The Editorial Process

Susan Gable · Dec 1, 2006

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 · Dec 1, 2006

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 · Dec 1, 2006

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 · Dec 1, 2006

BarbaraSheridan said:
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 · Dec 1, 2006

Susan Gable said:
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 · Dec 2, 2006

BarbaraSheridan said:
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 · Dec 2, 2006

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

BarbaraSheridan · Dec 2, 2006

Susan Gable said:
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 · Dec 2, 2006

BarbaraSheridan said:
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 · Dec 4, 2006

BarbaraSheridan said:
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 · Dec 4, 2006

RWA

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 · Dec 4, 2006

Sakamonda said:
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.

The Editorial Process

Susan Gable

Dreamer of dreams, teller of tales

Gillhoughly

Grumpy writer and editor

BarbaraSheridan

insert catchy phrase here

Susan Gable

Dreamer of dreams, teller of tales

BarbaraSheridan

insert catchy phrase here

Susan Gable

Dreamer of dreams, teller of tales

Provrb1810meggy

BarbaraSheridan

insert catchy phrase here

Susan Gable

Dreamer of dreams, teller of tales

Heather Lewis

Sakamonda

...

Susan Gable

Dreamer of dreams, teller of tales

The Editorial Process

Dreamer of dreams, teller of tales

Grumpy writer and editor

*insert catchy phrase here*

Dreamer of dreams, teller of tales

*insert catchy phrase here*

Dreamer of dreams, teller of tales

*insert catchy phrase here*

Dreamer of dreams, teller of tales

...

Dreamer of dreams, teller of tales

insert catchy phrase here

insert catchy phrase here

insert catchy phrase here