When I sold MAY B., I invited my readers along on my publication journey. Here goes!
First stop: first-round edits.*
As I mentioned Monday, editors approach their work differently. Still, all editors write a letter to send to their author along with the marked-up manuscript. What might an editorial letter include?
- Nicole started my editorial letter by affirming me as a writer. Not a bad thing! “I love this book! You have done such a wonderful job; at times I felt I was only fiddling with your beautiful narrative, but fiddle I must and have done…This edit is like pruning a prized rose bush: a little there, not too much here.” How’s that for motivation to do my best work?
- A reminder that edits are not “carved in stone” and that when there are areas that need work, I am to assume I can “revise as [I] see fit”.
- A suggestion as to how to approach the work: Read through with all the edits and comments first before getting started.
- A heads up as to what I will find in the edits. If you need to add some scenes (as I do), this will be the place the content is addressed.
- Questions that aren’t yet answered in the text/threads that need to come together. (I’ve got several things to work on in regard to character motivation).
- Possible new solutions to problems you and your editor have discussed before. (I’ve got a big portion toward the end of MAY B. that I’ll need to re-work. I’ve been thinking. Nicole’s been thinking. She’s shared some ideas to help move the story in the direction it needs to go).
- Technicalities you might need to address at a later date. (Mine have to do with “soft” returns and an eventual editing round devoted entirely to small things like articles and conjunctions).
I have a month to work through this first round. Here’s to a productive four weeks (in the midst of a house on the market and an impending move)!
*Because it is not unusual to begin edits before contract negotiation is complete, I’ve chosen to hold off on my contract post.
Thanks for sharing this. I have no idea what to expect so it is really enlightening. Yikes on having to doing this with trying to sell your house and moving. That’s my main worry–having realistic deadlines that fit with working full time.
First of all- CONGRATS again, this is so exciting for me to follow! secondly- thanks for posting the steps you’re going through- all really great editing tips! Enjoy the process!
So cool! Enjoy the editing!
This is great! Thanks for sharing your road to publication with us!
Now that’s interesting. I didn’t know you didn’t have to sign the contract to begin edits.
Very interesting! Thank you for sharing. It’s something I hope to face one day, too. 🙂
I’m really enjoying hearing about the editing process and what it’s been like for you. Thanks for sharing the details. And I’m glad your editor mixes in encouragement and positive affirmation with her notes.
What a lovely note for the editor for you to begin with! That would certainly take some of the edge off 🙂 Have fun!
Thanks so much for sharing your publication. At a conference last weekend, it was said that one of the most important relationships you have as a writer is the relationship with your editor.
Sounds like the start of a beautiful relationship.
Have fun with your edits.
I love how your editor started out affiriming you as a writer! Thanks for sharing this information with us.
What a lovely editor! I like those opening lines. Like pruning a rose bush. a little here, not too much there. How cool is that! I’d want to take all her suggestions after she was that nice 🙂
Thanks for sharing your journey 🙂
Thanks, Caroline, for sharing that. Congratulations.
Sounds like you’re working with a great editor. Nothing like a little honest praise to get your editing motor revved up!