Even the best need others’ help.
by Andy Scheer
Next weekend I plan to attend a music festival. I anticipate a glorious variety: 11 bands performing 78 concerts in 5 venues.
While a few feature a big-name front man, even they depend on the contribution of talented side men.
The genre for the weekend is traditional jazz, what some call Dixieland. It’s an art form built not on solos, but ensemble performances. While the front line—trumpet, trombone, and clarinet—usually carry the melody, they count on the foundation provided by the back line rhythm section.
Likewise in publishing, even the biggest authors aren’t solo artists.
Even the biggest authors aren’t solo artists.
Case in point: Thriller writer Steve Berry has fifteen published novels. Each contains at least a page of acknowledgments, thanking the behind-the-scenes people whose work enabled each of his stories to go into multiple printings.
I know gifted authors—and also expert editors, typesetters, cover designers, printers, publicists, and social media specialists. But I’ve never met anyone who combines all those skills. The best authors still need others whose skills complement theirs.
Yes, you can try to go it alone. But why not follow the example of the top professionals?
