Be Your Own Editor

Christine writes:

Hello, I am currently attempting to sell my first completed novel. Is it a bad
idea to send out queries to numerous agents, or is that an acceptable procedure? If I do, should I really mention it in my query letter? Thanks!

Excellent question, Christine, and one too few writers think to ask.

(more…)

I thought about writing an “Ode to the Editorial Assistant” in free verse, but I’m too busy because I have to go pester a few editorial assistants about a few projects I’m working on. So let’s just consider this to be very free verse.

If you’re good enough and lucky enough to land a publishing contract, you’ll interact with a number of people at your publishing house during the process of transformation from manuscript to book. None will be more important to you than your editor’s assistant. They might on any given day play the role of go-between, personal assistant, editor, nag, or therapist. No matter the nature of your relationship, it’s in your best interest to understand what they do.

(more…)