In This Space

Earlier this week I read Kassia Kozser, aka Booksquare’s, very well thought out piece about what new skills publishing houses need to obtain.  I think its required reading and you can find it over here.  Yesterday, Digital Book World’s Roundtable discussion was about the personal skills which need to be cultivated to succeed in publishing during these days of change.

As both an industry veteran and job seeker this is a topic near and dear to my heart. I’ve certainly mulled over my own ideas about what I need to do to remain competitive. In my last “official” words at RH and throughout the time I took off the words that resonated most with me were “reboot and restart.”

The things that came up in the DBW discussion (and traits that I believe I possess) which I want to highlight are the following:

You can put curiosity into practice today by questioning things.  Start with the “whys,” and don’t accept “because we always done it that way” as an answer.  Get more details.   I’d be willing to bet this is no longer the best way to do something. And while you’re asking questions, learn more about what the people you depend on to complete a job are doing.  Gaining an understanding of the bigger processes may spark ideas to create a better workflow for everyone.

In my experience, working within a team to bounce ideas around leads to seeing the way out of a problem and into a solution. And most importantly it takes you out of your world and connects you to the greater goal.

“You’ve got to be in it, to win it.”  If at first you don’t succeed, try again. Lather, Rinse, and Repeat.

I know I see more clearly when I’m enjoying what I’m doing. We didn’t get into publishing for the money, we all got into it because of our passion for books – enjoy that passion at whatever it is your doing to help bring a book to a reader.

*PS Yes it is clear to me that I’m less persistence with blogging but I am battling to conquering my fear of blogging failure!