Talked With A Major Publisher Today

Here is what he said

I just had a conversation with a publishing industry giant - also friend – who gave me forty-five minutes of insights about publishing as well as on a difficult decision of my own: who will be my next agent. While the conversation is fresh in my mind, I wanted to share with you a few thoughts that may be useful!

Some of the older, more established editors who have life experience in this ever-changing industry have either left or been squeezed out. Publishing houses are full of very young people right now, which means the business is in flux. To be fair, publishing has always skewed young and been in flux. I can remember when my own husband, a former publishing director at Penguin UK, said he was the only person with grey hair in the room, but apparently this is even more the case right now.

With new generations come new ways of working that may (or may not) be advantageous us writers. I’m guessing that energy, social media savvy, and trend-spotting may be easier for the young BUT we’ll be missing those whose industry experience offered wisdom and perspective from years of publishing.

It can take many novels to get that lucky break that launches an author into bestseller territory.

Some writers take a long time to sell well. My friend told me this outright, and what a relief.

Particularly in the area of crime fiction, writers who aren’t otherwise famous may find it difficult to get a foothold, but this is nothing new.  

In the past, publishers who have had the patience with a quality writer have been rewarded greatly. I won’t list the names of the authors for whom this has been the case, just because I think they’d want you to think they were winners right out of the gate, but know this: even some household names had long, rough beginnings.

We are talking MANY books to get established

If you are a novelist in any category, particularly in one that is lends itself well to writing a series, don’t be discouraged if you aren’t launched straight into stardom. Buckle up just in case the road ahead is somewhat…er…unsettling. Don’t despair. Imagine the great publishing stories you’re going to tell to writers just like you right now, who need encouragement in their own journey.

Know that some of our leading series writers took more than a few books to get established. They may have been barely making it with a dozen books before the tv series or film tie-in or whatever it was happened that meant that deserved spotlight finally focussed on them.  

What my publishing guru friend did not say, but what I am surmising, is that young editors, even in senior positions, may not have been around when many celebrity authors were still finding their feet. They may expect results that are the exception, not the norm. Just as writers need to be patient with themselves, editors should be realistic in their expectations - but will they? With so many books being offered to them on a plate, they may just move off us and onto another writer too early. This is their loss, as well as ours. But we mustn’t be discouraged by it.

I have worked with some of publishing’s most prestigious agents and benefitted greatly from their representation. However, talented agents have a kind of life cycle and at some point, they may become so big and successful (or have so much managerial responsibility) that they don’t have time for every one of their (many) dozens of clients. If you’re not the darling of their agency, or if they are simply so run off their feet that they don’t have time for you, either accept that they aren’t going to make time for you or decide to part ways.

New agents and those who aren’t as big (yet) have the disadvantage that publishers may not put the manuscripts they represent at the top of the read pile. On the other hand, publishing teams are now so young that new agent may actually have a better relationship with prospective editors simply because they are peers and meet up because they like one another. So, don’t write them off!

Finally, just know from me, who has been up, down, and all around with publishing and film options and films, nothing stays easy in this business. Instead of getting depressed, get curious. Instead of blaming yourself, know others have been exactly where you are. Look for answers around you. The change between obscurity and fame can seem sudden, but usually is not.

I hope this helped you. I am SO GLAD I reached out to chat with this lovely old friend of mine, who is well respected in his field. Know that I’m here if you want to reach out to me, not so much a giant, but still here for you.

Illustration by CDD20 on Pixabay