The Informalities of the Publishing Business

Publishing is a first-name business. Those of us in the field almost never refer to each other as Mr. or Ms., even if we’re strangers. Our letters and emails typically begin, “Dear Katinka,” “Dear Dinesh,” “Dear P.J.,” and so on.

This shocks and surprises some people, especially if they’re from the south or midwest. To them, calling a stranger by their first name seems pushy and even rude—a bit like offering unsolicited details on your finances or sex life.

But publishing—or, rather, the book, magazine, newspaper, and other industries that make up what we call publishing—is an informal business. Few men wear ties; few women wear business suits. I’ve never had anyone in publishing try to impress me with their car, jewelry, briefcase, or trophy partner. And if someone did try, it wouldn’t work; I’d note their vanity, nor their high-end stuff.

If you do address someone in publishing as Mr. or Ms., you immediately identify yourself as an outsider—and, perhaps, as an amateur. So if you’re uncomfortable with publishing’s high level of informality, get over it. Being too formal or proper could hurt you.

In my 35+ years in this business, I have only once had someone object to my calling them by their first name. That was 14 years ago, and the objection was mild—a small, polite correction added at the end of a cordial letter.

Have you ever riled up someone in publishing by calling them by the first name? Or, more likely, have you ever shut yourself out by not using a first name?