Thursday with an Editor - Rhonda Helms

Please welcome the lovely and talented Rhonda Helms to Thursday with an Editor. Thanks so much for stopping by, Rhonda!

Writing and Editing--Living on Both Sides of the Desk

by Rhonda (Stapleton) Helms

I started in publishing as a writer, snagging an agent and finally selling a teen romance trilogy to Simon and Schuster. But somewhere along the way I also discovered and cultivated my love of editing. Now I'm fortunate enough to write fiction and work as a freelance acquisitions/developmental editor. 

Editing isn't for everyone. Writing isn't for everyone either, come to think of it. But these two aspects of publishing both appeal to me in different ways, and each has helped strengthen the other.

THE WRITER:

The writerly side of me has benefited from my editing job because I've learned a lot about craft, the industry, and the like. I've read a LOT of manuscripts--hundreds of them--and have learned how to quickly evaluate a manuscript for its potential, analyze the plot, characters, pacing, setting to see if they intrigue me, if they feel realistic and yet compelling, if the writing is sophisticated and interesting. The first five pages hook me into a story. 

So as a writer, I know I need to make the first few pages of my story shine. But not only that, I've read manuscripts in an editorial capacity where the first 3 chapters are amazing--polished, well-plotted, fascinating characters--but the story falls apart after that. If I can't keep that sparkle going throughout the whole manuscript I know my story will be rejected. It happens ALL the time.

THE EDITOR:

The editor side of me has benefited from being a writer too. I know how nervous writers get (especially new authors); they need to be kept in the loop on how the process is going to go, what to expect, how I work, what I need from them, etc. I try to explain the whole process to my authors so we're all on the same page. I offer comments in the manuscript--both positive and constructive--so they see what they're doing right and what can be strengthened. I reply to emails as quickly as I can, usually within 24 hours. I'm honest and open and professional and fun because the point is to create a collaborative environment that encourages and fosters a healthy working relationship. 

As an editor, I know the anxieties my authors face. I know how they worry about sales, promotion, craft, and so on. I try my best to be transparent and answer questions so they feel a little less lost in this massive industry.

YOU CAN BE A WRITER AND EDITOR:

I know a number of editors who are also writers. But guess what? You can do this too...it's not just for people who work for a publisher. Authors can develop their inner editors. Here are a few tips/thoughts on that:

1--learn how to read analytically. When I read a novel, I have a hard time shoving that inner editor aside. But that's not a bad thing. Yes, I read for leisure, but I also read to analyze how an author's craft works and doesn't work. I read published novels to learn how author A makes her characters resonate, how author B weaves intricate pacing that makes me turn the pages, how author C makes setting feel alive. Pick up novels in the genre you're writing. Pick those books apart--what works for you? WHY? And what doesn't work--what would you do differently?

2--learn how to critique. Man, I could write a whole book on this art, haha. Critiquing not only benefits the author whose manuscript you're evaluating, it also benefits you. With novels, you're reading stuff that's already been polished and through editing. Here you can see the story in its most raw form--the SAME way you draft. You'd be surprised how much you learn by reading manuscripts in volume. So branch out and find critique partners. Ask that person what his/her strengths and weaknesses are. Learn how to not only do a general crit, but how to read for characterization. For plot. For pacing. For setting. For subplot. For sophisticated prose.

3--talk, talk, talk to other industry pros. Most editors, agents, writers are happy to answer questions. Check out their blogs, their websites, their twitter feeds, their Facebook and Google+ pages. We're giving you information on what we see, and it's all free. So take it! Editing isn't just about picking a manuscript apart. It's also the art of relationships, of communication. As an editor I interact with industry pros every day. I build those relationships. You should be doing the same.

Any questions? Ask away, and thanks for tuning in! 

Rhonda Stapleton Helms is experienced on both sides of the editorial desk. She's a published author with Simon and Schuster's young adult imprint, Simon Pulse--visit her website at rhondastapleton.com to learn more about her as an author. Rhonda is an acquisitions/developmental editor for Carina Press, and she also freelance edits manuscripts--check out rhondaedits.com for services, rates and testimonials. 

Another Day, Another Release!

Book 2 from my Long and Hard series is out today!!! Yippie. Loose Lips makes its debut on the Ellora's Cave website. So, without further ado, here's the blurb:

Olivia Worthington has a problem. A guy she barely knows stole precious jewels from the museum where she works and it was all her fault. Distrustful of the police, she seeks her ex-boyfriend’s help. But when she draws him into a hornet’s nest of trouble, will he walk away for good?

Computer geek and security expert Grady Long was just starting to get over Olivia when she showed up on his boat begging for his help. How was he supposed to resist the woman who regularly walked through his dreams? Will his weakness for her cost him more than he has to give?

If you'd like to read an excerpt, you'll find one HERE. Comment to be entered in a drawing for a FREE book!

***Update - winner is Ranae. Please email me at wynter@ wynterdaniels. com (no spaces). Congrats!***

Thursday with an Editor - Stacy Boyd

Please welcome Editor Stacy Boyd to the blog today.

Senior editor of Harlequin Desire, watching publishing respond to digital media, living HEA in NYC with a five year old, missing my family in Georgia, wanting time to be lazy.

1. Would you tell us what your typical day looks like?

My typical day is filled with email! I’m usually answering requests from marketing about book covers or copy; from authors about submissions, contracted materials and scheduling; from production about the status of edits; from art about cover information and proofs; from upper management about my strategy for the line and our authors’ career trajectories; and from many others about special projects, conferences, social media, etc. In the midst of all of this, there are many, many meetings. I love how busy my days are, and the diversity of my responsibilities. The best part, of course, is that I get paid to read romance novels. J

2. What’s your favorite thing to read for pleasure?

I read a lot of non-fiction and YA when I’m outside the office, and I especially love magazines. Right now, Bloomberg Businessweek is my favorite.

3. What’s the best perk of your job? Any pitfalls?

The best perk is being able to read really great stories from my favorite authors before they’re available elsewhere. Oh, and free books. The biggest pitfall is that I never have time to read everything I’d like to read.

4. How many authors do you edit yourself? On average, about how many new authors do you take on each year? 

I have an author base of about twenty, a number that fluctuates, and I take on about one new author each year. The entire Desire editorial team, however, usually takes on 3-5 new authors a year.

5. Do you enjoy going to writers’ conferences? Which ones will you be attending in the near future?

I love writers’ conferences! It’s so fun to gather with people who love books as much as I do. I’m attending the New Jersey Romance Writers of America conference on October 22^nd, and I’ll be at the Liberty States Fiction Writers conference in the spring of 2012.

6. What’s the best advice you can give aspiring writers planning to pitch to you at a conference?

Think about your story as you would think about a published book. What’s the one thing about your story that would hook you, if you were reading back cover copy? Pick what intrigues you the most, and open with that.

7. Is there a set number of books you expect your authors to pen a year?

For series romance, prolific authors have an advantage. They can more easily build their audience by appearing on the shelves more often. I usually ask new authors to do at least two books a year. Some of our top-selling authors do 3-5 books a year, or more.

8. How would one of your authors describe your editing style?

My authors are always very polite, so they may be thinking one thing and saying another. J Hopefully, they find my editing style to be supportive of their voice and helpful in making their narrative intentions clear to readers.

9. What’s the most common question you’re asked by aspiring writers? And the answer?

The most common question is “What are you looking for?” In broad terms, I’m looking for a good story. More specifically, I’m looking for sexy, short contemporary romance with a lot of drama, an alpha hero with a heart of gold and an unexpected take on plot or characters.

10. What was the last movie you loved?

I’ve been glomming on long-form TV—watching several episodes back-to-back. Longer than movies, but just as engrossing! My recent favorites have been Game of Thrones and True Blood.

Got Hero?

I do, actually. Yeah, I can brag on him cuz he's just that awesome. Our family has had some difficult situations to deal with lately and every single time, my man has stepped up to the plate and taken control.

I don't know about you, but that's the sort of guy I want to fashion my heroes after in my books. Lucky me that I have such a great role model. And trust me, I've patterned more than one of my leading man after my own leading man.

Romance is fantasy, right? Escapism and all that stuff. I can deal with the guy who leaves peanut butter fingerprints on the cabinets and doesn't put the seat down every single time because he sure makes up for it in other ways.

So here's to you, babe! It's so nice to know you've got my back.

Thursday with an Editor

Welcome to the first installment of my Thursday with an Editor series with Kensington Publishing's Megan Records, who has graciously agreed to kick off the series with an editor's interpretation of what your cover letter/query really says.

Megan Records has a B.A. in English and a M.S in Publishing. Before Kensington, she worked at an educational publishing house. Now, she’s found a job that actually pays her to do what she was already doing in her spare time—reading romance. For reading recommendations, tips for aspiring authors, and random comments from daily life as an editor, follow her on Twitter @meganrecords.

What we REALLY think when reading your cover letter/query

We editors are masters at tempering rejections. I have at least 5 stock phrases that sound much nicer than “I was bored by this book.” But what’s really going through my head when I read queries? Take a look:

I haven’t seen anything like this in the bookstore, so I decided to write it.

I think: Yeah…there’s probably a reason you haven’t seen this premise before. Or: Yeah, you clearly haven’t been in a bookstore in the last 10 years.

I can’t wait to go on Oprah and to see my book made into a film.

I think: Good luck with that. Clearly you are super out of touch with publishing reality. And I don’t feel like being the one to burst that bubble.

I’m a published author.

I think: Why don’t you list who you are published with? *googles your name* Oh, PublishAmerica.

I’ve been published in my high school newspaper, and had several letters to the editor printed in my local paper.

I think: This doesn’t count as published.

It took me thirteen years to write this book.

I think: I need you to write at least a book a year, if not two books a year. I’m thinking that’s going to be a problem.

I’m a mother of two high-schoolers, so I know how to write YA that appeals to all teenagers.

I think: I manage to dress myself every day, but that doesn’t mean I’m qualified to be a fashion designer.

If you are not the appropriate editor for my project, please give it to the correct one and send me their contact information.

I think: Riiight. If you can’t do your own research, I’m not going to do it for you.

I’m sending this to you exclusively.

I think: Why? I haven’t asked for one. Your query process is going to take forever if you give everyone exclusives.

The main characters are based on real people.

I think: In other words, you fictionalized your own life story. I’m guessing you probably won’t be open to editorial changes regarding plot or character…

This is a women’s fiction romance mystery with vampires.

I think: I don’t know how to sell this.

This manuscript has been a finalist in 17 contests.

I think: 17? And yet no editor/agent has picked it up yet? Most likely you’re spending too much time entering contests and not enough time revising the bulk of your book.

I’m a member of RWA (or ITW, MWA).

I think: Hooray!  This author is definitely interested in writing as a career.

Editor Series Begins This Week!

As my guest editor series draws near, I thought it would be helpful to say a few words about what editors can do and what they mean to writers.

First and foremost, an editor is your first reader. Sure, they are gatekeepers and as such, they must bar the work that isn't up to par for their company. But gatekeepers also let the worthy in.

An editor is way more than a proofreader. He or she is tasked with making your work the very best it can be. And hey, who doesn't want their work to be its best when it rolls off the line?

An editor is someone who knows the publishing world (probably a lot better than you do) and she knows  where your work fits into that world. She's not your mother or your friend. If she says likes something it's because it's good, not because she doesn't want to hurt your feelings. And the opposite is true, too. She won't let you slide on something that just isn't right to avoid hurting your feelings.

An editor is a teacher. If you pay attention, editors can teach you a lot. I've learned something from every editor I've worked with and to date, that's more than a dozen of them. I still get an occasional grammar lesson  -  usually about some obscure rule or exception to one. But more importantly, they point out things like plot holes and characterization issues and big things that can make or break the story. Some editors even teach courses and write books chock full of awesome information for writers. Want to learn a whole lot about writing? Think about taking the Before You Hit Send workshop by Carina Press Executive Editor Angela James. There's one starting in a week!

More than anything, an editor is a purveyor of the written word. She can do for your work what the fairy godmother did for Cinderella's look. Yeah, she's that amazing. Stay tuned for editorial wisdom.