7 Years

Terri Bischoff

Jeff’s post about his 14 years in publishing reminded me that I am hitting my 7 year anniversary here at Midnight Ink. It has been a pretty crazy ride, that is for sure. Here are some of the highlights:

My first writer’s conference as an editor was the Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers Gold Conference. It is a very well run conference. For a while I thought maybe I should open an office in Denver since I had so many authors out there.
Bowling at Bouchercon. I feel like we did two years but I can’t remember for sure.
Attending the Edgars for the first time. That is pretty awesome.
Finding out that a coworker sent the wrong file to printer, which lead to an understandingly outraged author, which lead me to leave work that afternoon and go get a tattoo. I love that tattoo.
Publishing a few books in hardcover – getting to here was a battle, but a very rewarding one.
My first sales conferences here at Midnight Ink. The first one I attended was a week or so after I was hired. It was interesting because during that sales conference I was asked quite a few questions – mostly giving comp titles on the fly. I think it not only proved to the folks here that I knew my stuff, it also proved to me that I did. I should remember that day more often.
Attending smaller conferences like MWA-U, Crimebake, Sleuthfest, SinC into Great Writing, California Crime Writers, and Desert Sleuths Write Now to name a few. I particularly love that I have acquired several series as a direct result of attending these cons.
Getting Christmas presents from my authors. I had no idea that was a thing! But it is and I really like it. I mean, who doesn’t like getting stuff. And I love it all - whether it be homemade or purchased baked goods, chocolates or fruits, toasters or vodka. Which leads me to my next highlight…
The relationships I have built with my authors. I like my authors. I really, really do. I can’t even express how much I like them. I’ve talked before about being an introvert and how conferences can be stressful, but the best part about conferences is hanging with my authors.
Second to my friendships with my authors are my friendships with so many in crime fiction community. Publicists, reviewers, magazine publishers, writers, agents, editors – the people in our industry are second to none.
The Malice Domestic banquets. If you have sat at our tables, you totally understand.

My job is a pretty great one. I get to meet amazing people, read fantastic manuscripts, and do my part to bring new books to crime fiction readers. If only I could clone myself so I could do more.

*** I purposely did not name names here. If I started I just couldn’t stop. So big hugs to all, unless you are Dan Malmon. Then you get a pat on the shoulder or a nod.

3 Comments

I'm so grateful that I was invited to be an Honorary Inker at the Malice banquets these past few years. Like you, I'm an introvert and while I love Malice it can leave me drained and stressed being "on." Getting to sit next to people who get that without me having to explain it helps revive me.

Plus the stacks of books you bring for table gifts are awesome!

Posted by: Aimee | October 19, 2016 at 04:16 PM