PRO's mission statement is to provide networking opportunities and business/industry information to dedicated writers actively seeking publication. That doesn't mean, and was never intended to mean, that all of PRO's members are ready for prime time. It just means that they're given extra learning and networking opportunities to help inch them closer to the finish line. Coming up with a publishable manuscript is still ultimately the individual writer's responsibility; this is part of the reason why PRO doesn't provide craft workshops.
The way I see it, PRO tries to prepare writers to be able to hit the ground running when they make a sale. PRO bootcamps have trained writers in how to read publication contracts and how to build professional relationships. PRO has provided access to in-house and private publicists so that PRO members can learn how that part of the business operates. And so on, the point being that a PRO member will hopefully be more prepared and knowledgeable as a result of PRO's benefits.
Does that provide any tangential benefit to the publishers? You say no, and I have no reason to disagree, but frankly it's beside the point. In fact, I'd go so far as to say that in some ways, the PRO mission and the publishers' objectives are opposed to each other -- for example, in the area of basket accounting. Thankfully, these oppositional points are few.
But otherwise, I'd think it would be easier for an editor to work with a writer who has at least some foundational knowledge of the business end of the business. I guess you would disagree.
PRO
The way I see it, PRO tries to prepare writers to be able to hit the ground running when they make a sale. PRO bootcamps have trained writers in how to read publication contracts and how to build professional relationships. PRO has provided access to in-house and private publicists so that PRO members can learn how that part of the business operates. And so on, the point being that a PRO member will hopefully be more prepared and knowledgeable as a result of PRO's benefits.
Does that provide any tangential benefit to the publishers? You say no, and I have no reason to disagree, but frankly it's beside the point. In fact, I'd go so far as to say that in some ways, the PRO mission and the publishers' objectives are opposed to each other -- for example, in the area of basket accounting. Thankfully, these oppositional points are few.
But otherwise, I'd think it would be easier for an editor to work with a writer who has at least some foundational knowledge of the business end of the business. I guess you would disagree.