Closure and Next Steps

Today I have bitter-sweet news to share.

Tomorrow is my official last day as an intern @ FinePrint Literary Management in NYC.  My experience in their program has been invaluable, informative and above all else SO fun!  The staff at FinePrint is top notch, and they have given me so many new tools for my little publishing arsenal.  I will miss our day-to-day dearly, but treasure all the knowledge and 1:1 time they've given me.

On the sweeter side, I have also been fortunate enough to land a position as an independent contractor for the next three months.  As mentioned in an earlier post, I will be working with a fabulous, seasoned and diverse publishing professional on a host of projects.  Her twenty-plus years in the industry promise to give me tons of new experiences and tasks to add to my publishing repertoire.

While I am sad to see the first official chapter of my publishing career come to a close, I am very excited for this next chapter to begin.

As I mentioned when I initially started this blog, anyone who wants to break into the industry has to wait their turn, and work their way up the ranks.  Here's to rung #1 on my career ladder, and stepping up to rung #2.

Wish me luck!

~Michelle In Turn

Due Diligence

As a career changer with a budding new career in the broad field of publishing, I can't help but always have my ear to the ground in search of new and exciting opportunities.  The publishing industry is in the middle of a great shake-up.  With all the modern technology available today, writers are crawling out of the woodwork, and using unconventional methods to get their writing out to the masses. This is changing the game for a lot of publishing professionals, and means that someone like me has to work twice as hard to learn the old ways of doing things, as well as the new and upcoming.  However, in this ever-changing world of publishing you really must do your due diligence.

"What's due diligence" you ask?  Well, Miriam-Webster's website will give a good description (see below),  but basically it means CYA, or in explicit American slang, Cover Your Ass!


I've recently been presented with a great opportunity to learn a lot, and potentially earn a modest living, from a very successful writer, editor, and entrepreneur extraordinaire.  But with that opportunity comes the challenge of just how to handle this new opportunity.

I've spent hours (in truth, weeks) researching the various aspects of my new career path.  I've had to, because I'm putting both my reputation and my livelihood on the line.  I have worked too hard in my life to risk losing it all for an oversight or a poor decision.  So I guess that's where this post is directing me to today.

Regardless of what industry you are in, or seeking out, and what the job title or description is, be sure you know the ins and outs of it intimately, well before you jump in with both feet.  There will always be risk involved, as I'm a firm believer in the theory of no risk = no reward, but you can make these risks less frightening and more fruitful if you spend some time doing your homework, reaching out to others in your field and being certain you understand all legal ramifications.

As I embark on a new chapter in my life, and walk the road less traveled, I am always embracing the challenge of forging ahead in a world of uncertainty.

More reports on my new endeavor later,

~Michelle In Turn

due diligence

 noun

Definition of DUE DILIGENCE

1

: the care that a reasonable person exercises to avoid harm to other persons or their property

2

: research and analysis of a company or organization done in preparation for a business transaction (as a corporate merger or purchase of securities)