I don’t know how many you of have seen the movie THE PROPOSAL but I would like to take a moment, here and now, to tell you, in no uncertain terms, that publishing is NOTHING like that. Glamorous? Nope. Fancy offices? Nah uh. An author who doesn’t want be on Oprah? Not a chance!

I may get in trouble for this but I’m going to let you, oh dearly beloved Avon Romance Blog readers, in on the dark and sordid side of Romance Publishing.

Did you know that editors don’t just get to spend the day sitting back on tufted couches reading and editing and munching on bonbons? Usually we do most of that stuff at home--well, the reading and editing part at least. The bonbon munching is optional.

Did you know that, in fact, we spend most of the day answering email, answering the phone, and mailing insane numbers of packages? I took this picture the other day. I had completely blocked the doorway to my office! Each time an author’s book is published in a foreign country, we get copies! And, someone has to make sure they get to the authors! That’s where the editors come in.

Did you know that we use Post-It® Notes like they’re going out of style? When I’ve finished editing a book, one side always looks like it’s wearing a grass skirt! My favorite part of the editing process is when I have finished my second go-through and pulled all of the Post-Its®. Though I often find them stuck to other papers for days after!

Did you know that to send the pictures to my computer, so that I could share my pain with you, I had to go stand in a far corner of Carrie’s office and hold my cell phone next to the window? Glamorous, indeed!

Did you know that no one who looks like Ryan Reynolds works at Avon?

Are there any deep dark publishing secrets you’re dying to have debunked? Let me know!