ShereeBee:
I am interested in the possibility of becoming an independent editor. What qualifications do I need? What would a job description for an "Independent Editor" look like? Thank you.
Dear Terriellen,
I believe an independent editor is another name for a freelance editor, that is, someone who works at home and takes on editing projects from a variety of sources, such as publishers, agents, writers, corporations, and others. "Editing," however is a slippery term. At large publishing houses, there are editors in the editorial departments with varying titles. Some are Senior Editors; others are Associate Editors, Managing Editors, Executive Editors, Editors in Chief, Editors at Large (who work on staff but from home), Editorial Assistants (the first rung on the ladder), and others. The job description for each of these titles varies from publisher to publisher. Most editors (with all of these titles) are informally known as Acquiring Editors. That means that they decide which books they wish to publish. Some editors sit with blue pencils and manuscripts; some develop books with authors via modem and on the phone; and some never lift a pencil but merely acquire books and run the show. In the production department are the copyeditors, who edit manuscripts for style, grammar, spelling, accuracy, and consistency.
I believe there are two basic types of freelance editors who work at home or as temporary employees. Some would do developmental work on manuscripts and others would copyedit. At this stage, I recommend you look at books about copyediting and proofreading, and I think you'll find your answer. Also, look in the Literary Market Place under Book Doctors and Editorial Services and write away for brochures. Some of the editors you write to may also be interested in serving as consultants.
Hope I haven't confused you utterly.
Do you have copies of what contracts, submission & release forms look like. You could attach a file if possible.
Many thanks for the offer and opportunity to receive this assistance.
Dear Ruth,
I highly recommend that you and everyone reading this get a copy of Jeff Herman's Writer's Guide to Book Publishers, Editors, and Literary Agents (the most current edition; it is updated yearly). Also, I believe you will also find the forms you are looking for in a book by Kirsch. I don't have access to it now, but it's a legal book for writers. It may be called something like Handbook of Literary Law. I will print the exact title in my next column.
Dear Shereebee,
I had written about 200 pages of a novel. It was not complete, but I had won several awards for what was in progress and (probably my first mistake) I began marketing what I had. It was rejected a zillion times, but there was lots of interest. Finally, I snagged an agent. He never mentioned that the book was unfinished but said he loved it and I signed a contract.
Let me point out that this was an agent with a well known, very well known New York agency with a serious track record.
Anyway, my agent turned out to be what I finally determined was a frustrated writer and simply edited me into a supreme state of confusion. Xing out whole chapters, rejecting the very heart of the lead character. I tried very hard not to be defensive and that might have been my second big mistake. Because after a few rewrites under his direction I was a mess and simply had very little notion of what the hell the thing was about in the first place. I finally wrote him a wimpy note that just said I didn't want to write a novel this way and sorry charlie I'll see ya around.
My award winning 200 pages sits in a kinko's box at the bottom of a file drawer under my phone books, has been for two years. Am now writing something completely different and am happy with it.
My question: Is this what agents do? Is it normal for an agent to work a novel over in such a way? I certainly hope I'll have another one someday and want to know what to expect.
Your thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
Dear Shultzyee,
Were you right or were you wrong? In my unequivocal opinion: yes, no, yes, no. I believe you had a series of unfortunate miscommunications and that, if I were to hear your whole story and the agent's whole story, I would be sympathetic to both.
Different agents operate differently, just as do different authors. What's comfortable for one person or two people together does not work for others. In an ideal world, the author writes a bestseller (the whole manuscript if it's a first-timer's work of fiction or creative non-fiction), polishes and edits it and sends it to an agent, who then sends the author a contract and sells the book to a publisher. Rarely is the ideal met, and any number of alternatives may then ensue.
Had you sent your promising work to me, I would have asked you to finish it and send it to me when it was finished or when it was as good as you can get it. If I felt it needed just a little work, I would have told you what I felt it needed and asked you if you agreed and felt you could do it and wanted to. If we saw eye to eye, you would then proceed and send it to me again. If I felt it needed a lot of work, I would recommend you hire an independent editor or book doctor (they are listed in the Literary Market Place and sometimes I can recommend someone appropriate). Your arrangement with that person would be between you and him or her. I would hope that when you and the book doctor were satisfied you would then return to me to inquire about representation.
I have found myself in situations where I did more developmental work than I could afford. This is costly for an agent who works on spec and does not charge fees. I especially do not want to involve myself in it because some authors resent it and do not appreciate the cost to me. Other authors, however, appreciate it beyond measure!
I used to say that I would represent a book if an author did xyz to it. Now I say I will not represent the book but if the author cares to do xyz I would be happy to consider it again. The burden is on the author.
But all is not lost in your situation. Obviously you are meant to be a writer as you are working on your next bestseller. When it is completely ready and you are happy with it and have gotten feedback from such people as writers, editors, honest friends, and teachers, then begin your search for an agent, and I hope you will start with me.
If you will send me your next novel whenever it is ready and give me a three-week exclusive period to decide if I wish to represent it, assure me that it has not been to publishers, and include a s.a.s.e, I will give you a prompt response. After you sell a novel or two and become famous, you will then be able to dust off your first novel (like John Grisham did) and sell it.
Did I answer your question?
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