Accountants Quote by Doris Lessing
“And it does no harm to repeat, as often as you can, 'Without me the literary industry would not exist: the publishers, the agents, the sub-agents, the sub-sub-agents, the accountants, the libel lawyers, the departments of literature, the professors, the theses, the books of criticism, the reviewers, the book pages- all this vast and proliferating edifice is because of this small, patronized, put-down and underpaid person.'”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Interview, 1990s, Doris Lessing discussing publishing
The quote highlights the essential, often undervalued role of editors in sustaining the entire literary ecosystem.
In simple terms: Editors are crucial to the book industry.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and value editorial work.
Themes
literary ecosystem
recognition
valuation
workplace hierarchy
industry dependence
Mood
reflective
critical
appreciative
Type
observational
analytical
commentary
When to use this quote
- publishing houses
- academic research
- author collaborations
- media criticism
Key Concepts
editorial labor
cultural production
economic interdependence
Questions to Reflect On
- How does acknowledging editors change industry dynamics?
- What steps can improve editor compensation?
A Different Perspective
Editors are often underpaid and overlooked despite their impact.
