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Know Your Editor

Some things I just take for granted. My friend Steve, for example, is an editor. Although he works for a non-fiction publisher, he still knows a few things about the publishing process. He suggested that I share some of it with the struggling writers out there.

Most of us dream, I suppose, of getting a book published.  I know I still dream about it.  How does it happen?  With traditional publishers, it begins with a query.

Editors are, for the most part, very busy people.  Publishers are the ones who give credibility to writers, and to get published, you need to work with an editor.  All editors work with a “slush pile”—submissions that come in unsolicited.  Until they get your query, editors don’t know you exist, and your submission ends up in the slush pile.

Slush piles do get read, but they don’t have the priority that a known author or a repeat author with the press earn.  This can take a surprisingly long time.

Many editors require approval of an editorial board to publish a book.  They may send your manuscript to outside readers to get some feedback.  If the readers and board approve, they’ll offer you a contract.

Contracts have escape clauses written all through them.  Publishers are terribly afraid of being sued, or being forced into printing something that, upon further research, looks like too great a risk.  You see, each book they publish is an investment and a calculated gamble.

Books cost money to print, and a certain number of copies have to sell in order for the publisher to make back what they’ve invested, and then a profit that will enable the business to continue.  Editors are gatekeepers, and if you find one who likes your work, stay with her.


I’ll be adding some further posts about the publishing process from time to time.  I know it’s a mystery to most of us, and having the inside story is something not to be taken for granted.


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