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Share your stories of working with an editor

October 28, 2010 by Sonia Marsh

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I’m sitting at my desk, wolfing down my oatmeal with sliced banana and tasteless, Costco strawberries, before I shower, drive to Peet’s coffee and then fight the 405 freeway to Venice Beach.
I have a 10:30 a.m., appointment with my editor and cannot wait for feedback on my entire manuscript. Remember, I had to shut off my blog for a month to finish my revisions.
No time for more at this point, I’m running late, however,I’d love to hear your experiences of working with an editor, either freelance or at a publishing house.

Filed Under: Writing & Work Tagged With: Manuscript editor

Comments

  1. Michelle Davidson Argyle says

    October 28, 2010 at 8:52 am

    I will let you know as soon as I get my manuscript back from my editor from Rhemalda. 🙂

  2. Penelope J. says

    October 28, 2010 at 12:33 pm

    Hi Sonia,
    You might be in for a good surprise – even if every page has markings on it. That's a sign your editor really worked on your manuscript. However, if not, it's a sign that you have a well-written book on your hands.

    I had an excellent experience with my editor – once he read it. He agreed to edit it only as a favor to a friend who was too busy, then did nothing for two months until I bumped into him and very shame-faced, he said he'd get around to it. Next I knew, I got these wonderful emails telling me what a great, humane, incisive, entertaining, amusing, poignant story it was and that I'd be sure to sell zillions of copies. Hmmm. However, that was very encouraging and motivated me to make the changes he suggested and rework the whole thing a couple more times.

    Good luck to you.

  3. Rob-bear says

    October 28, 2010 at 9:22 pm

    As broadcaster and print journalist, I've been dealing with editors from square one. One learns from the "insights" of various editors.

    As a columnist, there are more difficult problems. I have a limited number of words within which to make a considered case. If the editor starts "playing" with my work, s/he can really destroy my argument. Then I get upset.

    As for book editors, I have no experience. I blog rather than write a book. As I say at the end of my main blog, "Blogging gives 'freedom of the press' to those who cannot afford a press."

    Hope your session with your editor went well, Sonia.

  4. GutsyWriter says

    October 29, 2010 at 7:29 am

    @Michelle
    I am so proud of you. I know I sound like a mom, but since following you, I remember when you were wondering if it was all worth it, and then you've stuck with it and published "Cinders" and I'm not even sure how many other books. It seems like an avalanche of books, and I know you deserve to be successful. Well done.

    @Penelope
    Sounds like you have mixed feelings. Please share where you are in the entire process now.

    @Rob-bear
    I can understand why you enjoy blogging after your career. Fortunately my editor is very careful not to change my story. She simply makes suggestions, and I agree with all of them.

  5. Rob-bear says

    October 29, 2010 at 8:27 am

    Ah, um, "after my career"?

    My next column is due next week, hibernation notwithstanding.

    Editors, like some Greek gods, must be obeyed.

  6. Lauri says

    October 29, 2010 at 8:52 am

    Glad it went well with your editor. It's a difficult thing that relationship.

  7. LZ Blogger says

    October 29, 2010 at 1:05 pm

    Sonia ~ I've never worked as hard as I have since I retired! ~ jb///

  8. Diana says

    October 29, 2010 at 3:48 pm

    I've never worked with an editor other than my oldest daughter! She was a former political journalist so she sometimes will edit my blog!
    Love Di ♥

  9. Gayla Tanner says

    October 29, 2010 at 9:14 pm

    As far as going over my work, I've only dealt with my editor via email, so I've had it easy. I send her my articles, she sends them back with a list of notes. Back and forth, back and forth until she says, "Good, let's go with it." lol

  10. GutsyWriter says

    October 29, 2010 at 10:35 pm

    @Rob-bear,
    Well I got your attention didn't I?
    At least you're not hibernating 24/7.

    @Lauri
    I lucked out with my editor. But when I met her at a conference in Santa Barbara, I knew I'd like to work with her.

    @LZBlogger
    I'll have to visit you. You can't be that LZ. You commented.

    @Diana
    Nice for you to have a professional editor within your family. Although I have to say, I've enjoyed sharing my family in Belize story with someone else who doesn't know me.

    @Gayla
    Thanks so much for your comment. I have to say, I've spent time meeting my editor, and it makes things easier for me.

  11. ladyfi says

    October 30, 2010 at 7:55 am

    Hope all goes well!

    I've had experience of editors from publishing houses (as I've written many textbooks) and generally I can say that their advice is good! It's objective, and they usually know their audience too.

  12. Phivos Nicolaides says

    October 31, 2010 at 1:22 am

    Hi Sonia. I hope everything is fine with you. If you have time please have a look at the magazine my son is editing. Thank you. PULSEmagazine

  13. Entre Nous says

    October 31, 2010 at 6:27 pm

    If I'm ever so fortunate to finish, you will be the first to know all the gory details :}

  14. Amanda says

    November 1, 2010 at 9:33 am

    my agent's wife is an editor and she has always given me excellent advice, so if you trust yours enough to work with him/her to this point, then the advice should be well worth waiting for – it's not always easy to hear, but if they're good at their job, definitely worth listening to and heeding.

    btw thanks for your comment over at my place a while back – sorry i didn't answer yet as i'm on the road – but will head back to my blog to reply to your kind comment now.

  15. Patricia Stoltey says

    November 2, 2010 at 2:21 pm

    My editor taught me so much, which was amazing since I thought I turned in a perfect manuscript. 🙂

    It was a jolt to receive that first feedback as a Word Document with Track Changes. It scared me to death. But I learned and was rewarded.

    I consider that editor to be one of the blessings in my life.

  16. GutsyWriter says

    November 3, 2010 at 6:41 am

    @Ladyfi
    I am enjoying working with my editor.
    @Phivos
    Good luck with PULSE magazine.
    @Entre Nous
    Please send me the details. You WILL finish.
    @Amanda
    I agree. There are things that only an expert at story structure can see, that I was too close to. Thanks for sharing.
    @Patricia
    I prefer to meet in person and go over the changes with her.

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