There’s one thing I think we all—editors, agents, writers, and published authors—can take for granted from time to time during the submissions and acquisitions process. But I think we can all take it down a notch and recognize this one thing—process breeds relationship. Or, maybe I should say, process can breed relationship.
With all the hustle and bustle and demands of the market, we sometimes forget that we are people involved with connecting to other people at some of the deepest, most intimate levels—our passions.
Over the last year or so, I have found myself involved in acquisitions more and more, and what brings me such joy is that I am connecting with and sharing in people’s dreams. I have the privilege of listening to these very special stories that each impact me in their own special way. It is awesome to see their diversity of expression and the various views many have written—some on the same topic. Then there’s the eating together, the e-mails, the cards, the laughter, the butterflies in my stomach (writers aren’t the only ones a little scared), the Facebook posts, the tweets… I really could go on.
Acquisitions is not only about a publishing house meeting this season’s budget or an author becoming an overnight celebrity, but it is also about a meeting of the minds, opportunities to influence culture, and even a chance to share in someone else’s life journey.
I think we should think about these things more. If we thought more like this, I could see more of a community begin to form where editors and agents are not ogres and writers’ pitches are not time wasters. If you’re a writer, you should read my other post called “Editors Are People Too” and see that editors can closely relate to your struggle with pitching ideas and preparing queries. We have to do the same thing, and we get turned down a lot too.
It’s unfortunate that some of the decision-makers respond to pitches as if they themselves have never been rejected or as if they never were nervous when making a presentation that felt like it could make or break them.
On the flip side, publishing houses are not just there to used by “writers” as a get-rich-quick scheme. While I am not addressing those who do not see publishing this way, I have actually been told by a querying author that if we weren’t going to pay him to do his book so that he didn’t have to work then he saw no value in publishing. All right then, sir with no platform or real passion for writing.
It probably can’t be said enough that publishers are taking a risk by partnering with a new author, and they have a strong vested interest in seeing the author grow and come into his/her own. The goal is not to destroy art and creativity, but to corral it and aim it to benefit as many readers as possible. Consider that what’s behind the “big machine” of publishing are people who use their talents and expertise to pour into the success of the author. They too have an attachment to seeing their efforts take flight.
There are those few authors who see this, and they are some of the favorites amongst the book publishing teams. They understand people power. They are thought of first when opportunities for new book ideas or imprint growth and expansion are discussed.
It’s the editor who connects with an author in a special way, who gets introduced or recommended to that author’s writer friend, and together they produce a best seller.
It’s the writer who was specially gifted and surrounded by this unique awareness but didn’t necessarily fit with this one agent, but they get recommended to another agent who has the perfect place for them.
Maybe I’m an idealist, but at least there’s something to strive for.
Beyond acquisitions and queries, we’re just people with dreams, with gifts and talents, with a desire to be understood and accepted… And when we connect on that level we are able to help each other leverage the right opportunities that lead to our collective success.
I’ve come to appreciate the relationships I’ve formed with some new writers this year. Perhaps I wasn’t able to sell their idea to the team, but I am in one way or another invested in and rooting for their success. I remember them. I think of them often. I have their thank-you notes posted on my wall and keep a file full of their e-mails. I value them.
Acquisitions is about relationships. Who can I connect with today?