Page 11 of Not on the Same Page

Anastasios brings his pointer finger to his mouth and regards me again. “They will need a new editorial director. Theirs is retiring as soon as the merger is complete.”

Well, that’s interesting. “Really,” I state more than ask, still careful not to show too much interest. As much as I might want this conversation to be leading toward something new for me, as a Black man in this industry that has historically been not very diverse, I don’t want to get my hopes up.

“Mm-hmm. JMP’s CEO, Mark, asked if I had anyone who would be a good fit for the job. I told him I did, but I’d have to talk to you about it first.”

That has my heart skipping a beat. “Me?”

“Like I said, you have an eye for successful titles. You work closely with your authors but also have a hand in marketing and design—more so than any other senior editor here. You’d have the ability to oversee a full team from editing through production and continue to work on a lead title or two each season if you choose. And it would come with a considerable raise.”

I blink a few times, trying to process this information. Never in my wildest dreams have I ever thought I could head up my own press. It’s not that I don’t want to. I just never thought I’d have the opportunity. While the publishing world is different than it was, starting a press from the ground up would require more time and effort than I have, and taking on a more established press would likely mean moving away from Chicago, something I wouldn’t be willing to do.

But if my understanding is correct, this is an absolute dream scenario. A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that I’d be a fool to pass up. Not to mention the money would be a huge help right now.

I’m not usually one to be at a loss for words, but I’m not sure what to say. This is an incredible offer.

Anastasios must interpret my silence as uncertainty, because he says, “Of course, you can take some time to think about it.”

“No,” I say quickly. “I’m just trying to wrap my head around it, is all.”

He nods with understanding. “This did come out of nowhere.” Smiling as if at his own private joke, he adds, “It’s always unexpected when things move quickly in publishing.”

A shocked laugh escapes me. Anastasios Martis is not one to joke around. “I’m honored that you thought of me for this position, sir. I accept.”

“Wonderful.” He smiles. “I’ll verify with Mark, but I would assume they will want you to at least start acquainting yourself with the team at Starlight right away. I’m happy to help you approach junior editors here who might want to make the move with you.”

“I’ll take all the help I can get.”

He nods once, his smile fading slightly. “If I may offer some advice, then? As someone who was in this position not too long ago.”

“Of course.”

Pressing his lips together and narrowing his eyes again, he takes in a sharp breath through his nose. “Starlight is still in a tenuous position. Money from the acquisition will help, and I’m sure Mark will give you a budget for new writers to start. But if you don’t have a breakout title rather quickly, it’ll be difficult to get your name out there as a serious player in the industry.”

“No pressure,” I mutter.

Anastasios regards me softly, almost in a fatherly way. “If anyone can handle it, you can. But I would highly suggest keeping your eyes out for a really stellar writer at this conference. Someone untested and with a lot of talent. And then take the manuscript on yourself rather than passing it to your team. You can mold a manuscript from someone like that into exactly what you need to turn the press around rather quickly.”

“Yes, sir. I will do that. Thank you.”

He nods again in a clear signal of dismissal. I rise from my seat.

“I won’t pretend I’ve done everything perfectly in this position,” he says as I gather my things. “But I have learned a thing or two along the way. I’m here for as much or as little help as you might need.”

I pause. “Thank you.”

“Of course. If it’s all right with you, we’ll make the announcement soon, before you leave for Writers and Agents. That way, you’ll have some extra clout going into the conference.”

Oh, wow. This really is going to move fast. “Can you give me a day or two? I’d like a few people to hear it from me, if that’s okay.”

“That’s fine.”

I turn to make my way out of the conference room, excitement bubbling within me so quickly I might burst. I want to make it back to my office to make a few phone calls and talk to Ryan as soon as I can.

“And Casey?” Anastasios says. When I face him again, his expression breaks into a true grin, his icy-blue eyes lighting up. “Congratulations.”

“Thank you.” I can’t help but return the smile.

“It’s not Sunday,” my brother says as he sits at a table in the restaurant where he works. “Is everything okay?”