ICM Agent Heather Schroder Assures Authors: 'Things Are Bad, But the Sky is Not Falling'

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By Leon Neyfakh

December 4, 2008 | 6:01 p.m

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ICM agent Heather Schroder took the step of sending an e-mail to all the authors she represents—a list that according to industry database Publishers Marketplace includes Candace Bushnell, Tom Bissell, and Harry Reid—to tell them that even though the publishing industry is in the midst of unprecedented upheaval, things will be fine eventually and that no one should worry too much.

"It isn't going to be business as usual and it can't be if we all care about the health of this industry," Ms. Schroder wrote in the email message, which was obtained by Media Mob.

"But, however this shakes out in the short term I can tell you that we are going to come out the other side of this better than we were before. Of that, I have no doubt. The fact is this: There will always be people who will want to write, there will always be people who want to publish those writers and there will always be a public that wants to read. So don't despair."

The full text of Ms. Schroder's email—subject line "the state of things"—follows:

Given the alarming news that has recently come out about the publishing industry, I thought it would be a good idea to email you with some thoughts. Things are bad, no question there, but the sky is not falling. What we are seeing in the publishing business is what we are seeing in every area of our economy -- sales are down and there is a contraction in the marketplace because of it. Added to this is the fact that publishing has long needed to rethink some of its core practices at the buying and marketing and publishing levels. It isn't going to be business as usual and it can't be if we all care about the health of this industry. But, however this shakes out in the short term I can tell you that we are going to come out the other side of this better than we were before. Of that, I have no doubt. The fact is this: There will always be people who will want to write, there will always be people who want to publish those writers and there will always be a public that wants to read. So don't despair.

All best,

Heather