Published Pros front and center!

Star · Jul 9, 2007

Greetings fellow scribes,

If all goes well today, I will speak to an assistant editor who is "considering" my work. The Senior Editor already passed on it, but the assistant sees promise and rescued my ms. from the trash can.

Has anyone here ever had "The Talk" with an editor regarding possible revisions etc.? I'm not the smoothest talker, so I'd like some tips on how to remain sane. Thanks in advance...ahhh, advance, that magical word.

aka eraser · Jul 9, 2007

Sure, we've all had, or will have, those "talks." Keep a notebook handy. Avoid being defensive. If you're not comfortable committing to certain suggestions from the get-go, then tell him/her you'd like a day or two to mull it over. Be courteous and professional. It's not a whole lot different from a job interview or a 1-1 with a teacher. (In fact, it can be a whole lot more comfortable than that, depending on the personalities involved and how enthusiastic s/he is about your work.)

I'll admit to being somewhat puzzled that an assistant editor seems to be doing an end-around one of the bosses. Usually it's the reverse, if it's gonna happen at all.

Good luck and let us know how it went.

Star · Jul 9, 2007

Thanks aka!

The Senior Editor loves the voice of my novel but feels the plot needs too much work. But the assistant saw the potential and says she's willing to do the "leg work" provided that we're on the same page. Nothing definite here. When we have our conversation, I guess I'll know more. Wish me luck!

oops, you already wished me luck!

Birol · Jul 9, 2007

Good luck, Star. Remember to breathe. It's very important.

Richard White · Jul 9, 2007

One thing, when you're talking to the editor - if you dont' understand something, be sure you get clarification. Don't guess at what they wanted because you were embarrassed to get further instructions. If you sorta, kinda, not really know what they want and then deliver something other than what they thought they told you to do, this can lead to awkward discussions later. Most editors understand and appreciate the fact you're being attentive by asking good questions. Better to go over it a few times on the phone than have to do another major rewrite later.

Usually (read: most of the time but not always), they have something they're picturing in their head. Ask follow-up questions and don't be afraid to say, "Well, I was thinking about going this direction . . . ". If they like that direction, they'll tell you. If not, then listen to what they're envisioning when they read your work. Sometimes you'll be surprised how different people see things you think are so clear.

Otherwise Eraser's advice was spot on. Take copious notes - do not rely on your memory. And remember, it's only words on paper. The free world will not fall if you change a POV in a certain section, so don't get defensive or let your feelings get hurt. Be the professional author, not the prima donna.

Sounds like a great opportunity. Make the most of it and break a leg!

Star · Jul 9, 2007

Thanks Richard!

Still waiting to hear back from agent.
Remembering to breathe.

Pamster · Jul 9, 2007

Good luck Star!

ChunkyC · Jul 9, 2007

Good advice from all, so I'll just add my "Good Luck!"

Star · Jul 9, 2007

You guys are SO great. It makes me sniffle.
Anybody got some tissue?

Toothpaste · Jul 9, 2007

Serious good luck! And I want the third that whole defensive thing, bite the insides of your cheeks if you have to! (from someone who can sound defensive REALLY easily!)

Ol' Fashioned Girl · Jul 9, 2007

::waiting for results of meeting::

Waiting's the hardest part... hope it went well!

Star · Jul 11, 2007

Let the countdown begin. Our meeting got pushed to today. Phone convo at 11:00. I'll be gushing details by 12:00.

Birol · Jul 11, 2007

What time zone are you in?

Star · Jul 11, 2007

EST!

Okay guys, here goes:

The editor was VERY gracious. She explained that she did see a market for my work and believed in me. She suggested that I need a bigger climax (YA writers take note) and something to WOW The reader at the end. She gave point by point suggestions (which I agreed with) and said she'd be calling my agent today.

Now for the embarrassing part: I gushed my thanks and said I owed her dinner. Is that completely utterly stupid and ugh? Why do I do these things?

Star · Jul 11, 2007

Hi Guys!

Here's the offer: An advance. World Rights. Trade paperback. What say you?

Star · Jul 11, 2007

Where'd everybody go?
*yanking neck to the left and right*

Will Lavender · Jul 11, 2007

Impossible to say

Star said:
Hi Guys!

Here's the offer: An advance. World Rights. Trade paperback. What say you?

This is something I would discuss with my agent.

Congrats!

Birol · Jul 11, 2007

We can't say or do anything else other than congratulate you, Star. The rest... the decision... the work... what to do with the rewrites... how to handle the suggestions and the offer... that's all for you to decide.

:Hug2:

Toothpaste · Jul 11, 2007

Sounds quite nice, but I'm with will, talk with your agent.

World rights can sound good, but my agent turned them down so that they could sell them independently. She also pointed out that if some publisher on the other side of the world HAS to publish my book but doesn't WANT to, they may put little to any publicity into it, just simply get it out there.

Not that world rights can't also be awesome, it's just I was quite surprised that it wasn't automatically an awesome thing!

(oh and uber congrats!!!)

Stew21 · Jul 11, 2007

Are only the "published pros" allowed to come in and congratulate you or can the rest of us join in with a CONGRATS and a WOOHOO too?

Star · Jul 11, 2007

Everybody is welcome Stew! My original post was more about coaching me on what to say to the editor - that's why I asked for the pros.

The offer is not final. There are other editors who have the 'script. Now the question becomes: Do they want to compete for it?

I'll keep you guys posted.

p.s. I don't know what world rights mean, and why trade paperback as opposed to hardcover?

Will Lavender · Jul 11, 2007

Toothpaste said:
World rights can sound good, but my agent turned them down so that they could sell them independently. She also pointed out that if some publisher on the other side of the world HAS to publish my book but doesn't WANT to, they may put little to any publicity into it, just simply get it out there.

I'm really not sure what "world rights" means in Star's case. Does that mean that the author gets 80% of foreign sales that the publisher makes?

I know that my publisher wanted to control foreign rights, but my agent negotiated it so that the agency got to control them. Now I get 80% of all foreign sales, and that wouldn't have been the case had my agent allowed the publisher to sale the book overseas.

Star · Jul 11, 2007

Does World Rights make a difference if the publisher is fairly large?

Will Lavender · Jul 11, 2007

Star said:
p.s. I don't know what world rights mean, and why trade paperback as opposed to hardcover?

I'm surprised that your agent isn't right there with you in this, Star.

When I talked with editors on the phone, it was a conference call with my agent involved. Obviously, you need to get on the telephone as soon as possible and hash these things out. These are extremely important questions, obviously.

Star · Jul 11, 2007

But won't a discussion be premature since other editors still have the 'script and things are written in stone? I'm wary because my novel has been passed on by at least 13 publishers, and given a second chance with a few others, so I'm afraid we may have to "take what we can get" - I'm using you guys as my sounding/info board so that I'll know what to ask my agent. Thanks

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