


The Frog King by Adam Davies
As Long As She Needs Me by Nicholas Weinstock
Both of these books were interesting in that they did really show people being more of a "personal assistant" than an "editorial assistant" which was also my experience (titles don't matter it turns out). Also it was interesting that they were both written by and starring men, as of course the majority of editorial assistants (and Editors) are female. Regardless of the non-publishing plots, I thought they were both accurate enough about publishing, and I was as editorial assistant when I read these.

These kinds of books and TV shows can be really tricky. Just like how I imagine doctors are annoyed watching "E.R." and lawyers are annoyed by "Law & Order", I read (and watch) these with trepidation. I do not watch "Castle", although 10 years ago I did watch "Stark Raving Mad," the very brief TV show where Neil Patrick Harris played the editor of Tony Shaloub's quirky, reclusive, bestselling novelist (who annoyingly lived in the Flatiron Building, where I used to work. That show, like "Veronica's Closet" before it, never thought to make sets that weren't rectangles although purportedly both took place in a triangular building. Let me assure you, I worked there and precious few

The Devil Wears Prada takes place in magazine publishing, not book publishing, but the two industries are first cousins. I haven't read it though as it hit a little close to home compared to my own job in New York (I have watched the movie version).

Youngblood Hawke by Herman Wouk and No Angel by Penny Vincenzi are fun historical novels about the industry. Not very useful, but entertaining nonetheless.
A colleague recommended Blind Submission: A Novel by Debra Ginsberg, which is about agenting.
What other novels/movies/TV shows about working in the world of publishing should I add to my list?
Stay tuned for info next Thursday on Literary Agents.
2 comments:
it is funny how often i find myself thinking about the other side of the story. it was so helpful when i was going through the submission process. i had no idea what was going on and this book really helped!
i love this series you're doing!!!
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