May 14, 2010

Don’t you wish you could be a spy at a publishing house? You could eavesdrop as the “powers that be” make publishing decisions, accepting this manuscript but rejecting another one.

Wouldn’t you love an inside track so you can understand the process behind acquisitions at traditional publishing houses?

Now’s Your Chance

You can do that today! Several publishing houses have given us a glimpse of what goes on during their publication board meetings. I hope you’ll take time to read these “behind the scenes” descriptions.

Here’s what happens at Peachtree Publishers.

And a Little, Brown editor shares her view.

Author and editor Harold Underdown explains the acquisitions process so well!

Taking the Fear Out

Sometimes the best thing you can do as a new writer is to educate yourself about the publishing process. So get yourself a cup of coffee or bowl of popcorn, settle back, and devour these articles.

The process may sound complicated–even daunting–the first time you read about it. But knowledge is power–and knowing what goes on behind closed doors at publishing houses can only help you in your quest for a traditional publisher.

10 Comments »

1. 

   Great info, Kristi! Thanks for sharing.

   Karin Larson
   http://www.karin-larson.blogspot.com

   Comment by Karin Larson — May 17, 2010 @ 6:11 am

2. 

   You’re welcome, Karin.

   Comment by Kristi Holl — May 17, 2010 @ 6:21 am

3. 

   I hear you Kristi.

   But sometimes it can be disheartening to learn too much at once. I did read one of the pieces you linked to about Little Brown, and I have to admit that while it was interesting and informative, it wasn’t popcorn eating material for me. In fact, it would make me lose my appetite for a long while.

   I think part of the reason many people feel hurt and annoyed with many of the changes publishing’s going through is that we’re having trouble knowing where we fit.

   On the one hand, self-promotion is becoming a standard way of life for writers, and while I honestly believe that you are your book’s own best advocate, not all of us are naturally business minded people. We know it’s important, but that doesn’t mean there’s not a harsh learning curve for some of us.

   At the same time so many things that make a great book are things out of a writer’s control.

   Things like covers, book design, illustrations, illustrators, even certain editorial decisions.

   I also find it very troubling that marketing’s has so much pull at these committee meetings. It seems to be the running gag nowadays that publishers would rather cut editorial staff versus other areas. I’ve realized in the past couple of years especially how editors today are much like writers in that we both work so hard at what we do, and yet so much of the process is out of our hands, yet we’re expected to do more than ever.

   Of course, there are exceptions to this, but that’s usually how it goes in the articles and interviews I’ve read. While I can understand some of the reasoning behind this formula, I think like everything else these days, changes are in order.

   With so much changing in publishing, I think we all need to be more open with each other.

   After all, we’re trusting a group of people whom we don’t know personally, to help our stories reach the world at large. Be it magazines, newspapers, or books.

   In the case of books, I’m a firm believer that any good business relationship goes both ways. If agents and editors are going to judge our merits as writers through queries and synopses, than we at the very least shouldn’t be left in the dark about so many aspects of producing a book.

   As someone who’s still hasn’t gotten past the query stage, let alone published anything, I probably don’t know certain things others know who have been through the process completely.

   But I do know I’ve read and heard enough stories to know that something has to change for the better. Maybe it’s time for marketing seminars for writers. I know there are many books for marketing, but sometimes it’s easier to learn something when you see it in action. If there are already some and I just haven’t heard about them, I need to know where they are.

   Comment by C.J. Rockwell — May 17, 2010 @ 8:12 am

4. 

   No, C.J., reading about the publishing industry and how it operates isn’t popcorn-eating material for anyone, including me. And yes, I imagine there ARE some writers who are naturally business-minded and market minded, but I have never personally met any. (I’m certainly not one myself!) But it’s like any job, I expect. There will parts of it that you LOVE, and there will be necessary parts of it that you either learn to like through enough repetition, or you just do it because it needs to be done.

   I don’t know of marketing seminars just for published writers, but at many writing conferences, there are workshops you can sign up for that deal with marketing. I’ve attended a number of them, back when I needed help setting up a blog, learning about book trailers, etc. I needed a very simplified “First, you do this” and “then you do this” class, along with worksheets to go by! The workshops were very helpful and run by a local gal who had done it and was willing to teach other writers how to do it. As I recall, it only cost me $10 and a trip downtown–the best $10 I’ve spent in a long time!

   Comment by Kristi Holl — May 17, 2010 @ 2:15 pm

5. 

   Very interesting information. I think understanding the process is always helpful – even if it is also painful!

   Comment by Julie Hedlund — May 17, 2010 @ 2:41 pm

6. 

   Julie, that is so true. Armed with knowledge, we are better off, even if the knowledge is unpalatable at first.

   Loved your blog, by the way. Great comments from Andrea–and very funny query advice!

   Comment by Kristi Holl — May 17, 2010 @ 2:58 pm

7. 

   Here’s one of the best articles I’ve read about WHY you need to education yourself–and how to do it.

   http://accrispin.blogspot.com/2007/05/victoria-strauss-learning-ropes.html

   Comment by Kristi Holl — May 17, 2010 @ 4:39 pm

8. 

   I read all the articles. They were informative and interesting. But, I’m still a bit confused. Maybe I missed something? Can you clarify my understanding? So, we get an editor to read our manuscript, whether through the slush pile or a query, and then before we ever hear back from them (the 3-9 month waiting period often worded as “responds only if interested”), the manuscript (assuming the editor actually wants it) has already gone through the entire acquisitions process and is therefore able to offer a contract? Is all this behind-the-scenes work to the writer? Does the writer actually participate in any of this? It seems to confirm to me, that it just has to be the right ms at the right place at the right time. It’s really all about a good match and good timing, aside from the necessities of any ms having to tell a good story and being able to make money for the business.

   Comment by Christie Wright Wild — May 17, 2010 @ 9:58 pm

9. 

   Christie, not every publishing house works exactly the same way, mostly because some of them have a larger staff, and the jobs are more “spread out.” But yes, before an author is offered a contract, the book has to pass through the whole process. That’s something we all need to understand. It used to be a “done deal” if an editor was taking your manuscript to the publication board. It was more a formality. But given the economy and changes in recent years, the marketing people have a lot more clout at pub board meetings. The bottom line of the profit and loss statement rules most times.

   And yes, you’re so right that it’s a matter of good timing and a good match, the right story at the right time. It’s always been that way though–always.

   And no, the writer doesn’t participate in the process. Maybe if you’re a million dollar seller author, you might get to participate. I have no idea about that!

   Comment by Kristi Holl — May 19, 2010 @ 7:36 am

10. 

    Thanks. Glad I understood. It doesn’t really change anything. But it’s helpful in not being so anxious and impatient. And if they don’t accept it, well it’s better off for everyone. Just not the right match. Better luck next time, right? Thanks, again.

    Comment by Christie Wright Wild — May 19, 2010 @ 10:47 pm

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