Friday, May 20, 2005
They're Just Not That Into Them - And Neither Am I
Over at his blog, BookAngst, "Mad Max Perkins," a pseudonym for a senior editor at a major publishing house, airs the grievances of two authors - one previously published, one as-yet-unpublished - unable to sell their current projects.
Mad Max responds:
As an editor, as a member of the industry about which both examples are ranting, I found myself reacting unfavorably - even (I confess) unsympathetically - to the Rants and their authors. My first impulse was to walk on by - neither respond nor to post them...It's not that I disagree with them wholly, or that I can't see merit in their respective perspectives. Yes, there are obstacles (lots) to access; yes, the publishing industry, like the culture generally, is disposed toward youth, hipness, currency, platform, etc., sometimes to the detriment of those with more experience and perspective but less likely, say, to win a guest-host's squat on OPRAH.
On the other hand, if these represent the ways in which (some) writers reach out to the publishing industry, and if said industry (represented by Max) is put off by the strategies these writers employ, then these strategies aren't working...And maybe (I'm not certain, but maybe) this justifies my turning the bright lamp of the Rant back upon its creators.
Funny, my first impulse was to rant myself - has either of these authors (or their agents) even considered submitting his or her proposal to an independent publisher??? Their rants left me with the impression that they hadn't. Or are they so hung up on "hitting it big" with a major house that they'd rather their latest work remain unpublished than stoop to the level of publishing with a smaller independent?
For a moment, I thought: should I try and contact these authors (I was particularly interested in the plight of the previously published author, and truthfully, the topic on which he or she writes) and offer them a chance? But no, ultimately, I'm just not that into them either. For now, I'm tired of ranting and raving about the many strengths of independents -the intimate working relationship, substantial author input in all aspects of the publishing process, no such thing as "mid-list" authors (at least at Barricade), agents welcome but not a necessity, etc. (Note to Ranting Unpublished Author - some independents actually make time to sort through slush! I know because I used to read unsolicited submissions as a Barricade intern, and, in fact, still do sometimes)
Anyway, I think we're moving closer and closer to the time when authors and their agents will get wise to this on their own.
- Jen Itskevich
Mad Max responds:
As an editor, as a member of the industry about which both examples are ranting, I found myself reacting unfavorably - even (I confess) unsympathetically - to the Rants and their authors. My first impulse was to walk on by - neither respond nor to post them...It's not that I disagree with them wholly, or that I can't see merit in their respective perspectives. Yes, there are obstacles (lots) to access; yes, the publishing industry, like the culture generally, is disposed toward youth, hipness, currency, platform, etc., sometimes to the detriment of those with more experience and perspective but less likely, say, to win a guest-host's squat on OPRAH.
On the other hand, if these represent the ways in which (some) writers reach out to the publishing industry, and if said industry (represented by Max) is put off by the strategies these writers employ, then these strategies aren't working...And maybe (I'm not certain, but maybe) this justifies my turning the bright lamp of the Rant back upon its creators.
Funny, my first impulse was to rant myself - has either of these authors (or their agents) even considered submitting his or her proposal to an independent publisher??? Their rants left me with the impression that they hadn't. Or are they so hung up on "hitting it big" with a major house that they'd rather their latest work remain unpublished than stoop to the level of publishing with a smaller independent?
For a moment, I thought: should I try and contact these authors (I was particularly interested in the plight of the previously published author, and truthfully, the topic on which he or she writes) and offer them a chance? But no, ultimately, I'm just not that into them either. For now, I'm tired of ranting and raving about the many strengths of independents -the intimate working relationship, substantial author input in all aspects of the publishing process, no such thing as "mid-list" authors (at least at Barricade), agents welcome but not a necessity, etc. (Note to Ranting Unpublished Author - some independents actually make time to sort through slush! I know because I used to read unsolicited submissions as a Barricade intern, and, in fact, still do sometimes)
Anyway, I think we're moving closer and closer to the time when authors and their agents will get wise to this on their own.
- Jen Itskevich
# posted by Barricade Books Inc. @ 11:58 AM 
Comments:
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Late response, but valid nonetheless, I think the idea that authors want to hit it big is unfortunately true. We all dream of sitting across from Oprah and flashing our title during her Book Club segment. However, not all of us are so eager to share a cup of cocoa and forsake our ideals. Yet, for those who do, they miss out on the opportunity a small press can offer. I am a small-time editor who continually has to explain to hopefuls to be realistic - not that I aim to crush hope or dismantle dreams, but it needs to be stated clearly that their first book - how ever genius the work, is most likely not going to on sale at B&N any time soon.
Indeed, larger editors and literary agents commit the crime of pumping up the ambitions and egos of authors - especially new ones. I agree with you that their rants do fall on deaf ears if they do not make every effort to shop a client's manuscript around in all avenues possible (i.e., small publishers).
Olivia
Blog: Planet Zia
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Indeed, larger editors and literary agents commit the crime of pumping up the ambitions and egos of authors - especially new ones. I agree with you that their rants do fall on deaf ears if they do not make every effort to shop a client's manuscript around in all avenues possible (i.e., small publishers).
Olivia
Blog: Planet Zia
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