A Fascinating Day

Josh Getzler

Every so often, I have a day where so many things happen in a short period of a time that I go home and my wife says "So, what did you do today?" and I honestly don't know where to begin. Today was one of those days, and I thought I'd give a sense of the different types of balls I juggle. And the interesting and cool thing is that I know (from discussions, tweets, Facebook posts, and emails) that my colleagues in agencies and publishing houses and living rooms/offices/Paneras (or the myriad other locations that writers write) that so many other folks who make publishing run are equally busy. Any time I hear that Publishing is Moribund I wonder how that is possible...

Anyway, I realized when I left that I'd emailed or spoken with 14 clients, 11 editors, both of my partners, my new assistant and my old assistant. I interviewed a possible intern to help with submissions and social media, and tweeted, Tumbled, and updated my Facebook page and Publishers Marketplace page. I submitted or discussed submitting seven manuscripts, and read and asked for more pages from two very interesting blind queries. One of the books I represent--Seven Kinds of Hell by Dana Cameron--was published today. Another, Minimalist Parenting by Christine Koh and Asha Dornfest, is in its final buildup to next week's publication. I received an offer for one of my clients to write an e-original Short, discussed the minutia of a cover for another, and prepared for a marketing strategy meeting for Geoff Rodkey's new novel before he goes out on the Endangered Authors Tour next month. Before 4, when I had to leave for an appointment.

Now typically, after I write an entry like this, I get several emails from clients saying "I see how busy you are. Do you still have time for me? Am I on the back burner?" And the answer is always no. There are certainly days where I concentrate harder on some clients than others, but I know that every client would want and expect me to tweet happily on their pub dates (and I do!). And so I beg--and (most of the time) receive--their patience (with some eye rolling). And on a day like today, when I've touched almost half my clients' projects in one way or another, I realize that I've got a terrific job, working with a LOT of interesting people. We'll get it all done. My burners are on high.

Of course, I forgot to pick up bread and milk on the way home, and the Super called wondering why I'm not meeting him at my apartment for him to get in and snake the bathtub. But, I mean, something has got to give... 

Comments

[Kristopher]

Hey Josh,

I tried to help a bit by posting my review of Seven Kinds of Hell and my interview with Dana on the blog. ;-)

I work in academic publishing (journals in my case), so I can certainly relate. There is always something more pressing that what you are doing at the moment. And isn't it always interesting that the "real life" things are the items left for last.

Deep breaths, another day.