Guest Post – Editorial Wisdom by Liz Strauss
Today we have the final installation in this week’s guest post marathon, with the anchor leg being run by none other than your friend and mine, Liz Strauss of Successful Blog (sound of crowd going wild)!
No matter what I could ever tell you, words are simply inadequate to describe the queen of relationship blogging. Back when I first began the Middle Zone, I accidentally stumbled across Successful Blog – and was so intimidated by the accumulated information, helps, and advice it literally scared me away! Luckily, good sense prevailed and I came back; I now count Liz as a genuine friend and continuing inspiration. If you’ve never visited her site, well Bubba, you’d better run, not walk, as fast as you can, and get there! You’ll understand what I mean.
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Editorial Wisdom
By Liz Strauss
Her name was Connie. She had just graduated with a Masters in English. She was bright, cheerful, and a fabulous thinker. That’s why I hired her. I was pretty sure she could run the world in a year or two. I figured she’d have no problem keeping track of me and the editors on my team.
Welcome to the world of publishing, Connie.
It happened just as predicted. Connie soon charmed leery editors into letting her help with what they were doing. Even those least ready to let go of their work would look for the morning meeting to go over things with our team member. She had won them over in a matter of days. Her work had lightened their load.
I was pretty pleased that things were working out as I had planned.
I kept coaching Connie to understand that editors have trouble with letting go of details and responsibility. I kept telling her how impressed I was that she had their trust so quickly.
I was also pretty pleased that I didn’t suffer from such fear of delegation.
Then one day I was looking at a package that Connie had prepared for me. It had everything, including a formal letter with my signature… This was a bit disconcerting.
“Connie,” I said, “Could you c’mere for a sec.” She came in. I spoke as kindly as I might. “One day, I’m sure I’ll feel great about you signing my letters, but I think it’s too soon now.”
“Liiiiiiz,” she said smiling. “YOU signed that.”
“Gosh, I’m glad I didn’t get all ballistic and weird over that. It could have been really embarrassing.”
She laughed and said, “Oh, I know editors have a problem with delegation. Sure is a good thing that you aren’t one.”
I kept my editorial wisdom to myself the rest of the day.
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Thanks, Liz, for giving us a glimpse of the Whacky World of Publishing. And many, many thanks to all the illustrious guest authors this week:
Brad Shorr, of Word Sell, Inc.
Joanna Young, of Confident Writing
Y’all drop by their places and check ‘em out. Heck, add ‘em to your RSS readers, why don’cha? You’ll be glad you did!
To the four of you, I give you a big ol’ tip o’ the hat for sharing your wisdom with the Middle Zone community!
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Middle Zone Musings is a comfortable place to stop, have a cup of coffee, swap a few stories and share practical ideas for the real world. I don't ask for much, just a bit of your brain every now and then. Have a seat, take a load off, and relax...
Thanks for sharing this story Liz. Sounds like you had a very wise assistant!
I wonder if she really had signed it – but was smart enough to know how to make you think you had?
Joanna
Joanna Youngs last blog post..Tune Into The Calm Space
Liz, thanks for the side splitting laugh! ROFL! I have opened mouth and inserted foot so many times in life. I’m glad you shared the laugh with us! Happy Friday!
Karen
Karen Swims last blog post..How Will You Measure this Month?
Joanna, I was thinking the same thing.
Thanks for sharing this story Liz.
Robert, thank you again for allowing me to guest post! I really enjoyed chatting with your readers and the guest posts this week were wonderful!
Karen Swims last blog post..How Will You Measure this Month?
I got your site from Randa Clay It’s amazing, a lot of people are already a part of this “u comment i follow” movement. I’m sure glad I am!
Sincerely,
Nobe
Ii have two blogs following the movement. Yipee!
love letters to my infant son – http://www.deariago.blogspot.com
my favorite internet things – http://www.nobe112681.blogspot.com
P.S. I’m sorry i can’t find an article related to “u comment i follow” on this page. So i just put my comment on you latest entry.
nobes last blog post..YOUR CREDIT NETWORK
Liz, thanks for your contribution to the Middle Zone this week in my absence. Gee, when I asked you to guest, I had no idea you were in the midst of the “blog for show” thing. Thanks for squeezing in the time anyway! You’re a peach!
Cheers!
Liz,
It takes a “big” person to use her own mistakes as object lessons to help others grow. Yet the ability to do that is one of the finest character traits of all true leaders.
Thanks for sharing those words of wisdom!
Jeanne
Hey, you guys, I know it took forever for me to get over here to say thanks for reading this story of my brain glitch (one of many, I can assure you). But that doesn’t mean I’m any less grateful that you came, read, and said those lovely things you said.
I really do believe that was my signature on that letter. Publishing makes us all crazy or turns us nasty. I liked the crazy ones best.
Robert, it was a pleasure to guest post for you.
Thanks for your patience with me.
Liz
Liz Strausss last blog post..Social Bookmarking to Manage Your Online Presence