The Spreadsheet of Dreams: Life in the Acquisitions Department
One of the first things I was told to do as an acquisitions associate for Elephant Page Publishing was to face the “Submissions Tracker” in Excel. This is the all-knowing document. The guide to my life. Before I even get to reading the stories sent to my department, I’m deep in data, carefully logging every author name, title, genre, and word count that rings the bell of our inbox. It is a ritual, every manuscript and synopsis is tucked away into their own tab in Teams.
My job isn’t just to sit down and read; it is to look for potential. For myself personally, my process involves curling up on the couch, the manuscripts on my laptop and my iPad with my notes. I find it easier to have two devices open at the same time, so I can see everything clearer and not get lost between documents. As I read, I look for the spark that makes me forget I’m working but instead simply enjoying my time off from school or work and unwinding with a good book. However, the process is not as simple as reading a book for leisure and finding myself liking or disliking it. I have to explain why I feel the way I do and put reason to my madness.
The real challenge of working in the acquisitions department isn’t the reading, it’s the decision-making. It’s the frantic back-and-forth when a story is good, but not quite there yet. We found ourselves in a constant tug-of-war: Does the manuscript spark something in us? Do we like the manuscript or do we love it? Does it still need work to meet the Elephant Page’s vision for a publishable manuscript? Does it need a second, or even third, reader? Is it to be shortlisted or rejected? We can’t just leave these manuscripts floating in the unread pile, but we also weren’t ready to delay the dreams of its author. This uncertainty led us to creating the “Limbo” tab in Teams. This was our way of organising these manuscripts to ensure that no story was being overlooked just because it didn’t fit into the “yes” or “no” boxes straight off the first and second reading.
In my opinion, the biggest challenge in being a cog in this machine was not the assessing of the manuscripts but the rejection letters. Even with a template to guide us, the pressure to get it right was immense. We know that an impersonalised, generic response hurts and can give root to resentment or bitterness. Along with my team, I’ve spent many hours drafting letters, using my opinionated notes to find something wonderful to highlight in every submission but to also offer improvements to any weaknesses noted. It’s a delicate balance that must be upheld, honouring the dream while being honest about the current capacity of our publishing house.
While the “no’s” are a heavy part of the job, they are what make the “yes” moments so special and life changing. They are necessary to bring a sense of closure to the authors so that they move on to their next chapter of the publishing and writing world. Every spreadsheet update and every hour spent in “Limbo” is a step forward in finding the next voice we get to share.
Acquisitions Associate
Jessica Bull