The Life of An Ambitious Book Girl

That's Not Exactly What I Meant...

2008-01-30T07:01:00.000-08:00

I recently received an email from one of "our" authors, an Olympic gold medalist, the email had wished me a good start to the new year and went on to ask whether or not there will be a push in publicity with her book. Since her book is nearly two years old it would clearly be impossible to find anyone willing to interview her again! So, I reply back ever so kindly "great to hear from you! if you happen to have a new hook for your book I would be happy to pitch it."

Patiently waiting for a reply, days later she wrote me back "Excellent happy to hear you are willing to give it another push, I look forward to hearing all the ideas you have" ??????????????????? Hmmmm that's not what I meant exactly.

I understand that an author's book is their baby, they possibly spend months or years working, editing and meeting with publishers and experts in the industry to help them polish off their manuscript. And, when it comes time to promoting their "baby" a lot of time and energy is put into writing press releases, creating press kits, pitching the book to relevant media outlets, throwing launch parties and sending out galleys. After working on a book for a season followed by a reprint the next, it's time to lay the book on the shelves and leave it there for only consumers to pick up and hopefully buy. It's hard for most authors to understand that a book doesn't have a long lifespan when it comes to publicity...unless you're Tom Cruise or Dan Brown they can only talk about your book for so long. I know it comes out sounding harsh, but if you embrace the fact that everyday new and more enticing books are released then you will push yourself to keep on writing and producing books that will continuously give you and your writing exposure.

Send along any questions.

Ambition is my Perogative,

BookGirl

Chivalry

2008-01-23T12:22:00.000-08:00

I love chivalry, yes I believe that a woman can "fend" for herself and is strong enough to accomplish her goals without a mans help. But, it's wonderful to have a man open a door for you, slide the chair out at a restaurant, show up with flowers and ask you out on a date rather then send you Facebook message.

Thinking back to the Victorian age, when men would court the delicately spoken young woman-requesting her to accompany him to a show or dinner...In reality,chivalry isn't dead! Men still open the doors for us (at least my boyfriend still does after 3 years), they are polite and when awed by a beautiful woman they do anything to gain her affection in return.

Today, on the GO train a man offered me his seat! I was so thrilled to see that chivalry still exists!! I of course refused his generous offer, feeling bad that he would have to stand while I comfortably sat in his seat...next to his wife.

Take care and thanks to all those men who keep chivalry alive,

Ambition is my Perogative,

BookGirl

Coffee

2008-01-17T07:55:00.000-08:00

Morning,

I go to this great place downstairs almost every morning for a cup of hazelnut vanilla coffee, it's so soothing and full of rich flavours that I feel like I'm sitting on a terrace in Italy...but then my coffee is dunzo and I snap back to reality and realize that I am sitting at my cubicle...which isn't so bad, but it's definitely not Italy.

Since I haven't had that much work to do recently, I started to check out other blogs. I was so astonished to discover how creative and well versed most of you are, especially this blog Orangette...she writes so well, he words easy on the eyes and soothing to the heart I think that all of us need a little Orangette.

Yesterday I went to see the movie Juno, two thumbs up!! If I had more thumbs I would put them up too.

Ambition is My Perogative,

BookGirl

A Day In the Life

2008-01-16T09:44:00.000-08:00

I'm feeling red today, somewhat burned up about my job situation...I haven't "really" had any stimulating or productive work to do in nearly 2 months!! I realize that it is a quiet time in the publishing world but seriously there must be something a girl can do? So, I've been updating the database, adding new description to the website and just scrounging around for things to do.

I know this sounds weird, but I actually would love to have work to do...if I'm going to be at work all day I might as well work my little tush off--don't you think? I'm in a bit of a rut these days with work, I know that I won't be getting a promotion anytime soon because they need to keep my position filled at all times. So, I started sending out my resume to a whole bunch of exciting companies...haven't heard back from anyone but my fingers are crossed and that means business : )

Tonight, I'm going to see Juno with the MAMA....did you guys like it?

High horse chick is still on a high horse, I barely speak to her there's no point...she comes to our cubible area whenever it's good for her and whenever she has a high horse story to tell. She's a one upper, if you don't know what that means it's probably because you are one too...OK kidding (a little lol) but whatever you say she has something better, more knowledgeable than the rest. I'm so bored and got so much time on my hands that I sit here and dwell on this shit...can someone rescue me from my work misery?

Ambition is my Perogative (and it's lacking now)

BookGirl

It's Friday

2008-01-11T09:47:00.000-08:00

Thank you Friday!
As you can tell I am so glad it's Friday, more so because there hasn't been much work around here to do and it's def. a drag to say the least. I'm getting tired of updating the database and adding books to the website...which reminds me that I should probably get back to my story of being demoted. I worked in reception everyday for half a day and had a desk in the office for the rest, it was fine to be honest, I would meet various authors and agents, take phone calls and get to know the different aspects of the industry/office and who does what. After a few months, I stoppped doing reception and had a full time desk/computer/phone/my area in the main office area which was great...techniqually it wasn't a promotion but just a slight shift. Oh yah, and I got a new title that I had no idea existed until I saw the employee list and titles.

Catch up soon,

Ambition is my Perogative

BookGirl

Office Politics

2008-01-07T18:01:00.000-08:00

Office politics are most of the time unnecessary, especially when you have a co-worker who is not your boss but is on her high horse. I don't mean to discriminate but why are most women on high horses? Anyways this girl at my office, when she wears a blazer she automatically turns into a corporate bitch...After a couple hours of photocopying clippings and adding them to the media database so we can remember which author had what coverage, blazer came up to me and said "Are we making sure that these clippings are readable once scanned?" no I just add them to the database unclear!!

Moving on, I had a nice day with another co-worker who sits near me (cubicles) she's really sweet and we always have so much to talk about and learn from each other. She's so young, but so knowledgeable, it's wonderful to find such a strong trait in such a young woman : ) I find that most people who work in publishing are smart...maybe a little too smart--it can be intimidating, particularly for me because I am extremely shy and slightly self-conscious. If anyone has any advice for me bring it on.

Till then,

Ambition is my Perogative,

BookGirl

ninepounddictator: Belated New Years...

2008-01-07T11:43:00.000-08:00

ninepounddictator: Belated New Years...

YAWN.....

2008-01-04T12:54:00.000-08:00

I thought that working in the world of publishing would be more interesting...especially in my department, but unfortunately it's not so exciting--especially when you are all the way down on the toddem pole. Since being back at work this week it's been boring, nothing to do but update the media database, contact writers at various newspapers and magazines to make sure they still exist and their positions haven't changed (well if they have, hopefully for the better unlike a sad story that happened to me)

I wasn't sure when I should bring out this story but maybe nows a good time to tell you just a little of what happened to me right when I started working here. I was hired knowing by my boss that I didn't have too much work experience, but since I am motivated (or should i say "was motivated") and driven they loved me...how could you not? I was hired!! Weeks later, I was called into the publisher's office and told that my position would change due to my lack of experience...they felt that I should have started from the bottom up rather then start at the top with those who had more experience. Sadly, I was demoted.

I'll continue this posting a little later, I need to get back to work.

Ambition if my Perogative,

BookGirl

Back at Work

2008-01-02T13:38:00.000-08:00

I was down south for the holidays, soaking in the hot rays, enjoying the ocean, the pool and the shopping!! It was nice to have over a week off of work and do nothing but receive intakes of vitamin D!!

Prior to the end of the year there wasn't much to do around the office, updating the website and tweeking words which authors prefer not have in their bios, mailing out books to reviewers who don't normally respond to my emails and the best part if updating the database. There are times when it is exciting, learning who works where, names, companies, media but it's also becomes hard to stare at a computer for 8 hours straight...no wonder everyone in the office wears glasses.

When I started working here it was hard to understand the industry, even though I had some background experience. Most days I felt inexperienced, definitely not confident with my work or myself and that being said I really didn't have that must direction from my superiors it was a self-learning process--if that makes any sense. Most of my co-workers enrolled in publishing programs, many also had experience working in publishing so they had an upper hand (they still do today). I'm still learning and there are days when I feel inexperienced and unsure of myself...maybe it's because I am at the bottom of the barrel working my way up the corporate ladder, I know that if I do move houses or leave for an agency I will only do it when I am super confident in my abilities and my work.

Till then,

Ambition is my Perogative

BookGirl

2007-12-18T17:07:00.000-08:00

Not to long ago I started an amazing job at a Toronto publishing house! With hardly any experience other than a book under my belt I started my hot shot, downtown job.

Growing up I always wrote short stories, devoured books (that's when I actually knew how to read) okay I figure I can share an embarassing story on this blog...I didn't really know how to read up until grade 2 I would pretend : ( sit in the library with a great book and pretend to be reading it. That's how important reading was to me, how much I wanted to read!!

Not too long ago I began to freelance and write seriously, I met many people in the book industry who really helped me to get to where I am today...which isn't too far but far enough for a 27 year old girl/young woman who is not slowly approaching 30 eeeeeeek. I wasn't sure what type of job I wanted to do, if I wanted to be an editor, a publicist, an events coordinator, a full time writer aka struggling writer. But this position just fell in my lap from a very nice woman who was simply telling NOT to get into the publishing industry.

I called up this women, let's call her for kick Candy because she was feeding sweet information. So, I called up Candy for any info she could provide on the industry, what's it like, how's the pay, is it hard to "get in?" etc...Candy's immediate reaction was "honey maybe you should stick to something else, trust me the pay ain't that great...you'll be renting your entire life." But stubborn old me was adamant about working with books, authors and tons and tons of slush pile manuscripts!! Candy loved me so much that she called up a friend at another 'house' and recommended me for an opening position.

I'm going to stop here and hope that you write me and love my blog as much as I'll love writing it.

Ambition is my perogative!

Book Girl : )