I recently read an interview in the RWR about an author who moved to New York to learn all she could about the behind-the-scenes aspects of the book industry. Among other jobs, she worked her way up to assistant editor at a large publishing house and then wrote a series of books for that publisher, with several of her former colleagues becoming her editors at one time or another. I had two contradictory reactions to this interview: "Unfair advantage!" And, "How smart!" (As I read the rest of the interview, of course there was much more to how this particular author researched the markets and used her experiences to write the best books she could and position them to sell.)
This struck me as a very different avenue to getting to know an editor than I will take, as most of my contact with my editor will probably be via e-mail. Because of my personality and many years in state government where even a box of candy could be interpreted as "bribery," I tend to separate my personal and professional relationships. So I will approach this "getting to know you" phase with business basics:
-- Don't say something, do something or write something in an e-mail that I would be embarrassed to see printed on the front page of a large daily newspaper (or passed from editor to editor to editor).
-- Dress professionally when out in public. Just because I sometimes write in my pajamas doesn't mean it's appropriate attire for attending a conference or meeting an editor for the first time.
-- No gruesome descriptions of Aunt Martha's most recent gall bladder surgery during lunch. (Unless it features prominently in my latest manuscript!)
-- I still have to do the work and turn it in by the deadline, even if -- or maybe especially if -- the editor is my friend.
-- Respect the fact that sometimes a project just isn't right for an editor or their publisher. Accept "no thanks" graciously and try again on my next appropriate project.
Seems pretty basic, huh? Though I know every editor/author relationship is different, I'm looking for suggestions on how to loosen my straight-laced business attitude to include socializing without endangering a professional relationship with an editor. And maybe those suggestions will help other chapter members trying to catch an editor's attention. How do you balance a social and professional relationship with an editor or with someone you want to become your editor? Or do you maintain a strictly professional relationship with your editor?
10 comments:
Genene--
I think you just act natural. Not like you would with a girlfriend, perhaps, but when you first make a new girlfriend, you don't drag her through your personal history at first either, right? You use a get-to-know-you phase. You build up some trust. You try a joke and see if she laughs, you try a revelation and gauge her reaction. If you like her responses, you try a little more.
I've worked with at least nine editors. A couple I really didn't like. A few I liked very much and kept in touch with when they left my field of publishing. Some I felt pretty comfortable with, went shoe shopping with, etc. The one I have now I like, she seems to like me, we get along fine.
On the other hand, she is my editor. She stands between me and a contract. It is not an equal playing field and I know it. I have seen some writers who take a lot of liberties and get real chummy, but I don't go that far. I'm careful what I rveal about myself and like you said, I don't say or write anything I don't want to come back and bite me in the you know what. I guess it's instinct to know how far to go.
Perhaps it's the difference in a daughter and a daughter-in-law. I love both of these women in my life, but I am aware of the differences. I know which one will forgive me almost any blunder and which might not.
I think your business experience will heed you well in your editor to writer relationships. And the way you approach your business and friendship relationships grows out of who you are. I'm probably a lot more out there than you would feel comfortable. You might grow to really like this person. You might want to send her a Xmas card or a box of candy for a special job or occassion. You might not feel that comfortable but still enjoy a mutual respect. Give it time, let it grow, stay open to changes. That's my advice.
Alice
Hey, Genene. Congrats again on your publishing contract. 8^)
I agree with Alice in that you just need to follow your instincts. The editor for my first book was also my publisher at Speculation Press, so I was real nervous when our relationship first started. Kind of like how you feel at your first pitch session with an agent or editor. But we grew to know each other really well over the few months before my book came out. SP is a traditional small press, they don't do ebooks, so they only had a handful of authors they were working with.
Now Winifred and I are regular pals. We'd go shoe-shopping together if she didn't live in Chicago. 8^) But we email each other quite often about writing and publishing, because she's an author, too. And she attends the Colorado Gold conference now and then, so I get to see her there every year or so. But our editor/author relationship is probably more the exception than the rule.
My current publisher is a bit different. They have dozens of authors to deal with all the time, and though my editor only edits for the suspense line, I think she's inundated with queries and submissions 24-7. After the editing process was over, she and I pretty much lost touch. I communicate more with the Wild Rose Press publishers themselves because of the forums on the website and the special novella project I'm working on.
Genene, you'll settle in comfortably in no time. Really. Just enjoy the experience. 8^)
Karen
Hmmm. What issue of RWR was that? Interesting idea. If I lived in NY, I might be crazy enough to try something like that. A few classmates from law school went on to be sports/entertainment agents (no literary agents :( )--but I'm also pretty sure I'd give myself a major complex about my own writing that way too. I can't wait till Becky and Paty weigh in on this one--they're kind of living their own version of this tale.
But, Genene, you ARE a natural for this. You're always so professional--I don't think you have anything to worry about--you're such a warm and personable person, and that comes across even in email :)
Great post, Genene. While I have no experience with editor/author relationships, I'm interested because it's something I've been thinking about in regards to my agent. She's young and easy to talk to (one of the reasons I picked her), but our relationship is pretty professional at this point, and I like that. My crit partner sends her agent Christmas packages and care gifts during the year - I just don't see myself doing that. I prefer to keep the relationship on a more professional level at this point.
Genene--I agree wholeheartedly with Wavybrain's last paragraph.
Alice
Hey Genene,
Just treat your editor like you do anyone else. You're a nice person and always act in a professional manner. No worries, mate. Your editor can be your business associate and your friend.
Of course, this coming from someone who has no editor. Although when I worked as a reporter, I had many. Some I liked. Some I didn't. A couple I played softball with, so we had a professional and sportsmanlike relationship both. Heck, they're just people. People who can spell really well, and know grammar like the back of their hand. (At least hopefully)
Alice, I like your comment about the difference between daughter and daughter in law.
How true that must be. Never thought about it like that before.
There is a fine line, in my opinion that should be kept between the editor and the author.
I like being on friendly terms with the writers at Wild Rose BUT when a decision is made either by myself or someone else on the staff, I don't like whining and going to others at Wild Rose Press for answers that have already been given. And in some instances rejections.
We've had a couple writers at TWRP who have actually been on the TWRP forum and made comments about editors. For those who don't know the site, there is a forum where readers, authors, and editors can go and post comments that anyone can read. You can bet the grumbling writers aren't going to be published at TWRP any time soon because of their unprofessionalism.
I don't mind an author sending me an e-mail asking for more information if they don't understand what I said, but I don't like them going around me if they don't like the answer.
That said - I believe professionalism between an editor and author is a fundamental element of a good editor/author relationship. They aren't your best buddy and they shouldn't be. You can't expect them to give you an honest opinion if they are trying not to hurt your feelings or cause hard feelings.
And that's my two cents!
Thanks, everyone, for your comments and reassurance! (Sorry this reply is so late. I've been having trouble getting into the comments section -- on my end, I think, since it worked fine tonight!) I so much appreciate all of you!
P.S. to Bethany -- this was the October issue of the RWR. Sometimes I get part way through them and they get buried awhile in my "to read" stack before I dig down to them again.
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