Comments on: You and Your Publisher: New Best Friends? Not!

By: Victoria Dixon

Victoria Dixon — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 20:07:10 +0000

Excellent points made by Janet and the readers. In addition to the obvious social media (Facebook, Twitter, etc.) I’d include responding to other people’s blogs. I once commented on my disappointment in a particular book’s conclusion on someone else’s blog. I used the author’s name. I understand now why that was a mistake, but it’s one I cannot undo.

By: Erika Marks

Erika Marks — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 16:37:03 +0000

Janet, very wise words.

In this era of email, Facebook, Twitter, etc. I think it’s safe to say the boundaries have been blurred in terms of professional etiquette, or perhaps, simply forgotten. No amount of emoticons can repair an ill-advised confession (of course, those emoticons are ill-advised in a professional conversation regardless!).

One always hopes to have a mutually warm and respectful relationship with their publishing house, and even at times jovial, but it is vital to remember that it is a professional relationship first and foremost. I’ve found in my years in the working world it’s always best to err on the side of discretion, on-line and face-to-face.

By: Sandie Bricker

Sandie Bricker — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 17:43:53 +0000

I love this post! There is such a fine line between friendship and businesship. “Less is more,” I always say. Especially when it’s about business.

By: Gina Burgess

Gina Burgess — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 14:42:10 +0000

That is an excellent point about social media. I just found out Zoominfo has a file on me and things I’ve published which dates back several years. It is by no means complete, but it even has some articles I wrote for newsletters for the Chamber of Commerce! I was astounded. It made me realize that I should never, ever write an article “just to get the job done”, but more importantly, it made me realize that if it’s electronically created, stored, submitted, published or filed, then it’s out there forever.

Excellent points, Janet, and these hold true for journalists as well as book authors.

By: Anne

Anne — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 14:37:14 +0000

I work for a children’s book publisher. Relating to your article, I’ve seen illustrators say one thing to their agent about their ability to meet deadlines and quite another thing to the designer & publisher ~ this becomes clear at some point when the art is not delivered on time & puts quite a bad light on their ability to be dependable & truthful. This puts a bad taste in the publisher’s mouth & doesn’t give us confidence about working with them again.

By: janetgrant

janetgrant — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 17:39:26 +0000

Ava, that’s such good advice about social media. Facebook and Twitter (and your blog) are very public venues that never delete what you write. So if we rant about a decision our publisher made that we disagree with, we are writing something individuals at the publishing house might well read. Always be aware that social media is like standing on a soapbox in a town square–that’s as big as the world.

By: Ava Pennington

Ava Pennington — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 03:37:05 +0000

Wise words.
I would add one additional area of caution: social media. An author may be “friends” with their editor on Facebook, or have a reciprocal “follow” relationship with that editor (or others in the company) on Twitter. A lack of professionalism in these realms can easily affect future contract decisions!

By: Wanda Rosseland

Wanda Rosseland — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 01:48:36 +0000

A good synopsis, Janet. I’v always thought writers should treat their publishers/editors the same way they live their lives. With decency and respect. For family. Neighbors. And business associates. It comes out in the end.
Wanda

By: Rachael Phillips

Rachael Phillips — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 22:46:35 +0000

I always appreciate your publishing advice, Janet. Great reminders about how important relationships are in this business–and the wisdom of duct-taping the mouth if necessary!

By: Lynette Sowell

Lynette Sowell — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 22:26:47 +0000

This is where it’s important to remember that the publisher-author and even editor-author relationship is one of business first. If it’s something I wouldn’t or shouldn’t say at the office of my “day” job, I don’t say it to or about my other employer/fellow colleague well. In this case, the editor/publisher.

An excellent reminder of the perspective we should keep.