A Day in the Life

Terri Bischoff

 

If I had to break down my job, I would say that 50% of it is planned and 50% is putting out fires or unplanned. Today my plan was to read a manuscript. I am acquiring for spring summer 2018 so reading is really the highest priority for the next few days. I also have a rather large to-do list as well. It includes sending out developmental edits to a couple authors, getting to a handful of specific submissions, writing a trip report for the Edgar's and Malice, applying for my passport, etc. My to-do list will never actually be done as more tasks get added daily. But hey, that is my job. I don't complain because my job is way better than most jobs, right? A lot of my to-do list doesn't have hard deadlines, so I am forever adjusting and squeezing things in.

This afternoon I had a meeting scheduled. Which was great. It's a Midnight Ink specific meeting where we determine strategies for upcoming publications. In this case we were talking about the Winter 2018 season. Debut books/authors are always given an A status. Other titles are then given a B or C status. The biggest difference in the three categories is that for A titles, we are going to send our galleys to the printers 2-3 months earlier so we can get out to reviewers sooner. We saw that strategy pan out with Hollywood Homicide. I hope that we will eventually get there with all the MI titles. Great news, right?

It is. But it also came with some unplanned duties because it's not just sending the galley files early. It means that I need the manuscripts earlier. I have to have revisions back sooner. Production has to shuffle their schedules to create the galley. I have to work with marketing on the back cover copy earlier... one little pebble makes a huge ripple.

So did I get to read that manuscript today? Only a little bit of it. I'm disappointed because I like it and I want to keep at it. But my ADHD job keeps pulling me away. Thank goodness we have a long weekend coming up and I will be spending most of it reading. I might also take a little time to plant some flowers.

Have a great day, y'all. I hope the fires that pop up for you are small and manageable. And if all else fails, put on your headphones, close your laptop, and escape into a good book. I will be doing that in just a few minutes. Later tonight I will be seeing a couple author friends at our local mystery bookstore. Yep, today was a good day.

Comments

[JD Allen]

Thanks for working so hard. I'm looking forward to being a Debut Author with you and going through the process!

[Aimee]

Well, definitely make sure you put Get Passport at the top of the list and keep it there until you've done it.

I'd be bummed if you missed Bouchercon.

[Edith Maxwell]

I love these glimpses into your working life, Terri. Some of my to-do lists are like that, too - flexible, adjustable - except for the DUE DATE item. I never miss that one. And isn't it awesome we have jobs we love?

[Terri Bischoff]

Thank you! It's a pretty fun ride. :)

[Terri Bischoff]

I will not miss it!!

[Terri Bischoff]

I appreciate those who don't miss their due date! When that happens it can throw off the whole process.

Having a job you love is a gift. I am so thankful for it. And I am so thankful for my authors. :)