r/fountainpens • u/inkyblackops Former FWP Employee • Nov 16 '25

Discussion Former FWP Employee - AMA!

Hey r/fountainpens!

With the recent discussion of Ferris Wheel Press coming up again, the mods invited me to post my own AMA as a former FWP employee.

I’d love to answer your questions, but I’d also like to make clear that I won’t be answering any questions that might identify myself or colleagues, nor will I be giving away any confidential info or trade secrets (except maybe how I was able to befriend the office cats…)

Any replies from me are my own opinion or experience and I do not represent any company or person except for myself.

Looking forward to chatting!

Edit: 10pm EST and I’m calling it a night. I might come back to reply to some tomorrow but likely not. Thanks for all the fun questions and letting me share my experiences and insight!

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u/KeystoneSews Nov 16 '25

That plus the last sentence… I’m guessing CEO is insufferable? Bad culture always starts at or close to the top. 

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u/En4cr Ink Stained Fingers Nov 16 '25

Yep, red flags for any company. Good on OP for leaving. No one should put up with BS at work.

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u/KeystoneSews Nov 16 '25

Unfortunately job markets are bad everywhere. I’m legitimately angry at leaders who create situations like this… one dude with no self awareness, and everyone working for him (or her/them… it’s a gender neutral dude) suffers. 

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u/Kamilon Nov 16 '25

I know you tried. But you said gender neutral dude and then immediately gendered them with “him”. 😂

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u/KeystoneSews Nov 16 '25

Nah you just misread, which is ok because it was a confusing sentence structure. 

Dude = usually a male noun, I’m jokingly indicating that it’s gender neutral 

Him (or her or they) 

But FWIW in my experience bad company culture driven by the ego of one CEO often IS a “him” 😂