A question about dealing with editors

Kaarl · May 11, 2013

Hi all,

I am very new to writing and have no experience working with publishers so I was hoping for a little help.

I have been asked to distil my story in to one book (rather than the intended three) and I am fine with this. It was explained to me that the editor wanted people to read my books because of my writing; not because they wanted to see what happened to the MC in that particular arc.

Being brand new to all of this (and still in a stupor from her call saying it had been accepted) I agreed to everything and deferred to her wisdom and experience.

Condensing the story won't be a problem (I was overly ambitious in my dream for a trilogy) but some of the items that need to be removed or condensed are important to me.

I am still waiting for a list of the changes that they would like to see, but would it be bad form to email or call her to say that I've changed my mind about some things ?

I see the need for some of the changes but the ones to the way the MC builds a company (integral to the story) is the main issue. The novel is paranormal fantasy and comedy but these scenes are (and I agree with her appraisal) a little dry. To me, because it is set partly in the real world these details need to be believable. Instead of boiling them down (as requested) I now want to just re-write them, keeping the main elements but making them more enjoyable.

In a situation like this would you wait for the request , just go ahead and ask or do what you're told ? I'm thinking if I ask now it might save them some work if they agree. My biggest fear is that they decide I'm being more trouble than I'm worth and this particular chapter of the dream to be a writer dies.

*Edit* Sorry if this is in the wrong place but I didn't know where I should ask this sort of thing.

Kerosene · May 12, 2013

Remember, I don't know your writing and story.

I advise most newbies to collect all their ideas and put them all in one book and perfect that. In today's market, it's better to start out with a smash debut.

If I was you, I'd be planning what I could cut down and how I could manage it. Don't get to rewriting it all right off the back, but plan for it so you don't waste your time. If they're taking a long time (they shouldn't) start writing.

If they said "dry" that would tell me boring. We don't write realistically. That's boring. What you want to focus on is believably. I don't like talking shop, but you are in the entertainment business. You need to intrigue and entertain the reader. Now, no one knows how to do this. Good rule of thumb: What interests/entertains you, will do the same to them. But you need to find when the story and writing is taxing on you. Read through your own work, noting down areas that were boring, stagnant, not progressive and cut those. Yes, you should boil down scenes if you can--not saying cram the book, there needs to be some light/relaxing areas but even those should be interesting.

An editor is out to make your writing to meet marketing/publishing standards (as they see fit). You don't have to take all their comments; you should review and decide what you would like to do.

I don't know too much about publishing, but if an editor drops you because you're cumbersome either you had to get them to hold your hand the entire way (which doesn't seem to be the case), or they are just not a good fit for you.

cornflake · May 12, 2013

Wait to see what they want done.

Read the suggested changes over a couple times. Then put them down and let it sit for a few days. Then go back and look again. Then think about them again. Then look again. THEN contact the house and discuss any significant changes they're asking for that you disagree with at that point.

You don't know what they'll ask for in the end - or how the list of changes will play together. You don't know how, when looking at the entire set, you'll feel about how the changes would impact the ms.

Buffysquirrel · May 12, 2013

It's useful to remember that the editor is interested in the end product. If you fix the problems they perceive in a different way from how they suggested you fix them, they won't care, so long as the problems are fixed.

bonitakale · May 12, 2013

Buffysquirrel said:
It's useful to remember that the editor is interested in the end product. If you fix the problems they perceive in a different way from how they suggested you fix them, they won't care, so long as the problems are fixed.

Yes, keep this in mind, and wait for their ideas. You may find you're tilting at the wrong windmill. Besides, time is always good.

mfarraday · May 12, 2013

You're a brand new writer, with very little experience, and they just accepted your work? I'd be googling this publisher/editor, seeing if they're legit and if they've possibly scammed others before you. I saw red flags everywhere in your post. But if it's legit, then good luck, and congrats.

Kaarl · May 12, 2013

Thank you all for the advice, I'll wait it out and go from there. I'm impatient by nature so the views of cooler heads "in the know" is appreciated.

mfarraday; it's one of the e-pub arms of a major publisher but I can see why red flags went up.

Jane Wallace-Knight · May 12, 2013

Kaarl said:
Hi all,

I am very new to writing and have no experience working with publishers so I was hoping for a little help.

I have been asked to distil my story in to one book (rather than the intended three) and I am fine with this. It was explained to me that the editor wanted people to read my books because of my writing; not because they wanted to see what happened to the MC in that particular arc.

Being brand new to all of this (and still in a stupor from her call saying it had been accepted) I agreed to everything and deferred to her wisdom and experience.

Condensing the story won't be a problem (I was overly ambitious in my dream for a trilogy) but some of the items that need to be removed or condensed are important to me.

I am still waiting for a list of the changes that they would like to see, but would it be bad form to email or call her to say that I've changed my mind about some things ?

I see the need for some of the changes but the ones to the way the MC builds a company (integral to the story) is the main issue. The novel is paranormal fantasy and comedy but these scenes are (and I agree with her appraisal) a little dry. To me, because it is set partly in the real world these details need to be believable. Instead of boiling them down (as requested) I now want to just re-write them, keeping the main elements but making them more enjoyable.

In a situation like this would you wait for the request , just go ahead and ask or do what you're told ? I'm thinking if I ask now it might save them some work if they agree. My biggest fear is that they decide I'm being more trouble than I'm worth and this particular chapter of the dream to be a writer dies.

*Edit* Sorry if this is in the wrong place but I didn't know where I should ask this sort of thing.

I wrote my book in first person POV and was asked to change it to third person. At first I wanted to argue for it, because it felt more natural to me to write in first. However, I did as they asked, and as I was doing so realised that they were completely right and it opened up the whole world I was creating to me. I was then able to write scenes from other character's POVs.

Also, my editor made some suggestions that I left too many questions unanswered (as I wanted to keep them back for the next two books) and she was completely right there too. I wanted my readers to go away eager for the next book for more answers, but not frustrated over it.

I would defer to their expertise if I were you. Though having said that, if there is something you are passionate about then it's worth fighting for. Maybe try to explain to them why you think the building up of the company is important. Write it all down and make sure it is well articulated. By passionate, but not aggressive.

Good luck with it, I hope it works out how you want it.

Susan Coffin · May 12, 2013

You're a brand new writer, with very little experience, and they just accepted your work? I'd be googling this publisher/editor, seeing if they're legit and if they've possibly scammed others before you. I saw red flags everywhere in your post. But if it's legit, then good luck, and congrats.

I agree, even though the OP said this:

mfarraday; it's one of the e-pub arms of a major publisher but I can see why red flags went up

Kaarl.

Your work was accepted quickly when you have little experience writing. Please tell us that you did not have to pay any money up front, or the publisher is not charging you any fees. Agents and publishers make money off the sales of your book only.

Also, please take this publisher's name down to the Bewares forum here and get feedback.

We at AW tend to look out for each other.

u.v.ray · May 12, 2013

>> I am still waiting for a list of the changes that they would like to see, but would it be bad form to email or call her to say that I've changed my mind about some things ?<<

How can you have changed your mind about some things, before you have even heard what they want you to change, let alone agreed to make any changes?

It's a dialogue between you and the publisher. I am sure they will also be open to any suggestions you yourself have. For instance: if they suggest removing a scene where a character walks up a flight of stairs - but you really like the scene - you might agree the stairs should be dropped from the scene but suggest: how about we install an elevator?

A rather weak analogy, I admit, but one I hope conveys what I am saying.

Debbie V · May 13, 2013

Assuming this is a legit press, this.

cornflake said:
Wait to see what they want done.

Read the suggested changes over a couple times. Then put them down and let it sit for a few days. Then go back and look again. Then think about them again. Then look again. THEN contact the house and discuss any significant changes they're asking for that you disagree with at that point.

Except, try out the changes in a new document and let those sit before contacting them, unless you aren't sure what they want. If you need clarification, ask for it. Once you make the changes, you may find you like some things you didn't think you would and vice versa.

Also, look at why they might want those changes, because it could be there is a better way to solve the issue. When you do talk to them, be prepared with your questions and concerns, but be open minded about theirs too. You have a common goal - producing the best possible manuscript.

You can always go back to your original in its entirety or just keep the changes you agreed with if the deal falls flat.

Good luck.

NeuroFizz · May 13, 2013

Authors shouldn't have to DEAL with editors. Authors should WORK WITH editors--it is a partnerhship, not some system of authoritarian command. You should respect the editor's suggestions, but treat them as just that--suggestions. If this is a quality publisher, those suggestions will be based on extensive experience and a eye toward making your story more appealing to readers. That said, the author always has the right to question the editor's advice, to reject some of it (with appropriate and properly justified reasons), and to find new solutions to highlighted issues.

A question about dealing with editors

Kaarl

Novice Wordsmith

Kerosene

Your Pixie Queen

cornflake

practical experience, FTW

Buffysquirrel

bonitakale

mfarraday

Time Traveler

Kaarl

Novice Wordsmith

Jane Wallace-Knight

Wading through a sea of words

Susan Coffin

Tell it like it Is

u.v.ray

greatest writer of his generation

Debbie V

Mentoring Myself and Others

NeuroFizz

The grad students did it