Professionalism by Monica Burns © 2006

Professional behavior is a topic that gets raised on a fairly regular basis. It’s critical to one’s success in the romance publishing industry. There are only so many houses and only so many book slots available. For this reason, it’s important to guard your tongue and act appropriately. There’s no sense setting yourself up for a major fall before or after a sale. If you work outside the home, you know there are certain behavioral expectations in the business world. The same goes for the romance industry, and perhaps even more so. Why?  Because it’s a small community, and the smaller the community, the more people talk. The more people talk, the more opportunity there is for good and bad information to be bandied about. New York Editor Scenario We’re all human, and we all say things that we shouldn’t, but being unprofessional just isn’t cool. Especially in the writing industry. Why do some people not think with their heads? For instance, let’s suppose I’m a New York editor, and I see your name come across my desk on a manuscript you submitted. I pick it up and say, hmmm, I know I’ve seen this name before. After a few minutes of thought, I slap my forehead. Oh yeah, I remember this writer, she was trashing Editor B from XYZ publishing at that RWA cocktail party I went too last July. I study your manuscript for a long moment, but because I’m fair and it’s possible you might just be the next Nora Roberts, I decide to go ahead and read your manuscript. Ok, the first paragraph hasn’t wowed me, but maybe I’m still harboring negative thoughts. I’ll read on some more. Ultimately, I pass. The writing was solid, and while I saw a little spark, I just wasn’t as excited about it as I need to be to sell it to the editorial team, especially when the writer might be a diva in the making and can’t act in a professional manner. I’ll pass. WHACK! Did you feel the heat of that fly swatter. Janet and Jill Scenario What about this possibility?  Jill walks into the local bookstore with her good friend Janet who is an aspiring writer. Jill picks up a book by Diva Author A. Here’s how the conversation goes… Janet: Oh God, I can’t stand that witch Jill: I thought her first book was pretty good. Janet: I didn’t read it. Jill: Well how on earth can you say you don’t like her? Janet: Because I’m on an email loop with her. She was so arrogant and rude to a couple of writers the other day. She totally lambasted them for having an opinion different from hers. Jill: Oh my God, are you serious? What did she say? Janet: Well I can’t share that kind of detail off loop, but I do know that I’ll never buy her books. I work hard for my money, and giving this diva money isn’t in my game plan. I’ll find somebody else to read. Jill (looking at the book): Hmm, you know, I wanted to get that new one by Non Diva Author B, but I didn’t have enough for hers and Diva Author A. I think I’ll buy Non Diva’s book instead. WHACK! Major heat from the flyswatter. Promotion is about branding, NOT generating sales. Sales come from word-of-mouth. Getting the word out and creating buzz. The minute someone sees a writer acting like a jerk, the odds of them spending money on that writer’s book have just tanked significantly. Gossip Scenario How can a little gossip hurt everyone involved?  Consider this scenario. Writer A is trashing Writer B to Writers C, D and E.  How is everyone getting hurt? Because if Writer A is willing to trash Writer B to the other writers, what would stop her from trashing Writer C to Writer A, D and E. It’s a vicious cycle. Not to mention Writer A is going to earn a bad reputation with other writers. Elements of Professionalism All of these scenarios and others don’t have to happen. You can walk away from them. Gossip, slips of the tongue and other mistakes happen. However the more we think like professionals, the more we act like professionals. Remember, I think, therefore I am. Professionalism is being ethical. Professionalism is keeping your Ms. Hyde locked in a closet and out of the way where she can’t harm anybody. Mainly, YOU, the writer. Professionalism is being polite and thoughtful in emails. Professionalism is keeping your mouth shut when your agent tells you never to discuss money or contract details with others Professionalism is not expecting everyone to jump to do your bidding just because you sold. Professionalism is respecting the opinions of others. Professionalism is admitting when you’re wrong and apologizing to the wronged person in front of others. Essentially, professionalism is about playing nice. It’s about keeping your integrity when the rest of the world is losing theirs. So the next time you think about saying something. Count to three and make sure you really want to say what your about to say. Amazingly enough, it can save you major headaches. Headaches that can easily turn to heartaches for a number of different reasons. Not everyone will agree with this article, which is fine. Personally, I like to sleep well at night. I wouldn't be able to do that if I didn't work at being as professional as I can. Do I slip? Hell yeah! Oops, I slipped again. Top of Page