alg | (no subject)

Good morning! I have been awake since six am, and wow! It is a beautiful day. I have the windows open, and there is a wonderful cold breeze blowing in. My bedroom window faces Manhattan, which means it faces the water, even though I can't see the water, and I get wonderful breezes -- although when it's freezing outside and the wind chill is, like, negative seventy-million, it's not so much fun.

(All I want this morning is a cup of coffee and a Danish. Wow, how bad do I want a Danish? Pretty badly. Instead I had a crescent roll. Not quite as good, but what's a girl to do?)

I want to thank again everyone who provided me with links and stories on Monday -- that was awfully nice of you guys and I really appreciate it! I am well on my way to recovering (especially now that my dentist has called in a new prescription for me, and I have much stronger painkillers, phew).

Now that I can focus for longer than 500 words, I am ready to write more about demystifying publishing.

I am really glad that these entries are helping y'all. And I am flattered that so many people are reading them -- I know I tend to be pedantic and long-winded, so it's amazing to me that you guys can get through these entries. *g*

I do want to remind you that these answers are by no means universal. Remember the first rule: Don't be an idiot.

Publishing is Hard!

Writing is an art, but publishing is a business -- and here are a few basic suggestions on how to navigate that business. Complete with explanations of various departments within a publishing company, and how they all work together to make your book. And, of course, my witty and charming commentary!

Thanks for reading; I hope this has helped at least some of you!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

As an author (my tenth book came out last month), I can tell you this is all spot-on and so very true. I have dealt with people in each of those departments and by treating them well, my life is easier, too. There is the occasional bad apple, someone who pulls a Simon Cowell on you just because they can, but overall, I would say that nearly everyone I have dealt with at the two houses I write for has been professional, kind and clearly doing this job because they love books.

Smart authors read blog entries like this and take it to heart, making it a point to learn everything they can about the business, both from their side of the fence and the publisher's. This is, in many ways, a partnership and if the author doesn't have a clue what happens once that manuscript is delivered, then it can only make things difficult.

I appreciate your honesty and know that you have done many authors a great favor in explaining the way this business works. It's an industry unto itself, without a doubt, but it's also one that I'd work in, even if they didn't pay me (though don't tell my editors that ;-)

Shirley Jump
www.shirleyjump.com

it's also one that I'd work in, even if they didn't pay me

You know, lots of people say that, but it's almost never true! Hee.

I'm so glad that even as a published author you find this helpful. Thanks so much for letting me know! :)

Shirley! Fancy meeting you here!

Congratulations on your tenth book! I remember the labor pains of the first.

Writers can never get too much insight into the publishing process - unless they sell the family car and home and become publishers themselves. ;-)

Not that you need it, but Jessica will be in the chat room at our old stomping grounds on Saturday, May 13. It would be nice if you had the time to drop in at 9 P.M. ET. (Never did a shameless plug on another website before. It feels good.)

Back on track - I'm much more responsive to people who yell and scream at the dreaded day job when they preface it all with "It's not your fault." That takes off some pressure and I can do my job.

Hmmm! Maybe I should work for Pineapple Press. LOL!

JudyB

(no subject)

Well said and so true

Re: Well said and so true

Re: Well said and so true