Turn an editor on, Turn an editor off

[krisjacen]

So what does it for me?  As an editor?  What can make me want to read your story?  I think what I like to look for is what a lot of editors want to see- don’t think it’s really special.  Are you ready for the secret to getting an editor’s attention?  Here’s the secret….make a good first impression, make it a professional impression.  Yup, that’s it

Comments

[carolyn_l_topol]

Good Morning! It's a pleasure to have you join us at Shared Wisdom.

I do remember the first long novella I sent to Dreamspinner Press. I think I edited the synopsis and query letter as many times as I edited the manuscript. It's good to know it was well worth the effort.

After you have accepted a new author at MLR, do you continue to want the query letter to be as detailed with every subsequent submission. I have continued to approach each synopsis and cover letter with the same focus as the first, but I've had some authors imply this may not be necessary. What is your view?

[krisjacen]

Hi Carolyn,
Thanks for the welcome. At MLR, once an editor is working with an author, it's up to them. Authors that are on our roster submit their manuscripts directly to their editor and not the general submissions email (mlrpress.submissionandqueries@gmail.com). Most of my authors will send me a synopsis when they're comfortable enough with the manuscript to let me know it's coming.
Kris

turn an editor on, turn an editor off

[tessmackall]

Great post, Kris. Great advice for authors.

One thing I might add is that sending an editor a professionally packaged manuscript--a synopsis and query that follow basic format shows an editor that you've done your homework and that you know the proper way to write a synopsis and query. That your manuscript is worth reading.

The editor will form an opinion of how your manuscript will read from that packaging. And if he/she spots any mistakes or issues within the manuscript itself, the editor is far more likely to be forgiving and think the author capable of fixing the issues too. And therefore, a greater likelihood of contracting the work.

Again, great post and a great way to start my editing day!

Re: turn an editor on, turn an editor off

[krisjacen]

Hey Tess,
Thanks for stopping by. I'm already hip deep in edits for the day and you're just starting? lol
Kris

Re: turn an editor on, turn an editor off

[tessmackall]

Actually, I was up till midnight editing last night--put in a ten hour day--and got started about seven this morning. But will finish this one today and off to the next one. And I'm reading three subs simultaneously. lol Then slap on the need to get down 6K in writing of my own in the next three days too. Busy, but lovin' it for sure. If I'm not busy, I tend to mope. lol

Re: turn an editor on, turn an editor off

[krisjacen]

Ah the glamorous life of an editor. I've come to the conclusion I should stop counting the number of manuscripts I'm editing/formatting or reading for submission. I feel lost when I'm not busy.

[kstarrett5]

Great post, Kris!
It's so important to present yourself as a professional, especially that first time. This is great advice for any new author or any author who may be considering approaching a new-to-her publisher.

You rock, lady!

[krisjacen]

Thanks, Kimber. I think you rock too.

[vjbanis]

Great blog, Kris (I would expect nothing less) and to the point. Some while back I edited an anthology of writings from my local writers group. None of them had been published before, and when I saw how they submitted their stories to me, I knew why. The stories were excellent, but no one had any clue how to prepare them for submission. It took me more work and time to get them ready than to write a novel of my own. Victor

[krisjacen]

Hi Victor *waving*
It does seem to be something that authors tend to overlook. Editors see so many manuscripts that unless we already work with the author or we read their books for pleasure (which I don't get to do a lot), we could not recognize the name/style and overlook something good.
Kris

Turning editor on or off

[pabrown]

Good article, Kris. It seems to me the hardest editing job, and the one most often botched, is maintaining the author's voice while correcting mistakes. I know when I do close POVs I often have narrative in the character's voice too, and if the character is not the most literate of people, the narrative can be riddled with bad grammar. An editor that can recognize that is worth her weight in gold.

Re: Turning editor on or off

[krisjacen]

Hi Pat,
Does that mean I'm worth my weight in gold? (says the editor working on your manuscript right now) Thanks for coming by.
Kris

Re: Turning editor on or off

[cemeterywinter]

Oh, more than your weight. ;) I think I'm blessed to have had the best editors to work with. When I started this journey to become an author in August 2008 I'd heard some horror stories about bad editors and authors. With editors it was usually about those that wanted to change plot and voice significantly. Author stories involved arguing with their editors and refusing to change bad grammar...I'd shake my head and think, "What's up with that?" As authors, we owe it to ourselves and the public to take an editor's comments about structure seriously. The place to have a discussion (not a Diva-tude argument) is when you have a difference of opinion on content not structure.

I feel like the publishing gods have smiled on me for having editors like you, Mary Wilson, Zetta Brown, Devin Govaere, Sharis Mayer, and Barbara Louise. A good editor can make all the difference to a book and when you push me, I know it's to make the book, and me as an author, better.

Re: Turning editor on or off

[krisjacen]

Well, then, I should be rich. Thanks, Lex.