From New York to New Zealand to Miami, Tim
begrudgingly follows his boss’s wishes, conversing with authors regarding their
work, questioning coworkers, and attempting to piece together the implications
of White Cedar Press’s turn for the worse—implications for both the company and
for Tim’s own future.
Though the young editor is simultaneously working
on writing his own fantasy novel and struggling through a complicated
relationship, his loyalty remains with White Cedar Press, even through its usual
transformation. Tim continues to obey his orders and work on these humorous,
borderline-offensive projects, though he feels like the odd one out as his
colleagues jump aboard the press’s changing bandwagon. Questioning authority
(aloud) is not Tim’s strong suit. Tim often feels as though he’s the only one
driving the right way down a one-way street, but, as it turns out, some of the
odd books begin to sell decently well. Perhaps their creativity is what grabs
an audience.
White Cedar
Press is a well-written and delightful—though not revolutionary—comment on
the current publishing climate. Like the future of the publishing industry, the
novel’s ending is a bit vague, leaving the reader wishing it to be a bit more
defined. The humor and frustration along the way to this end, however, makes
for an entertaining read. Readers with knowledge of the publishing industry
will get more out of the book than those without.
