Does Working in Publishing Really Help You Get Published?
Thoughts from a writer who, yes, works in publishing.
I am going to start this post off by acknowledging that this is a sensitive topic. Sensitive because there are real power dynamics at play within the publishing industry—whether that’s between querying writers and agents, publishers and authors, or even the hierarchies within publishing houses.
I’m choosing to write about this topic because I think it’s important to acknowledge the unfair advantage that working in publishing can seem to have in getting you a book deal. That said, there are a lot of things to think about here, and I’m writing based on my own experience as a writer working in house, so I don’t speak for everyone. But I’m going to try to be as helpful and open as possible.
Preconceived notions about using publishing connections to land a book deal.
I think there are a lot of beliefs out there that working in publishing will help you land an agent, sell a book, and so on, and so forth. And I do think there’s a little truth to this, which I will get to in a bit. But above all else, I believe whether you ultimately land a book deal depends on whether you’ve written a book that an editor thinks will sell—a book they love, a book they can get behind.
Why do I think that?
Because I’m experiencing it right now, as a writer on sub.
What I can tell you about being a writer and working in publishing.
It’s weird. Like, really weird. Imagine copyediting a picture book that goes on to win a bunch of awards and then you see your bookish/writer friends posting about said book on Instagram because they loved it and you’re just over here thinking, “I caught a huge [typo/fact-checking error/other mistake] before that book went to press.”
It’s an interesting feeling, right? Like, you’re privy to an entire underworld of information about a book that your friends don’t have access to: the process it went through after it came to you for copyediting, the proofs you had to review multiple times . . . everything! (For context: I work in managing editorial and do a lot of these types of reviews!)
When you get to learn how a book gets made, everything that goes on behind the scenes, does that actually help you get your own work published?
Well, I wouldn’t say that’s what would do it, though it would certainly make you a very easy author (or illustrator) to work with!
So, how might working in publishing help you land a book deal?
Would it be your connections, then? Do you query agents based on referrals from people in the industry? Do you have your manuscript sent to an editor friend to read?
Perhaps.
Ultimately, an agent will only sign a manuscript they feel compelled to sign. An editor will only acquire a manuscript they fully believe in, that they think will sell, whether you have a connection to that editor or not. It must be something they can get behind and go forward with, full speed ahead.
That’s not to say, for example, that no agent has ever signed someone they already had an existing relationship with—I just mean the success of selling the book will usually boil down to the quality of the book itself (and all the subjective readership that comes with it). And yes, maybe working on so many projects in house will inadvertently help you refine your own craft. There are a million ways this could go, advantages that can be uncovered.
However, I think the main thing having industry connections can help with is credibility: People in the industry already know you, or maybe an established author friend is willing to blurb your debut. But that doesn’t mean you can’t have credibility in other ways, especially if you don’t work in the industry. Nonfiction authors who are subject matter experts will certainly have their own credibility. So will fiction authors writing based their own experiences or topics they care deeply about.
The main thing having industry connections can help with is credibility.
But that doesn’t mean you can’t have credibility in other ways.
Take it from someone who just had an editor they’re on familiar terms with turn down their manuscript: It’s a long game no matter what.
And again, I’m writing from my own experience. It took me nine years of on-and-off querying to land an agent, which started after I was laid off from my first publishing job, followed me through other positions outside the industry, and then finally happened after almost three years working in house. At times, I wanted to give up. (Many times, in fact.) But again, this won’t cover everyone’s experience.
The verdict?
While I don’t think industry connections alone will land you a book deal, there are parts of the connections that certainly won’t hurt. But if you’re a querying writer or agented writer on sub who doesn’t work in publishing—believe me, you are in the vast majority of authors. It’s tough out there, but I believe in you and your stories. Please keep going. Write your best story. Take breaks if you need to (ahem, nine years of on-and-off querying), but then get right back to it.
Are you a writer in the trenches with thoughts on this topic? Or an industry professional who also writes? I’d love to hear from you in the comments.