Talk to Me!

We are all busy. We all get stressed. And we all get caught up in our own corner of the world, isolating ourselves and our problems. But that isn't good for any of us or our careers.

Writers need interaction with more than a coffee cup or keyboard. We need to talk about our ideas, our challenges, our achievements, and our frustrations.

Lately, I've been pretty well holed up just trying to get daily things done. Have you noticed that I haven't been talking here? Despite that I don't feel like I've made much progress catching up, and I don't want to lose touch with authors out there.

One of the main components of my job is to be the author's advocate in the publishing house. To recognize the author's passion and writing voice and to help interpret that to the rest of the team in editorial, design, marketing, sales, and beyond. But if we don't talk, I can't help you.

The best advice I can give an author today is to open up and communicate with your editor or other publishing advocate. Don't wait until they contact you. Don't wait until you feel out of touch or have a big problem on your hands.

If you are falling behind on deadline and inspiration, don't cower and pretend all is well. Don't make excuses either. Just be honest with yourself and your editor. By working together you can perhaps find that inspiration and avoid a schedule meltdown.

If you are confused about the business process, be it contract, accounting, marketing, etc., just ask. If your editor doesn't have the answer, they can get it for you. The worst thing you can do is stew within your questions and let them hold you back.

If you have an idea or a dream that you wish your publisher would help you realize, tell your editor. We love dreaming with authors and will do what we can within our power to help you realize those dreams. Publishing with you is a partnership and our authors become like family to us.

If you simply have good news to share or just want to say hello, do it. Talking to you, hearing your joys, and knowing that all is well helps lift your editor's spirits too.

So, for all those who I haven't talked to lately, I hope all is well and I hope to talk to you soon.