My goal when I started writing the Beyond Words blog was, first and foremost, to shine a spotlight on all the people who work behind the scenes to bring an author’s vision into the world. I think it’s safe to say that your average reader has only the vaguest idea of what goes into actually creating the book they hold in their hands, download to their screen, or stream through their headphones. Going simply off conversations I’ve had with my friends and family since I told them I sold THE RECRUITER back in 2022, most people know that publishing houses employ editors, who work with authors to make sure their book doesn’t have any typos, but beyond that, the general publishing flow chart in the general public’s head goes something like this:
1. Author writes book.
2. Author sends book to publisher.
3. Editor likes book and pays author several million dollars to publish it.
4. Four to six months later, the book hits the shelves while the author sips champagne on his brand new yacht.
Of course, anyone who gets past step one–which is a commendable achievement in and of itself–knows that the rest of that process is as fictionalized as the story they just wrote.
Traditional publishing, which is the route I decided to go early on and what I have endeavored to dissect in this blog, is a glacial process, but also has so many more moving parts than anyone outside the industry would ever conceive.
Someone needs to keep all those moving parts running smoothly. Someone like Megan Bixler. Megan serves as the Chief Operating Officer at Blackstone Publishing, where she drives operations with a strong emphasis on innovation, efficiency, and growth. A devoted mom and outdoor enthusiast, Megan finds inspiration in the stunning landscapes of the Pacific Northwest, fueling both her personal and professional endeavors. Her passion for the publishing industry and unwavering commitment to excellence have been key in advancing Blackstone’s growth and success.
My Editor, Daniel Ehrenhaft, has described you as “Someone who knows everything there is to know about Blackstone, top to bottom.” Aside from being a Blackstone savant, what’s your role at the company and how did you get started?
I joined Blackstone in 2009 as a Sales Analyst in our Sales Department. Over the years, I transitioned to roles including Technical Data Analyst under our new CTO, followed by Director of Publishing, reporting directly to our CEO. A few years later, I was promoted to COO. Working across various capacities for more than 15 years has provided me with extensive knowledge of Blackstone’s operations.
When you joined the company, they were strictly an audiobook producer. What prompted the decision to get into the print side of publishing?
Due to substantial growth in the audio market and a prevailing trend among acquisitions to bundle audio rights with print, we understood the necessity of securing comprehensive rights. In order to maintain access to premier titles, we strategically transformed into an all-rights publisher proficient in managing audio, print, and ebooks.
You were promoted to COO during the height of the pandemic, which could not have been easy. Was there a plan in place for how to move forward during such a stressful time, or was that something you had to develop during your first days on the job?
I was fortunate to have prior experience with remote work from our Portland satellite office (which closed during the pandemic), so I was already familiar with the challenges of working offsite. The pandemic prompted the company to improve its remote work capabilities, which ultimately allowed me to perform my job more effectively. Remote work transitioned from being exceptional to standard practice at the company, including for me.
While not being able to travel to Ashland and have in-person meetings was challenging, we have all become proficient in conducting regular Zoom meetings now.
In a publishing landscape that appears to be in a constant state of flux, how has Blackstone positioned itself to continue its rapid growth and success?
As a smaller, family-owned company, we have the flexibility to adapt and respond swiftly to changing needs. Our dynamic nature enables us to grow rapidly and stay competitive in the industry.
What’s the most fun you’ve ever had doing your job?
Honestly, I have a lot of fun doing my job almost every day. I’m fortunate to work with an amazing team of kind, innovative, and passionate people who care deeply about their work, Blackstone as a company, and the publishing industry as a whole. I love seeing our continued growth and embracing the exciting challenges that come with it.
Time’s yours! As a thank you for sharing your insights today, please use this space to say whatever you want. Plug an upcoming project, name the best band to ever come out of Portland, or just give us a deep-cut factoid about Blackstone. It’s your call!
I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude to the Blackstone family for their incredible support as I’ve navigated motherhood. My son will turn 3 this winter, and I’ve received such compassion and understanding while balancing full-time work and raising a young child. I’m grateful to work for a company that truly values family life and promotes a healthy work-life balance.
As someone lucky enough to work for a recruitment firm that values work-life balance, Blackstone’s commitment to their family values was one of the reasons I felt so comfortable signing with them back in March of 2022. In the years since, as I have worked with an assembly line of high-quality, stand-up professionals like Megan, I have only grown more thankful to be a part of the Blackstone family.
Thank you to Megan and everyone else for everything you do!
