Posted by Jeanette Shaw
One of the most important skills for an aspiring author to cultivate is how to handle rejection, because for most it happens a lot. But writers are not alone in this; editors have to deal with rejection and disappointment as well. I recently lost out on a project that I've had my eye on for more than a year and was crushed not to have the chance to publish this sure-to-be future bestseller. In this instance the deciding factor was money, but I and many of my colleagues have also been in situations where the money was right but the author chose to go with a different imprint anyway. Those are the times when I hang up the phone feeling dejected and just a little hurt, and am reminded once again of how often publishing reminds me of that other exhilarating, sometimes rewarding, often depressing pastime—dating.
There's the blind date: an out of the blue email or call between you and an agent, followed by a lunch where you anxiously wonder if you will recognize your dining companion or find yourself waiting across the room from them for 10 minutes before you clue in (which has happened to me more than once, sadly), then an often awkward meal during which each of you tries to put your best foot forward and hope that your publishing interests match up. Sometimes you are a perfect match and the agent happens to be going out with a submission that would be perfect for you; other times you never hear from them again and are left awkwardly running into them at happy hours.
There's the crush: a proposal comes in that immediately grabs your attention. This is the one, you think. This book is meant for me. All you can think about is that book. You talk to the author and try to dazzle him with your vision and enthusiasm. You run costs, plan a publication date, are already picturing the cover design and imagining "New York Times bestseller" printed above the title. But then you realize other people have their eye on the object of your affection as well. How dare they? you think. This book is mine. The author loves me! He knows I am the editor for him. Sometimes this is true, and you make the deal and do a happy dance around your office (or is that just me?). He likes me! you think. He really likes me!
Other times you lose out. Sometimes it's because of money. Those are the times it's useful if sometimes frustrating to have your publisher, much like a disapproving parent would, give you a reality check and a spending limit. I may have stars in my eyes, but my publisher is clear-sighted and ready to ground me if necessary. Other times it's because the author simply decided to work with a different editor. This is the beauty pageant stage, and you've just come in first runner up. Sadly, even if the winner is not able to fulfill their duties you still don't get to take over the crown. Those are the times I go back over every word of my conversations with the agent and author, and every aspect of my offer, trying to figure out just where I went wrong. Was I too enthusiastic? Not enthusiastic enough? Was my list not impressive enough? Much like trying to figure out why that guy never called you again, this is a futile practice. Some things just aren't meant to be.
If you make it all the way through the submission and offer and wind up with an acquisition, you have entered into the honeymoon phase of the relationship, but all too quickly just as in real marriage you'll find that this partnership involves debate, compromise, and occasional frustration. You and your author start to know each other's habits; some days you may be communicating like a charm; others you find yourself avoiding the phone and deleting emails before you say something in the heat of the moment. But in the end you know you have the same goal: you want this relationship to work. You want a successful book. And just like in romance, things don't always work out. But once in a while you find your perfect match. And the nice thing about publishing is, unlike romance, an editor can have more than one perfect match at a time—it's like lawful polygamy!
Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go back to reminiscing about the One That Got Away.
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