People Moving and Shaking
Someone recently asked me this about a post I wrote about the industry. I said (in point number three) that editors and agents and publicists and marketing folks move around a lot.
Here's the question: Hi Mary, I'm wondering if you could clarify number three? I apologize for my ignorance, but by 'move' do you mean come into the market or leave it, or change positions within?
The answer to your questions is YES on all fronts. This is a very elastic, dynamic business:
- Agents become publishers.
- Editors become agents.
- Authors become agents. (Hey, I should do this!)
- Editors at one house become editors at another house.
- Marketing peeps become PR reps somewhere else.
- An editor becomes a big honcho editor in the same publishing house.
- A publisher becomes restful and retires.
Knowing this going in will greatly benefit you. Why? Because you must anticipate that your "baby" might get dropped. The hero editor who champions your book may end up editing somewhere else. The stellar marketing team who loves your book may pick up and leave.
It's happened to me. And my sales have terribly suffered in the midst of several large transitions of staff. It was a bummer (and still is), but thankfully, I knew the possibility of it going into this publishing adventure.
What are the lessons to be learned? Several:
- DO NOT BURN BRIDGES. That editor you had a tiff with may end up championing your book someday. Truly consider if it's worth it to be "right."
- Remember the sovereignty of God. Though I busted my patootie to sell two of my books, even getting to the final stages of the Oprah process (thanks to a great publicist) for one, my books didn't sell. I have to rest in God's sovereign plan. He knows what is best for me, and He knows whether those books will fly or die. I have to trust Him and His perfect timing.
- Find an anchor in the chaos. Things will change. If you're averse to change, either don't go into publishing, or learn to go with the flow. Trust that God will agent your career.
- Consider this might be you someday. Not everyone stays in one place forever. Including you. Maybe God is moving you from writing full time to editing. Or He has gifted you to do PR or web design for authors. Don't be so stubborn in your belief that God has called you to write that you don't see the other opportunities around you. And, truly, many of the other options offer the beauty of a steady income!
- Don't become hyper-needy. If someone leaves in the middle of your project, be professional. Find out who you will report to, do everything you can to make that new person's life pleasant. Consider writing a thank you to your old editor. But please don't whine. Think about how that new person might be feeling. He/she is probably overwhelmed with a new job.
Great question! Does anyone else have advice for enduring this transitional industry?
www.marydemuth.com, www.relevantblog.blogspot.com, www.wannabepublished.blogspot.com
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