Part of managing proposal teams – especially those with members who go from one RFP response to the next, without a significant break – is taking the time to celebrate the milestones, to acknowledge the accomplishments.
Work-without-end is the administrative environment, the service environment. By contrast, people who gravitate to project work – especially to demanding project work like proposals – like to see things completed. So even though the work is never really done – there’s always another RFP on the horizon (maybe even on their plate) – take time to pause and enjoy the hiatus, however artificial.
For more on this mindset, read on . . .
We’re not in Kansas anymore, boys and girls – we’re in Publishing Land!
Today I signed (is that a faint drum roll I hear amid the background noise?) a royalties-based contract to publish my book. Now, on going into this I was prepared for the co-publishing option in which the author and the publisher split the publishing costs. After all, I’m a first-time author and my book is for a niche market. (I can’t understand why everyone wouldn’t be eager to read about Proposal Land, but there it is.) But my publisher has decided that the book has enough potential to warrant the more traditional approach: they take the publishing risk and I get royalties. Managing that risk becomes their focus; helping sell books becomes mine.
So without further ado (now, be honest – Has there been any ado at all?), let me introduce my gutsy publisher (no more quotation marks needed, no siree): General Store Publishing House. I’ve met the key people either in person, on the phone, or virtually – manager, editor, designer – and to a man/woman they are interesting and dedicated folks. Still to come, the publicist, but in this company, how can she be otherwise?
Although this feels in some ways like the end of the road, it is also the start of a new journey. There are many things to do, many decisions to make.
But not tonight. Tomorrow will be time enough for starting to tackle the next slug of work. Tonight is a time for pausing long enough to enjoy the accomplishment.
Ta da!
Bravo, bravo! That’s a huge step forward.
Jim
Jim – It is indeed. Thanks for the congrats – it really is pretty exciting. Just wait until I sell the movie rights!
Movie rights!! Who would you want to play you???
Congratulations!!
I never doubted it would happen.
Barbara – Yikes – I never thought about that part… Maybe we’ll just go for the radio play. And thanks!
Isabel,
I cannot say I am too surprised (very, very, happy for you indeed, but not all that surprised). After all those proposals to get someone to buy some product or service – selling the book was a natural for you!
Neil – Thanks kindly! Actually (and regrettably), although many of the same lessons apply, my emotional investment in my own “stuff” makes it quite a different kettle of fish. Haddock maybe.