Being an intern at Dreaming Big Publications has taught me so much about the publishing world. I've learned how books transform from an idea to a published manuscript, and I've learned that publishing is only half the battle if you want people to actually read your book. During my time at DBP I've had both good and bad experiences, and here I've detailed a few of them.
The Good
It wasn’t until I edited my first manuscript and returned the content edits to the author that I thought, “Whoa, I just edited an actual manuscript from an actual author.” It felt a little odd, really—here I was, a college student who hadn’t even received a bachelor’s degree, and yet an author was willing to place his trust in me to tinker with his writing. Luckily, the first author I worked with was extremely kind and respectful, and that made the editor-author relationship very easy. It was a little surreal when I emailed him my edits and he agreed with (most) of them! We were able to write back and forth until we came to an agreement on all the edits, and this process, in all honesty, was so much easier than I had expected. Even when the author didn’t agree with my edits, he simply raised questions about them or politely contested them. Neither of us ever lashed out, took jabs at one another, or said, “No, you’re wrong!” I can’t say the same for some other jobs I’ve had. Sometimes I’ve worked with people who, well, how should I say it—don’t take criticism well. I can understand why—their writing is like their child, after all—but I still wish more people would realize how valuable it is simply to have a second pair of eyes on their writing. This is something I’m still trying to learn myself, and through this first successful editor-author relationship, I was able to learn a little more about the value of collaboration. That sounds cheesy, but it’s true.
The Bad
My time at Dreaming Big Publications hasn’t been all raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens. (Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens… What was I saying again?)
There are times when I’ve become frustrated with the work I’ve done, and I’ve definitely had little snafus along the way. One of my current jobs for DBP is calling elementary schools to request their librarian’s contact information, and my interactions with these elementary schools have, at times, been surprisingly difficult.
You're probably wondering what elementary schools have to do with publishing. Well, DBP recently published a children’s book called Hokey Pokey Pirates, and my editor-in-chief is in the process of reading this book at local elementary schools to garner publicity for it. Her goal is to read it at schools all over the state, so I’ve been calling these schools ahead of time to ask if they allow guest readers. If they do, I collect their librarian’s contact information so my editor-in-chief can email them about coming in to read. I generally enjoy this task because it’s fairly easy and allows me to practice the art of cold-calling people. I used to hate talking to strangers over the phone (it’s scary, right?), but now I don’t mind it as much.
You're probably wondering what elementary schools have to do with publishing. Well, DBP recently published a children’s book called Hokey Pokey Pirates, and my editor-in-chief is in the process of reading this book at local elementary schools to garner publicity for it. Her goal is to read it at schools all over the state, so I’ve been calling these schools ahead of time to ask if they allow guest readers. If they do, I collect their librarian’s contact information so my editor-in-chief can email them about coming in to read. I generally enjoy this task because it’s fairly easy and allows me to practice the art of cold-calling people. I used to hate talking to strangers over the phone (it’s scary, right?), but now I don’t mind it as much.
I typically call the main number for the school and reach the secretary at the front desk. When I explain who I am and who I work for, many secretaries jump to the conclusion that I’m trying to sell them books. They’ll say, in a rush, “No, wedon’tneedanybooks—we’vealreadyusedupthebudget—thanksgoodbye.” Oftentimes they cut me off before I’ve had the chance to tell them what I’m actually looking for, and I have to quickly interject or stop them before they hang up the phone. Or, sometimes I’ll be halfway through my spiel when they suddenly interject with, “Hold please,” and put me on hold for a million years (or maybe three minutes). I understand if a student comes in and they need to switch their attention to them, but I wish they’d say that so I know why I’m being put on hold.
I’ve also heard lots of other funny and sometimes frustrating comments from secretaries, librarians, and others I speak to while calling schools. Although the children’s book is written primarily for younger children, I’ve been calling middle schools as well to cover all my bases and receive their policies on guest readers. One day I called a middle school and asked if they accepted guest readers, and the secretary simply said, “Umm, this is a middle school?” as if that was the most idiotic question she had ever heard.
I’ve also heard lots of other funny and sometimes frustrating comments from secretaries, librarians, and others I speak to while calling schools. Although the children’s book is written primarily for younger children, I’ve been calling middle schools as well to cover all my bases and receive their policies on guest readers. One day I called a middle school and asked if they accepted guest readers, and the secretary simply said, “Umm, this is a middle school?” as if that was the most idiotic question she had ever heard.
One elementary school was happy to give me the contact information for Mrs. Carter, their librarian, but when I asked if I could have her first name as well, the man said, “Oh, we don’t go by first names here.” Well… okay then, sir.
Many secretaries say that they’ll write down my information and have their librarian call me back, but that’s only happened... once. Shoutout to the wonderful librarian who did actually call me back, and to the rest of you… I swear I’m not trying to sell you books. I only want to ask you if you accept guest readers.
Many secretaries say that they’ll write down my information and have their librarian call me back, but that’s only happened... once. Shoutout to the wonderful librarian who did actually call me back, and to the rest of you… I swear I’m not trying to sell you books. I only want to ask you if you accept guest readers.