NESHAMINY CO-FOUNDER ABRAMSON RETIRES;
SULLIVAN ADVANCES TO PUBLISHER
Top leadership of Neshaminy: The Bucks County Historical and Literary Journal has changed with the retirement of Publisher Stuart Abramson. According to Don Swaim, the journal’s Executive Editor and co-founder, writer and editor Melissa A. Sullivan has moved into the position Abramson held for four years. Managing Editor William J. Donahue remains in the primary editorial role. Donahue is seeking to expand the editorial staff.
In the fall of 2019, Abramson, then President of the Doylestown Historical Society, collaborated with Swaim, founder of the Bucks County Writers Workshop, in forming the journal from the ground up.
Prior to his nine-year volunteer tenure with the DHS, Abramson worked in various management positions for multinational companies in the industrial controls business. Previously, he served as a Naval flight officer on P-3 Orion aircraft as part of the Navy’s anti-submarine warfare program.
Abramson (photo by Don Swaim)
Abramson is proud of his founding role in Neshaminy. He says, “In addition to providing creative opportunities for members of the Writers Workshop, the journal extends the Historical Society’s mission of preserving and celebrating the rich history of our area.”
Donahue says, “Stu has left an indelible mark on Neshaminy. His knowledge of and passion for Bucks County were instrumental in getting the journal off the ground and shaping its direction.”
Swaim notes that Sullivan, who was named Associate Editor in 2020, was his top choice to succeed Abramson, and that “she has both the zeal and the credentials.” Donahue says, “Sullivan has terrific ideas, a strong work ethic, and a great attitude. I’m confident her leadership will take Neshaminy forward.
Sullivan has a broad background as a freelance writer, copyeditor, and journalist. She earned a BA in English from Rutgers University and a law degree from Boston University. As an attorney, she focuses on mergers and acquisitions with Blume Partners, Bala Cynwyd.
Sullivan is working closely with the Doylestown Historical Society in expanding local distribution of the journal, boosting promotion and advertising, broadening participation in local events and lectures, and overhauling the journal’s website.
Sullivan (photo by Don Swaim)
The professionally-produced journal has received accolades for the quality of its Pennsylvania-themed articles, history, original fiction and poetry, and art. Bridget Wingert, Founding Editor of the Bucks County Herald, says, “...the contents are truly appealing. They are varied, informative, sometimes funny and charming, sometimes quite serious.”
Original paintings by local artists now grace the covers.
Neshaminy’s seventh issue was published this summer, and is available at the DHS gift shop, 56 S. Main Street, Doylestown, local bookshops, and directly from Amazon.com. It is actively seeking from writers submissions in all genres. Submission guidelines can be found at: Neshaminy Journal
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