The Silver Rule: A Survival Guide for the Publishing World
We all know the Golden Rule: Treat others the way you want to be treated. Simple. Elegant. Universal. But here’s the problem, some people treat themselves like absolute trash.
They skip self-respect, bathe in bitterness, and then try to drag everyone else into their mess.
That’s where the Silver Rule comes in: If you treat yourself like crap, deal with yourself accordingly, but don’t disrupt the peace of others.
This rule is survival 101 in life, and especially in publishing. Because let me tell you, not everyone in this world, or in this industry, is going to treat you with respect. But you don’t have to roll in their mud to get your work done.
The Reality Check
Publishing isn’t always tea parties and polite applause. You’ll meet the encouragers , the ones who push you forward, cheer for your wins, and clap loudest at your success.
You’ll also meet the critics who are harsher than necessary, the competitors who think there’s not enough room for everyone, and the folks who just project their own chaos onto you.
The Golden Rule works with the first group. The Silver Rule saves you from the second.
The Flip: Boundaries Are Not Optional
The glow-up isn’t just physical, emotional, or creative, it’s also about boundaries. Good manners and kindness don’t mean being anyone’s doormat. And the Silver Rule reminds us:
You don’t have to absorb other people’s poison.
You don’t have to match their energy.
You don’t have to let disrespect slide into your bloodstream.
You can protect your peace without losing your humanity. That’s real power.
How to Use the Silver Rule in Publishing (and Life)
Keep Politeness, Drop People-Pleasing
Being professional doesn’t mean saying yes to everything. Declining with grace is still a “please” and “thank you” , just with a boundary attached.Respond, Don’t React
Not every email needs a clap-back. Sometimes silence is the flex. Sometimes a simple “noted” is the win.Protect Your Energy Like It’s Currency
Because it is. The words you write, the stories you create, the publishing path you’re carving, all of it depends on your energy. Don’t waste it on drama.Golden Rule First, Silver Rule Second
Always lead with kindness. But when someone shows you they can’t handle it? That’s when the Silver Rule steps in.
Why This Matters in Publishing
In the creative world, your reputation is your currency. People remember how you made them feel, whether in an email, a pitch, or a collaboration.
Good manners get doors opened.
Respect gets opportunities repeated.
Boundaries keep you sane enough to keep creating.
At the end of the day, publishing isn’t just about what you produce; it’s about how you navigate the people attached to it. And the ones who thrive long-term are the ones who know how to apply both rules.
In Other Words
The world might look like it rewards chaos. And sometimes it does, in the short term. But in the long game? Kindness + boundaries = survival.
The Golden Rule makes you human. The Silver Rule keeps you sane. Together, they make you unstoppable.
So here’s the survival guide: Be good. Be kind. But guard your peace like treasure. That’s how you win in publishing, and everywhere else.
- KIMMe PROMISEs