| Years ago I had a publishing company. When it | | | | books and billing and selling rights and the big |
| was new, I eager and optimistic. I had left my | | | | manila envelopes that kept coming. Initially, I was |
| day job, I had an investor and new work spaces | | | | amazed that so many people had found us; |
| in our spare bedroom, thanks to a carpenter | | | | however, why did they think that we published |
| friend. I owned a new fax machine, and I happily | | | | books about past life therapy and crop circles? |
| began building our new publishing company. | | | | Soon there wasn't enough time to read each |
| I acquired our ISBNs from RR Bowker, listing with | | | | manuscript, much less compose a heartfelt letter |
| them and in other publishing trade references. We | | | | to the author. So we started a pile on the end of |
| sent out press releases about our little company | | | | the long desk. It didn't take long for me to realize |
| and celebrated with a bit of fanfare. | | | | that if we were going to survive in publishing, I |
| I envisioned days packed with conversations with | | | | needed to focus on the books we were |
| authors, designing exquisite books, filling bookstore | | | | publishing, not on the ones we weren't. |
| orders, making presentations to the sales staff of | | | | The weeks passed, and the pile grew. I tried to |
| the distributor we didn't have yet, and picking up | | | | walk past without looking at it in order to avoid at |
| the mail at our post office box. | | | | least some of the guilt of envisioning authors |
| The Tip of the Iceberg | | | | glued to their mailboxes. |
| Because we were already running direct-mail | | | | And then I began hating the pile and the people |
| campaigns, there was usually something rewarding | | | | who kept sending the big manila envelopes of |
| in the mail. One day, there was a large manila | | | | past life regression, satanic possession, the |
| envelope. | | | | triumph of overcoming childhood abuse, the |
| Excitedly, I pored over our first manuscript | | | | triumph of overcoming divorce. What had I done |
| submission. I was in awe that an author had found | | | | to deserve this? And how could I make it stop? |
| us so quickly and had thought enough of our | | | | Taking Care of The Pile |
| fledgling company to send his manuscript, cover | | | | I realized it would be impossible to devote |
| letter, and outline for our consideration. We really | | | | individual attention to the authors of the unsolicited |
| were a publishing company! | | | | manuscripts, so we drew up a form 'submission |
| This manuscript, while competently written, wasn't | | | | reply letter.' |
| in our specialty, though. I packed it carefully and | | | | Most authors included a stamped, self-addressed |
| wrote a thoughtful letter to the author explaining | | | | manila envelope with their submission in order to |
| our situation, commenting on his manuscript and | | | | get their manuscript back if rejected. So those |
| mentioning a possible publisher. | | | | book authors who had included postage received |
| Spending quality time on the rejection of our first | | | | their manuscripts and our new letter. |
| potential author made me feel good. I had treated | | | | Those who didn't include return postage with their |
| him with dignity and encouragement and even | | | | manuscripts? We didn't have a fancy office with a |
| included a suggested next move - just as I would | | | | mailroom or the money to pay for returning so |
| want to be treated. I knew then that we wouldn't | | | | many heavy packages. And so we didn't. Let's |
| be using form letters! | | | | just say the recycling bin got a little fuller that |
| The Pile | | | | day. |
| It didn't take long before we were busy with | | | | |