I know I'm preaching to the choir here, but I just found out about MORE editor layoffs, when I'm still emotionally processing the LAST ones, and I'm just... I feel so stuck? I'm just an author, but it feels so brutal. For EVERYONE. You're not my therapist, Jenn, but I'm just wondering if there's something we can do?
I've been alternating between crying and rage for a couple days now (even more than usual, oof) -- so IDK if I'm in the best position to give life advice here.
I think the only thing you as an author or illustrator can do is, keep on trucking. That means keep writing books, making art, sharing books, finding joy, lifting up other creators, and all that good stuff.
Publishing is a business. Businesses sometimes make brutal decisions in service of their owners/shareholder's quest for a better bottom line.
Writing kids books is an art. Art and business simply don't have the same goals, so it can be a difficult juxtaposition.
As much as we might think "oh, these publishers make beautiful books, they care so much about children's literacy and our artistic endeavors", and that's true to SOME extent, they aren't philanthropic organizations. They are in it for the money at the end of the day, and if they aren't making money, they are going to change that by whatever means are necessary.
But... that doesn't change the fact that kids in this world need books. PEOPLE need books. Our culture can't survive without your work. So, I think you just have to keep doing the work, and realize that while publishers can be valuable partners in that work, corporations aren't your friends. And sometimes they will make decisions that you hate and that are out of your control.
Sad truth
