Jane of All Trades

I had an interesting lunch meeting recently with a woman who wanted to learn more about the publishing industry. We’d never met in person, but before our menus were delivered to our table, I could tell that this woman was hungry and I’m not referring to the meal we were about to have.

Let’s call her “Jane,” since she reminded me of her counterpart, Jack, the one of all trades. Jane gave me a list of career moves she’d made over the last few decades. What she’d discovered early on was that employers often hired her for positions for which she wasn’t initially qualified, and with a résumé to prove it. Still, they saw her drive and willingness to learn. Oftentimes, when she was hired by certain companies or corporations, she’d be given a vague idea what they were seeking, and would end up creating her own job description. Now, she heads up her own consulting firm that has nothing to do with the publishing industry. Still, a former boss wants her to pitch his son’s book to editors. That’s why she took me to lunch: to pick my brain on how to go about such a thing.

Without blowing any sunshine, I gave her the discouraging lowdown for what she’d be up against in such a tough business. She responded with a brief scowl, then shrugged and said she was game. “I’ll learn,” she added with resolve. And who am I to doubt her? Determination is half the battle. Besides, if being a literary agent doesn’t work out for her, this Jane will do what she’s done in the past by taking another path and forging onward. I suppose there’s something to be said about making one’s own reality.