The Editorial Process

[Susan Gable]

Hey, gang! I've got some questions for you. An editor I know is kicking around the idea of writing some articles for the RWR about different editorial terms, like, what exactly is the difference between a copy edit and a line edit.

What are page proofs? Are they the same thing as a galley?

Do you guys all know that? Or do you wonder about it? What other editorial terms would you like a solid, from-the-ed's-mouth explanation of?

Thanks for the input! :)

Susan G.

[Gillhoughly]

YES!!!!!!!!

Something like that would be very helpful to neos.

It took me a few years to figure it all out. Having the info in one place that I can bookmark and send to younglings rather than write it all myself would be GREAT.

Have I said YES!!!! yet?

[BarbaraSheridan]

Being in the RWR would only benefit RWA members though.

I'm sure this info is available online already.

Here we go I knew I saw a glossary somewhere

http://www.eharlequin.com/cms/learntowrite/ltwArticle.jhtml?pageID=021101wo01001

[Susan Gable]

Being in the RWR would only benefit RWA members though.

I'm sure this info is available online already.

Here we go I knew I saw a glossary somewhere

http://www.eharlequin.com/cms/learntowrite/ltwArticle.jhtml?pageID=021101wo01001

Yes, but that discusses how Harlequin handles things. (I presume, since I haven't gone to see what it says.) Not all publishing houses use the same terms or the same proceedures when editing a book.

As for benefitting only RWA members -- yes. So? She's looking to raise awareness among RWA members and raise her own (and house/program's) visibilty among those members. Win, win, except for the people not in RWA. <shrug> Can't make everyone happy all the time, right?

Susan G.

[BarbaraSheridan]

Not all publishing houses use the same terms or the same proceedures when editing a book.

It's been my experience that most things are consistent across the board. I've done edits from a major house, small press and e-publisher alike and the terms procedures were the same. *shrug*

As for benefitting only RWA members -- yes. So? She's looking to raise awareness among RWA members and raise her own (and house/program's) visibilty among those members. Win, win, except for the people not in RWA. <shrug> Can't make everyone happy all the time, right?

Wouldn't it better to get the input of the intended audience though?

[Susan Gable]

Wouldn't it better to get the input of the intended audience though?

So there aren't any RWA members out there (here)? I thought there were.

However, basically we were looking for input from newer writers. And I know we've got some of those hanging around here. :)

Susan G.

[Provrb1810meggy]

That would be extremely helpful. I'm not in the RWA, but I'd love to read an article like that.

[BarbaraSheridan]

So there aren't any RWA members out there (here)? I thought there were.

However, basically we were looking for input from newer writers. And I know we've got some of those hanging around here. :)

I'm sure there are many RWA members here and I'm sure there are also a great many newer writers out there in AWland who would benefit from the article but they won't be able to because they won't have access to the article.

If there's a way to reprint the article for non RWA members after the original run that would be the best of both worlds wouldn't it? :)

Good luck with the project. I'm sure it will be quite helpful.

[Susan Gable]

I'm sure there are many RWA members here and I'm sure there are also a great many newer writers out there in AWland who would benefit from the article but they won't be able to because they won't have access to the article.

If there's a way to reprint the article for non RWA members after the original run that would be the best of both worlds wouldn't it? :)

Yes, it would, although I don't know what the RWR's "rules" are regarding that. RWR is a paying market for articles. Anyway, it would be up to the writers of the article. I'm just solicitating input for the articles. :)

Susan G.

[Heather Lewis]

It's been my experience that most things are consistent across the board. I've done edits from a major house, small press and e-publisher alike and the terms procedures were the same. *shrug*

Coming from an editorial background, I've found that there are a variety of terms used for the same procedures, depending on the pub house. So, procedures were the same, but sometimes they were called different things & that could definitely be confusing to a newbie. Of course, not being fully caffeinated yet this morning, I can't think of any examples off the top of my head...I guess that doesn't help much, Susan! Sorry.

MelRandall

[Sakamonda]

I'm an RWA member. And the nice thing about RWA is that ANYONE can join. You don't have to be published first, just actively pursuing a career in romance. So, what's stopping you from joining, folks?

[Susan Gable]

I'm an RWA member. And the nice thing about RWA is that ANYONE can join. You don't have to be published first, just actively pursuing a career in romance. So, what's stopping you from joining, folks?

I learned so much through RWA. For the first couple of years, I didn't even have a local chapter. I am a member of a "local" chapter now, but I don't go that often. And still, I get a lot out of the membership.

Not everyone agrees on RWA, though, and that's fine. :shrug:

Susan G.