I’ve just gotten back from a full day of listening to publishers talking about the books on their upcoming slate. Some were interesting, others were a bit dull, but overall it was very worthwhile (even if it means my entire day’s work went pretty much undone!)
The day started off with all of us in the boardroom, putting off the official commencement of our activities to take the time to listen to the Prime Minister’s apology to the Stolen Generation. I found it to be incredibly moving, eloquent and about bloody time (and as my boss said after watching it, “Really, was that so hard?”). Curious to get your opinion on it, Mr Pree!
We then launched into guest authors talking about their soon-to-be-published books. I don’t know how much I can write about on here, but I will say I now have an amusing anecdote about a florist who’s written a book about flowers. The initial impression of him is that he’s a bit Mr Humphries from Are You Being Served? (“I’m free!”), but then he turns out to be a bit more like Bunny (that’s the guy’s name, right, Ben?) from Extras, as he animatedly talks about his wife and kids. There are many more author/publisher stories from today, but like I said, I’d go into more detail if not for the possibility of jeopardizing my career.
Although now that I think about it, I’ll add this one; one of the publishers was this woman in her 50s with a very soft, beautiful German accent, attired immaculately in crisp, dark clothes and sitting with a collection of gorgeous looking books in front of her, with covers consisting of black-and-white photos and very tasteful fonts. She then, very quietly and almost sadly, asked if they looked mass market enough, as she’s wanting to sell into the airport market and wanted to know if they’d compete with the stuff they sell there (read; the disposable thrillers that are picked up and thrown away when one is travelling).
It was like watching Jackie Kennedy or Audrey Hepburn walk into a Sportsgirl and ask for a makeover, and it broke my heart. I wanted to affirm to her that she was publishing beautiful, truly worthwhile books, and to take pride in how dignified and artistic her output was, rather than go chasing the lowest common denominator. But I did not.
About forty of us are going to a Mexican restaurant on Toorak road tonight that I’ve been eyeing off for ages and that I’m told is delicious (and is only open for dinner, the bastards!). As you all probably know, I have a particular fondness for Mexican (well, good Mexican) and am very much looking forward to this.
After that, Simone is very graciously picking me up and escorting me back to my house, which I’m very happy about as I haven’t seen her in days as she’s been away for her division’s conference.
All in all, a very different, but quite pleasant Wednesday.
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