The End Is Always Out There
At this year’s RWA Conference in Atlanta I met a bunch of new and new-to-me authors. Most were smart, funny, charming, talented and all that good stuff. Then there was one of the other kind… I’m sure this lady is smart, funny, charming and talented. Unfortunately, she hid those traits behind a perfumed wall of entitlement.
The author - I’ll call her Susie Q since that is not even close to her real name - started in epublishing. She now is with a NYC publisher. If you are stopping by here then you aren’t her, so don’t think I’m talking about you. She isn’t listed on my sidebar and doesn’t visit. Honestly, I’m not sure she even knows there are other authors out there other than her. Yeah, she’s one of those. Knows everything. Acts as if she runs the publishing industry. In general, she takes herself a bit too seriously. She’s lost sight of the fact she’s new and has much to learn - including tact and humility.
I thought about Susie Q yesterday when I received a few emails asking if I knew anything about the rumors of Red Dress Ink (Harlequin’s chick lit line) closing. I don’t actually publish with RDI, so all I’ve heard is the rumors. The rumors: RDI has canceled several books it previously bought and scheduled. These books are written, most have been turned in, and the authors are out of luck as well as being out of work, at least temporarily. Not sure what this means, but it doesn’t sound good. Anyone following along and watching the steady decline of chick lit sales shouldn’t be a surprised. And, anyone following along and watching the turmoil at Harlequin shouldn’t be all that shocked either.
So, Susie Q….See, Susie Q is new but views herself as one of The Chosen. Susie Q seems to believe that she is invincible and that everyone loves her. That now she has arrived, she can’t fail - ummm, wrong.
I don’t understand Susie Q. Every single day that goes by in which my editor doesn’t call to tell me she made an accident by publishing me is a great day. Really. My writer insecurities may be more extreme than the norm, but in a way they’re healthy. I know this could all end. I know being published is a wonderful and precarious thing. I know there will always be someone who sells better, has more readers, gets better book deals and earns more impressive reviews. I know envy/jealousy over the careers of other authors is normal and acceptable so long as the envy/jealousy doesn’t cross over into pathology. I know my publisher could drop me, my imprint could close or my editor could lose interest or change jobs and leave me behind.
In other words, I know it could end tomorrow. Acting as if I’ve conquered the publishing world seems like nothing more than a one-way ticket to being formerly published. Being secure is fine. Healthy even. Being a pompous ass just makes you a…well, pompous ass. If the rumors about RDI are true - and I think they are - as tragic as the line’s difficulties are, they may be a needed reminder that we’re all vulnerable. I just wonder if those who need the warning are capable of heeding it.
August 22nd, 2006 at 8:23 am
It’s not just the publishing industry that is precarious these days. I don’t think that “job security” exist anywhere or in any field.
I’ve learned in the past that whenever I thought I had “arrived,” in reality I had just missed the bus.
August 22nd, 2006 at 9:02 am
Here’s where a misspent youth upon the stage comes in handy — when I was acting, every time a show closed, I worried that I’d never work again.
Nothing is ever settled and nothing is forever. We need to enjoy the ride, learn what we can from the journey, hen accept the next phase when it comes.
August 22nd, 2006 at 9:13 am
The iron rice bowl doesn’t exist in Asia any more, much less in publishing!
HelenKay, I’m not pubbed yet, but somehow, I don’t think your writer insecurities are more extreme than the norm.
August 22nd, 2006 at 11:45 am
Just another example of there is no such thing as a sure thing when it comes to jobs. I can’t begin to count the many times that I have thought I was secure in my job only to lose it shortly afterwards. Anyone who becomes pompous , like Susie Q and thinks they are irreplaceable is looking for a fall.
August 22nd, 2006 at 1:05 pm
NO ONE IS EXPENDABLE. I DONT BELIEVE THERE IS JOB SECURITY IN ANY FIELD. SO MISS SQ, DONT GET TOO COCKY. THE FALL IS A LONG WAY DOWN.
AND HELENKAY, I DONT THINK YOU HAVE TO WORRY WITH THE WONDERFUL BOOKS YOU WRITE!
August 22nd, 2006 at 2:04 pm
I don’t think there is job security in any field of employment.
August 22nd, 2006 at 2:18 pm
Um, wow. I’m pretty sure nobody’s safe unless you’re an NYT bestseller, and even then, well, if it were me I’d be socking money into a savings account, IRA, etc. Change is the nature of the business.
August 22nd, 2006 at 7:32 pm
I have to agree with a few others here. I lost my job last year after having worked at the company for thirteen years. I don’t think anyone who works is safe today. I just do the best that I can and hope that I can keep getting a paycheck for as long as I can.
August 22nd, 2006 at 9:00 pm
I love the quote that goes something like - methinks he protests too much. I always tend to think that the Susie Q’s of the world who come across so pompass are possibly the most insecure of all. They have no real faith that what they believe or do is good and I think are really trying to convince not only others but themselves the most. So I really pity them (which they would really hate lol).
August 22nd, 2006 at 11:17 pm
I’m pretty sure I know who you’re talking about. If I’m right, you’re not the first person who has made this observation. :-O
August 26th, 2006 at 12:43 am
Wow, I can’t imagine who you are talking about. Everyone I know in publishing is terrified of never getting another contract. Everyone, even the people doing really well writing for different markets and publishers and genres and making beaucoup bucks. We all just keep waiting for the other shoe to drop.
By the way, congratulations on getting another contract!
Especially the people who started out in E and moved to NYC. I think that more than anyone they know how hard it can be at a small pub and bless whatever higher powers gave them an opportunity to try things out at a larger publisher. Most of the people I know like that are still keeping in touch with their small pubs — because you never know.
August 27th, 2006 at 10:11 am
yay more hkd books to come!
August 27th, 2006 at 10:12 am
oops, damn, i left the comment on the wrong post.
*sigh* need coffee
August 27th, 2006 at 12:15 pm
Holy crap. Who is that dumb? Now I’m dying to know since I wasn’t at Nationals. Since I come from epub and am just about to launch into NY publishing, I know how damn lucky I am, and how fleeting this all can be.
And I feel those fears you do. It’s a big big world out there and just stepping to the water’s edge is scary. I worry about everything. This first mainstream book. The follow up I’m writing. Juggling multiple publishers now. Reader reaction. Can I do this? Will they offer another contract? Ever? Ack.
And mega congrats on your new book contract! Nothing like a publisher having faith in you! That should help relax the jitters a little, huh? (Okay, maybe not..*g*)
August 27th, 2006 at 3:17 pm
I agree with Jaci - we’re all lucky. I’m thinking the reason the author’s comments and attitude struck me as so odd is that they seemed out of the norm and so unrealistic compared to how this business works. Jordan’s guess is probably correct because there aren’t that many authors who fall into this category - thank goodness!!
Diana’s comment echoes my view: “We all just keep waiting for the other shoe to drop.” Yep. That’s exactly it. Even with the 3-book deal, I’m waiting for my editor to call and say, “Umm, I actually didn’t mean to call you with that offer. That’s an offer for another author. One who writes and sells much better.” Yeah, no insecurities here. But as Kim and many others said, it’s not as if authors are the only ones on edge. Jobs in general are less secure. We’re all lucky if we can keep paying the bills. Many can’t.
And, Jay - congrats are fine on any post
Thanks.