This is one of my more delightful memories of my years in book publishing.
My author Leslie Carroll (writing as Juliet Grey) sold a trilogy of books about Marie Antoinette (who never said “let ‘em eat cake”, by the way.)
We set up a meeting with the publisher, which also included the editorial director, the editor, the publicist, and the marketing people. This was held in a conference room in the Random House building across from Times Square. There we were in the heart of New York City, about to time travel to the 18th century.
While the publishing people waited in the conference room, the author was in her editor’s office, carefully dressing as Marie Antoinette. I don’t mean the cheap costume shop variety. I mean a very authentic 18th century gown, shoes, a fan, and earrings.
I walked into the conference room and introduced the queen of France–in French. In strolled the author, resplendent in her outfit and smiling as everyone gasped in delight and applauded.
The meeting went very well. Really, how could it not?
All meetings should be like that. I don’t mean that everyone should dress in a costume, but they should get creative, think outside the box, and let ideas fly.
I never tell people to work hard. I tell them to have fun. Hard work is fun when you love it.
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