The career novelist

THE CAREER NOVELIST

is what happened at Random House. No bloodbath ensued. (Not
among the editorial staff, anyway, but the war that Vitale began over
electronic rights is another matter.)
Another point to remember in the land of the giants is that genre
and commercial fiction are generally left alone in the wake of large-
scale changes. The genres are low-cost profit centers, not unlike
daytime soap operas for TV networks. There is no way Disney is
going to cancel "All My Children," and it is doubtful that any pur-
chaser of the Time Warner book publishing companies would mess
with the Mysterious Press.

Furthermore, genre publishing is a specialty. It has arcane ways
and terminology. Outsiders are, I think, a little bemused by the
insiders. In many ways that is a problem, but during the aftershocks
of a mega-merger it can be a hidden blessing.
Finally, the most important fact to remember is that the ultimate
customer of the career novelist is not conglomerates but readers.
Serve them well, make yourself a profit center, and you will not need
to fear the heavy tread of the giants. In fact, you may become one of
the very reasons that they are worth millions.
Now there's a comforting thought to take with you to the picnic.