Saturday, December 13, 2008

No, it's not who you know, it's how you write

From the "I couldn't have said it better myself" department comes Editorial Anonymous with an on point post about using connections to get your work read.

6 comments:

Miriam Forster said...

I think this debate is funny, largely because I don't know anyone in publishing, and I can't imagine scavenging for connections when I could be WRITING.

Writing is way more fun then asking favors of strangers.

About Me said...

So you mean my sister's ex-boyfriend's barber's half-sister can't get me ahead of the slush and a contract... jeez and I thought this publishing thing was a breeze.

SWILUA said...

I bet Oprah'd still be good to know...

Judy Croome | @judy_croome said...

It would be great if I DID know your colleague's ex-manicurist's rabbi's second cousin thrice removed who lives in Greenside Johannesburg, but alas! I'll have to accept that my writing stands alone. :):)

Unknown said...

What struck me when I read that blog was how the editor or agent must feel about these things dumped on them.

I would think they would be eager to quickly find a "not for me" reason and pass.

Can you imagine what the contract negotiation and ongoing professional relationship would be like if the person who is your "link" to the writer is always added to the mix?

Janet said...

My brother, who works and formerly lived in Manhattanm offered to help me in my pursuit of being published. "Oh, do you know anyone in publishing?" said I. "No," said he. He seemed to think that the mere fact that his body enters Manhattan daily would somehow be helpful.

I thanked him for his offer, and declined.