I Really Am A Publisher!

The most important thing I learned from last summer’s PMA University wasn’t listed in the program, taught in a seminar, or available in the handouts. At the same time, it was priceless.

What I learned is that I know more than I thought I knew. I learned that, despite my fears and reservations, I’m going about this whole publishing thing the right way. Or at least the way that’s right for me and my goals. I learned that I’m not alone in my doubts or mistakes. I learned that I really am a publisher.

Like many publishers starting out (I learned), I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was doing it all wrong, that every other publisher would take one look at my work and see me as a neophyte, or worse, a fraud. I thought that when I showed up at PMA-U, everyone else would know so much more than I did.

Imagine my shock when I learned that not only was I doing what many other small publishers are doing, I had a few things I could teach as well.

Since I’ve been back from PMA-U, I’ve met a number of other publishers who feel the same way I did when I arrived in New York, and as a result of my change in perspective, I hope you will find the following Top Thirteen Ways to Know You Really Are A Publisher helpful.

13. You’ve done your homework on setting up your company, from ISBNs to distribution.

12. You have short-term and long-term goals for your company and you work toward meeting them.

11. You care passionately about your books, your authors, your reputation, your image, and your relationships with readers, booksellers, and other industry professionals.

10. You understand the difference between amateurs and professionals, such as the difference between a professional editor and a friend who can proofread.

9. You understand that all the marketing expertise in the world boils down to one thing: convince a potential reader to buy your book.

8. You know deep down in the core of your being that #9 is the hardest part of publishing, and as a result, you learn to become a marketing expert for your titles.

7. Even a promotional tabletop sign at a restaurant inspires marketing ideas.

6. When in a bookstore, you look at the publisher information and copyright page of a book before you read what it’s about.

5. When a friend recommends a book, you wonder what went into that book’s marketing plan and distribution.

4. While the rest of the world complains about rising book retail prices, you’re thinking about unit costs, discount schedules, and cost-effective print runs.

3. Friends are either excited or nervous about telling you that they’re writing a book.

2. You know the best way to pack and secure a 23 lb. box of books.

1. At the end of the day, beyond sales figures and expense projections, publishing makes you happy.

Disclaimer: being a happy publisher and being a successful publisher are not necessarily the same thing. But you knew that too.

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This is the second in the "What I Learned at PMA-U/BEA" series by Sheyna Galyan of Yaldah Publishing. Stay tuned for future entries in this series, which will run through spring 2008.