After a discussion of bad publishing takes and misinformation on threads, I feel like moaning about bad takes isn't enough on my part...so. Publishing. I worked in it for 15 years, now a full time author. I now don't know what people don't know. Authors/wannabe publishers, what do you WANT to know? - ThreadSky

louiestowell.bsky.social • 63 days ago

After a discussion of bad publishing takes and misinformation on threads, I feel like moaning about bad takes isn't enough on my part...so. Publishing. I worked in it for 15 years, now a full time author. I now don't know what people don't know. Authors/wannabe publishers, what do you WANT to know?

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elizabeth-prosher.bsky.social•63 days ago

How much did you have to change/edit your story to get it published? Did you have to go to different publishers to find someone who would publish your works? Is there some stuff publishers would refuse to publish?

louiestowell.bsky.social•63 days ago

I'd never say never re some stuff publishers would all refuse to publish, but I've definitely got stories in a drawer that I'd consider "unpublishable" or at least in the current climate/market. Very dark picture books for eg.

louiestowell.bsky.social•63 days ago

I got rejected on multiple books by everyone before I got one book published so yes many publishers!

louiestowell.bsky.social•63 days ago

Hello! Excellent questions! And depends on the story - I've always had plenty of edits, but some have been more drastic than others - eg Loki's kept the same basic characters/plot although lots of structural monkeying around...while Otherland changed POV/characters before publication.

keithkahnharris.bsky.social•62 days ago

Is the normative practice of rejection by silence the result of a conscious choice? Do juniors in publishing ever get told that responding to emails is optional?

louiestowell.bsky.social•62 days ago

I don't know about agents but I was never told as a junior editor not to respond. I think I always DID respond when I remembered but the trouble was remembering - you're getting SO many emails it's so hard to keep track, and your boss shouting at you takes priority vs a submission.

keithkahnharris.bsky.social•62 days ago

So we're you ever offered tips or training in dealing with email? Have you heard of this at other publishers?

louiestowell.bsky.social•62 days ago

No but my early career wasn't with an out-ward-facing company, we wrote all the books in house so not sure what juniors get taught. Actually most of my career was unhelpfully dealing with in house IP! will ask some fiction editor pals!

keithkahnharris.bsky.social•62 days ago

Thanks. This is something I have been interested in for a long time:

https://medium.com/the-impossible-books-of-keith-kahn-harris/a-year-of-unanswered-emails-8e47ca539497

louiestowell.bsky.social•62 days ago

First reply from an editor friend was "ahahahahahahahahaha. no."

louiestowell.bsky.social•62 days ago

PS have asked on linkedin!

mjoneillchw.bsky.social•63 days ago

Has there ever been a fusion business combining publishing and pub offerings

louiestowell.bsky.social•63 days ago

I did spend the first few years in publishing vaguely thinking "pub day" (as in publication day) meant "we all go to the pub" cos in fairness there is a bit of drinking on those days...

mjoneillchw.bsky.social•63 days ago

Yeah, understandable conclusion!

louiestowell.bsky.social•63 days ago

That said most of the drinking happens in bookshops, and said drink isn't pints, it's warm white wine.

louiestowell.bsky.social•63 days ago

I sounds right doesn't it!

louiestowell.bsky.social•63 days ago

Pork scratchings and a hardback do you mean?

mjoneillchw.bsky.social•63 days ago

I was thinking more steak and chips and a hardback but yeah

louiestowell.bsky.social•63 days ago

I cannot speak for all of publishing but I feel fairly safe in saying that this would be a brand new direction for most publishers...

barrowmember.bsky.social•62 days ago

What causes the biggest delays in the #publishing process from a publisher POV, writing & editing aside? How would you speed process if you were a publishing deity? What's been the most fun way you've found to PR books? What do you wish you'd known when you started out? And where's the most wastage?

louiestowell.bsky.social•63 days ago

Caveats: I only worked in editorial, I only worked in kids, and I have a terrible memory so probably won't be able to recall detailed things like "exactly how costings work".

harutimearound.bsky.social•63 days ago

Is publishing worth it in this day and age of self-publishing? Last year, I struggled to find an agent or any sort of contact to get me there through queries, so I simply spent all that time writing more. I don't exactly know what to do other than keep writing.

louiestowell.bsky.social•62 days ago

I got rejected SO MUCH before I got published. I wrote my first novel in 2001 and published my first in 2019. It can be a long long game. And yeah keeping writing is the only thing. Tho I wish I'd subbed more eg short stories for feedback.

harutimearound.bsky.social•62 days ago

Thank you for the reply! I appreciate any and all help.

louiestowell.bsky.social•62 days ago

Hey there! I'd say yes. But that might be survivorship bias. Still. Self pub is very different and not for me but it works for others - I want to run a small business but if you're entrepreneurial self pub can be great!

matthewfraser.bsky.social•63 days ago

I like this. So many #asktheagent query sessions. Beggers and choosers. Let's have an #asktheauthor query — get the real story!

louiestowell.bsky.social•63 days ago

We have hard won knowledge to share!

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