Eoin Purcell's Blog

I once had a meeting with an author who mentioned that his work load (he was an engineer) was now 75% accounting and often times it seems the same in publishing. Weekly, monthly and quarterly sales reports need to be compiled, Royalty payments need to be monitored, stock numbers checked, returns agreed to and banks statements checked, not to mention expenses. I do not mind working with numbers to be honest, in fact when I have the time they are fine, it’s just that I rarely have time to dedicate to it so they seem always to be done to deadlines!

That is on top of more mundane matters, like stationary and light bulbs, new computer hardware and software, desktop printers couriers and the rest. With all the admin sometimes getting stuck into a deep piece of editing is an excellent escape. Some people in the industry love that side of it but not me. I enjoy it don’t get me wrong but I am much more at home on the road meeting with people and agreeing contracts and book ideas.

I wonder what the split is industry wide. Would most desk editors rather be out commissioning or would many commissioners rather be editing? I am lucky enough to have a balance where I work but I’d love to know how everyone else feels.