I can't believe this guy! **RANT**

[Book Lover]

So I'm in a conference call this afternoon with one of my authors, and as we're wrapping up, he says to me, "So, now that this book is finished, what are you going on to?" I laughed lightly and said something like, "Are you kidding? I have about 10 books going on right now." He goes silent, then asks his editor if he'd be available for some further chat. So I leave, they talk, and apparently it was all about how terrible it was that I was so overloaded and how he felt convinced that his book didn't get enough attention, etc, etc. The editor was laughing as he related this to me, and I know there's not going to be any fallout (except maybe to the author himself, who has been labeled a baby due to this incident), but I am so pissed! His book was a AAA, and got *plenty* of attention! It's not like one book would fill up my workday. Argh!!

[Kerrytravelers]

1. But didn't you know? It's all about him.

Is he related to *? It seems that everything has to be what * wants, too!

[Book Lover]

4. Maybe. Maybe...

I won't discount the possibility, even if this guy is a true blue academic. The attitude is definitely the same :-)

[GreenPartyVoter]

2. Too funny! What exactly is it you do with the books? Are you an agent?

[Book Lover]

3. I'm a production manager

Basically, editorial gathers all the text and art for a book (I work on History college textbooks) and I hire and manage the folks who lay it out, proof it, send it to the printer, etc. In the "old days" I would be called a project editor. I know every book is important, etc. etc., but this guy just hit my buttons!

[Ruffhowse]

5. Sounds very interesting. How would one get started

in that line of work?

[Book Lover]

14. You can be hired

at an associate level by any publisher. Usually the title is something like project editor, project production manager, or editorial production manager. And not to sound too strong, but you really need to love making books because your job is to be the solution to every problem. The pay is at the lower end even for managers, you are at the tail end of the schedule so time is never plentiful, and everyone wants it done on the cheap.

On the other hand, at the end, you get a box from the printer and it's full of books that you made happen, and they're all yours. For a bibliophile, it's Christmas every time.

BookBuilders is the national organization I belong to; there are others tailored to the printing trades, paper manufacture, etc. There are job listings at http://www.bookbuilders.org/JBnk-list.html. I'd be interesting in knowing what you think :-)

[Ruffhowse]

19. Thanks. I've always loved books ever since I was old enough

to read, and always thought a career in publishing would be interesting. I will check out your link.

[GreenPartyVoter]

11. Yeah. I can see how he would have hit your buttons. I do free-lance

editing for fiction, but since I only work on one book at a time no one can complain that another author is getting more attention. *g*

[Book Lover]

12. *Grin*

I always wondered what it was like to work in trade fiction... I'm sure this is a case of the grass being greener, but I always imagined it being more genteel, filled with erudite conversations with witty authors.

[GreenPartyVoter]

13. Well.. *l* The clients I have now are wonderful but, it can be a painful

experience to revise a section, return it to them, and then have it sent back to me again with all my hard work undone. *l*

But hey, it's their story so it's their call. If I want to do things my way I ought to write my own book. (And I might. Eventually.)

[tjdee]

6. He probably didn't realize how dumb he was being.

Especially if he's a first time author?

People generally don't have that much of a handle on other people's jobs unless they work in the industry. For example, lots of people think being an actor is easy. And in a lot of ways it is, but in some ways it isn't. When I worked with kids my mother didn't think I was working. She'd be like, 'why are you so tired, you've been playing with kids all day!"

:shrug:

[Book Lover]

7. Now that I've calmed down a bit

I'm nodding to what you're saying. No, he doesn't know much, obviously, about how our day-to-day goes. But this wasn't his first book, oddly...

But your mom had at least one kid! She should have known how tiring a full day can be.

[xfundy]

8. Wait a minute...

You READ BOOKS? You're going to Hell, my friend, if you read any books other than the ONLY one anybody needs--The Bible! Why, you don't need no so-called "science" books, no so-called "medical" books, no so-called "biology" books, no cookbooks, and not even a road map! Get right with Jaysuss!

Actually, I've done a lot of publication layout and production, a couple of books, some user manuals for consumer/medical products, and lots and lots of print ads. If you could use a freelancer in San Francisco who works (fast!) from home and can deliver everything via email/PDF/FTP/CD/FedEx, I'd sure love to talk.

If you're interested in talking further, please DUmail me.

Thanks!

[Book Lover]

9. Yep, I even make books

that talk all about how european immigrants smashed the shit out of tribal Americans. Straight to Hell, do not pass go!

[xfundy]

10. "Straight to Hell, do not pass go!"

You a Judy O'Christian/Landover Baptist fan, by any chance?

http://www.fes-net.com/_lob/LOL/sounds/donotpassgo.wav

[Book Lover]

15. I've attended Landover Baptist for many years

Even have my own Betty Bowers t-shirt!

[Floogeldy]

16. Well, aren't you hot shit?

[Book Lover]

17. I have a better suggestion

When I see a post that pisses me off, but is really just somebody blowing off some steam, I let it go rather than come into the thread and shit. Consider doing that next time. Thanks.

[Floogeldy]

18. I'm not pissed off, brother.

I love you.

B-)

[Book Lover]

20. I guess I'm not feeling the love tonight

My apologies for mistaking your tone.