Many writers might not want to work with editors. I'm not
talking about fixing grammar and spelling. But rather changing parts of a story
or a book; or even a poem.
A healthy attitude is always a good approach. Understand
that an editor has a job to do just like the author. It is the editor's job to
make sure that the book is of the highest quality possible. In this way
everybody benefits. As an author this would translate into more sales and a
better final product.
Please check your ego in at the door. As far as I know
everybody goes through the editing process even the biggest names in the
industry. There are basically two approaches. One is to work cooperatively and
the second is to resist. If you chose to contest every correction you will most
likely frustrate the editor. You will be stopping him from doing his job. A
much better approach is to consider the editing process as synergy. That is you
are harvesting the editor's creativity and putting it into your manuscript.
Give a lot, take a little is in my opinion the best policy.
If you listen to the editor the majority of the time the whole process will go
smoother. It is wise to insist on not changing things only when you feel very
strongly about it. That what you have written is remarkably brilliant and to
change it would be robbery to the world.
You have to understand that when you get published that you
have in fact joined a team. The publisher is investing a lot into you, at least
if they are legitimate. The publisher would be doing to cover art, the
marketing and of course paying for the editor. They want your book to succeed
as much as you want to. They have a vested interest as your success is their success.
The editor is not the enemy.
Always consider the future and be wise about it. While it
might not seem fair, publishers like to work with people who are cooperative.
That is if they like the quality of your work they might decline to publish
your manuscript because of how you have worked with them previously in the
past. With that in mind make every effort to please the publisher. Work hard on
edits and try to have them back to the publisher not only on time but ahead of
time. To do such shows a professional attitude.
Remember the future. I can think of at least two clear
instances where I really objected to the changes of the editor. However they
felt very strongly about the amendments; to the point that they were adamant.
In the end I buckled under, at least for now. If by the grace of God I am very
successful I can always revisit those manuscripts and rewrite them to my
liking. If I'm not a smashing success then what did it really matter?
Editing poems are a harder thing to accept. A well written
poem has every word painstakingly chosen. I have declined publication rather
than to change my poetry. Then again there was no contract signed and I wasn't
getting paid for it. But if I can see a way to improvement then I am more than
happy to make a change.
If you are a serious writer you take pride in your work.
They become like your children. Think of editors as baby sitters. In the end
it's your child they just help you out in the upbringing. You can always self
publish to avoid editing. But in all honesty the services of the editor are in
my eyes the greatest help to a good final product.
John Kaniecki is a native of Brooklyn, New York. While he
has no memory of New York City but he is proud to call himself a native New
Yorker. John spent a few years in Illinois but grew up in Pequannock, New
Jersey. After graduating high school John went off to Hoboken to attend
Steven's Institute of Technology.
Despite being in engineering school, John was clueless to
the direction his life should take. After two years John dropped out of
Steven's. He became a Christian and hitchhiked across the United States.
Several months later he was hospitalized with bipolar.
At this time John began to write poetry. A self published
book called "A Day's Weather" shows his mind at this time. After
years of struggle John eventually returned to college and graduated from
Montclair State University. John went to work stocking shelves at Sears and
then worked with an engineering firm. John married Sylvia Kaniecki in 2004.
Once married John returned to writing. His writing has been
published in over seventy outlets. His books are "Murmurings of a Mad
Man" a book of poetry by eLectio Publishing, "Poet to the Poor, Poems
of Hope for the Bottom One Percent" by Dreaming Big Publications,
"Words of the Future" a collection of science fiction stories
published by Witty Bard and a horror novella "Scarecrow, Scarecrow"
published by Fat-Lip Press. Also there is a soon to come out book of poetry
called "Sunset Sonnets".
Presently John is a full time caretaker for his wife. Also
he volunteers as a missionary for the Church of Christ at Chancellor Avenue;
which is in the inner city of Newark. He stays up light at night and writing in
any free time in hopes of becoming a professional writer.
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/JohnsPoems/
Twitter @JohnKaniecki
Website http://johnkaniecki.weebly.com/
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1 Comments
As an aspiring author, I love this advice. Meeting with an editor is daunting and can strike fear in the hearts of many. Great post.
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