Work with the Middleman

Several days ago, I wrote about how many writers are attempting to get devotional books published yet publishers are using book packagers or book producers to make these books.   I’ve been doing some additional thinking about this topic because it’s my turn to lead a discussion on an online writer’s group (which isn’t as public of a forum as this blog).  Many writers are approaching a publisher for a devotional book or children’s book. They are trying to work with the wrong person.  In many cases, the publisher isn’t using individual writers for these products. They are using a middleman. If you don’t know about the middleman or book packager, then you can’t find the work. Packagers hire writers.

Publishers use packagers or book producers because these sources have earned their dependability and trust.  With a high level of confidence a publisher can give a packager an assignment usually based on a small sample of the design and writing. The publisher doesn’t have to use much internal energy from their editors or graphic designers (I say much because someone in house has to monitor the packagers work but it involves a small amount of time). And the publisher can depend on this packager to deliver excellence on time (and writers are notoriously late).

When I was doing some research for this online discussion, I learned about the American Book Producer Association which has been around since 1980. I should not have been surprised there is a trade organization of packagers.  These packagers hire writers and graphic designers to pull together these finished books for publishers. Their site includes some excellent articles including What Is A Book Producer and Why Publishers Use Packagers. Also notice a valuable resource for writers—a directory of their members including name, address, phone numbers and email addresses.

Hold up a minute before you flood their offices with submissions and paperwork. Do you want to get some of this writing work? The majority of it is work made for hire and some writers resist this type of writing but I’ve done a lot of it over the years.  If you decide you want to pursue some of this writing, then like any type of submission, you need to make a good first impression. What do you have to show these book producers that you can write and deserve one of their assignments? What types of books do they produce? Have you written the type of material the producer has done in the past? How can you show the packager that you will be an excellent choice to meet their needs? These questions are a few of the ones you will answer with your approach and it will increase their interest and your possibility for an assignment.

Even with a good pitch, you should be prepared to try out on speculation. A few times, I’ve tried out for some packagers and not received the assignment. That experience always feels bad for the writer because essentially you’ve poured creative work and energy into something which hasn’t gone ahead—or has gotten rejected. But I want you to know you can be rejected for your try out work with the packager. It’s another reality of the business of publishing. For whatever reason, they didn’t feel like it was a good fit—and it’s their call (which I respect). Other times, I’ve tried out and received the assignment, met the deadline and received fair compensation for solid work (all that anyone can ask for in this publishing business).

As I’ve mentioned in the past, there are no short cuts or quick fixes. Just understand using a book producer could be another opportunity for you to practice your writing craft and build some more experience. In this case, you can’t cut out the middleman but need to work with this company.