Office 365, Adobe InDesign
- Research & Fact-checking
- Organisation and Management
- Attention to Detail
- Copywriting
- Teamwork and Collaboration
- Meticulous Proofreading and Editing
Certification
- Academic Publishing with Taylor & Francis – delivered by Springpod, Springpod, August 2026
- Your Future, Edited – Penguin Virtual Work Experience - delivered by Springpod, Springpod, June 2026
Languages
English
Fluent
Urdu
Native
Thai
Elementary
HOBBIES AND INTERESTS
reading (poetry, mystery, crime, fantasy), watching films, writing (prose, poetry, screenwriting), language learning (currently Thai)
Timeline
Co-Founder, Editor
Roots Literature Magazine
2026.01 - Current
Rights Assistant
The Emma Press
2024.11 - 2026.08
Organisational Committee Member
DIY Arts Festival 2025
2024.10 - 2025.03
Master of Arts - Creative Writing
University of Birmingham
2024.09 - 2025.10
Editor
DIY Arts Festival 2023-25
2022.10 - 2025.03
Bachelor of Arts - English & Creative Writing
University of Birmingham
2020.09 - 2023.06
Foundation Degree in Arts - Business, Law & Social Sciences
Kaplan International Pathways
2019.09 - 2020.06