Recently, Jane at DearAuthor blogged regarding her meetings at RWA that editors often make the best ambassadors for books in terms of communicating why a book will appeal to a reader, and I think she’s on to something there. I also think that part of what makes the editor’s perspective refreshing is that, unless we’re at a writer’s conference, many readers don’t hear from editors all that often. You hear from them more lately via Twitter or Facebook or similar publisher-driven social media efforts, but they aren’t the consistent mouthpiece of a publisher all that often – because that’s not their job.
Yet whenever I meet romance editors at a conference, I’m always very curious about their profession – ok, I will use the more appropriate word: I am damn nosy. For example, at the Connecticut FictionFest, I chatted with a writer before her pitch session, and she was so nervous, to the point that she and I joked about how she could lower her nerves and her nausea level to more manageable levels. She was terrified. I got to wondering what editors think of pitch sessions – and of conferences in general. Then I had all these other questions.
So I went and found me an editor to question at length. I have, tied up in my basement (ok, in the guest room)(maybe), an Anonymous Editor from a Very Large Publisher who has agreed (heh) to answer any and all questions you throw her way. Part of what fascinates me about editors is that, by and large, they do what they do largely because they love books. Very few people are working in publishing for the money. Yet in public venues, most editors stick to party lines, for lack of a better term, and obviously can’t be as candid as they wish they could.
Well, the Anonymous Editor has agreed to answer all your questions except “Who is she?” because, well, as she put it, “I could get fired for this. And you promised me wine, so where is it?”
So, got any questions you’ve always wanted to ask? As a reader, or writer, or aspiring editor? Send ‘em on over, either in the comments or via email to me at sarahATsmartbitchestrashybooksDOTcom, subject, please, ‘Ask the Editor’ and I’ll start the interrogation.
What do editors think when their authors get into a “flaming war” with readers or reviewers online? Do you step in because it reflects on the publisher or do nothing?
I received a good rejection this summer from an editor at a mid-size publisher. I recently noticed another editor at the same publisher was looking for my genre. Is it alright to send the second editor a different manuscript? (Not the same book rewritten, but another book.)
I believe that all this applies to the brick and mortar publishers. E pubs have long chosen NOT to follow what NY has set in stone. Thank God! Yes, edits are needed for errors and such, but dear editor, DO NOT MESS with my storyline. I know what I’m writing.
What is the balance between finding gems and generating cash? Do you buy stuff you are personally less than thrilled with because you think it will sell? And when you have an author who wrote great stuff, became a bestseller and has lost all originality and spark, but still hits the bestseller list, are you thrilled because you’re making a ton on money or a bit disappointed because you know it’s dreck?
Are you paid a straight salary or get a commission?
How much do the business considerations drive your acquisitions? I expect it varies by publisher, even by the imprint, maybe by the quarter?
Do you often find yourself reading ms you love, but are unable to purchase, because projected sales don’t meet a minimum? How are those numbers derived?
Thanks for “volunteering,” clearly there is great curiosity about editors and the process. Hope Sarah is feeding you well! Here in the Bay Area, fresh figs are in season and they’re lovely with a bit of mascarpone, drizzled with honey, and a buttery Chardonnay or crisp Sauternes….
How do you manage successful authors who (according to their fans) are past their prime? Is there a way of gradually easing them out or a way of trying to get them back to their best?
How to you get an author to wrap up a series?
Why is it that e-books seem to escape any editing? Most notably spelling and grammatical errors.
How have e-books changed the publishing business.
Does the rise of blogs and fantastic sites such as SBTB change the way you promote authors?
Make sure Sarah adds some Godiva to your rations – you’re earning it!
Good Lord! I don’t have a question but say you should supply your captive, uh guest, editor with something stronger than wine. How about a fully equiped BAR since you’re expecting him/her to give everyone such valuable insights.
I also imagine a table loaded with treats, maybe a whole roasted chicken to tear apart, apples, cheese, pie…hey, that’s sounding a lot like the eating scene from Tom Jones.
(It’s the change in barometric pressure….really.)
Dear Editor,
What do you think about the use of “He said,” “She replied,” “He respoonded,” “She wondered,” ?
“How much is too much and how much is too little?” I wondered.
I have more questions!
What do you think about the recent lawsuits filed against publishers and Apple over agency pricing?
What are publishers doing to prepare for them?
Do you approve of agency pricing?
Will ebook prices ever be cheaper than print books?
Will they ever come out before print books?
I think I would be fine with agency pricing if ebooks were cheaper and released sooner. It would satisfy me as a customer while still keeping Amazon from monopolizing book retail.
Thanks for doing this!
For backlist books which are scanned from a print copy to make an e-version, why is seemingly no attempt made to correct the scanning errors? I realize these books have already gone through the editing process when released in print, but we’re being asked to pay full price (and if agency with no sale options) for books with multiple errors in them and this reflects poorly on the publisher and author. Why does it seem publishers care so little about such an easily fixable problem?
Two words popped into my mind after reading about the editor agreeing to answer questions about editing – “Lora Leigh”.
Did Leigh even have an editor on “Navarro’s Promise”? How does an editor defend himself/herself after what happened with that book?
@Nichole. Re” The agency standard. I guess at least Michael Connelly got them to listen as he has a $2.99 special on Kindle. Or maybe it is part of a compromise.