I. What an Editor Does Now
The role of the editor has changed significantly. In the past, editors used to spend considerable time editing their author’s work. Today, editors have various functions, including proofreader, copyeditor, developmental editor, acquisitions editor, and managing editor.
A proofreader’s main role is to ensure accuracy in the manuscript. They edit for style, typesetting, printing errors, typos, misspellings, and consistency. A proofreader does not conduct developmental editing or content-oriented editing.
A copyeditor ensures readability. In essence, they act as a proofreader, but also make light developmental changes, check for grammar; phrasing; and logical problems, make sure the writing style is consistent, and offers slight suggestions when it comes to content.
The developmental editor, sometimes titled the “editor,” improves the quality of the work. They edit for content, make the story and plot logical, comment on the organization, and pay some attention to what copyeditors and proofreaders look for. These days, literary agents often do this sort of editing.
The acquisitions editor is the business professional that acquires the book and recommends it to the editorial board. They read the manuscript for quality and marketability, suggests some changes if they feel the book is close to publishable, and works with the agent and the author to make an offer on the book, get a contract signed, and agree to schedule.
The managing editor manages the production of the book from manuscript to a book for sale. They oversee the schedule of the book production cycle, assign the book to developmental editors, proofreaders, indexers if necessary, and makes sure it gets to the printer on time, to the designer, and to the marketing team.
II. Steps of the Publishing Process
1. Write a Book: If you’re an unpublished author or one without much of a publication history, don’t depend on queries without a finished manuscript. Very few publishing houses will accept a book idea on speculation (proposal) anymore. This may be slightly less true with nonfiction, but only if the project will take a lot of research.
2. Make Certain Your Book is Finished: Don’t rush to submit your book to a publishing house as soon as your done writing it. First, revise until you can’t make it any better. After that, pass out copies of your revised manuscript to three to five good readers you know. From there, work on it some more with your readers’ suggestions or hire a professional editor. If you’re worried about the cost of a professional editor, keep in mind that sending your manuscript to a bunch of agents and presses can also be costly. The competition for publication is fierce; your work must be as polished as possible.
3. Research the Market and Submit your Work: You need to figure out where your book fits. Several resources exist that can help you find appropriate publishing houses for your manuscript. When you submit, package your work professionally
Where to Submit?
Agents: Probably are the best option for new writers, especially those with big-house aspirations.
Small Presses: Right fit for some projects but it’s just as hard to be published with a small press as it is a large house.
Large houses: Never submit directly, most houses are closed to unsolicited submissions.
Literary magazines: Magazines are a good idea to submit your work. Generally, submit your manuscript to about nine at a time.
Self-Publishers: Recommend against in all cases except regional interest and those with large friend/family base who will support and promote the book.
When your book is accepted for publication, it’ll come by formal or informal notice. Once you get an offer, contact your agent or lawyer to review the contract. All reputable publishers pay an advance, but vary in the amount.
The Book Release Process
Once all the editing is completed, the book is ready to be printed and the marketing begins. Advanced copies are given to the publisher to send out for book reviews. Securing reviews is crucial, especially to large houses.
Aside from book reviews, the publisher will market the book in a variety of ways including book launches, author tours, blog tours, advertisements, and TV; radio; and print interviews. This list in not exhaustive of every publishing house or will every publishing house market the same way. The author is instrumental in this process.
Writing as a Career
Writing is not a good primary job. Although it can be part of a good income, very few writers make money only as writers. Even the most successful writers supplement their income by doing talks, writing magazine articles, and doing some ghostwriting. It’s unlikely to get a huge advance to live off the fame and fortune.
III. Literary Magazines
There are as many types of magazines as there are types of writing, such as magazines that specialize in fiction, nonfiction, poetry, horror, sci-fi, writing by women, work by undergraduate students, etc.
Submitting to magazines or publishes is essentially the same in terms of the basic rule: Do you research. This is crucial in determining which magazine would be the best fit for your material.
To research magazines, go to your local library or bookstore as they usually have some literary magazines for you to browse through and see what they’ve been publishing lately. Before submitting, check out the magazine’s website, if they have one, to see what kind of material they publish and read, at least, two to three of their pieces.
When you are ready to submit to a magazine, break it down into tiers or your “wish list” of the places you’d like to publish your work.
Keep track of where you submit and the day you submitted using a detailed sheet, such as an Excel program or otherwise. Calculate the general response time by the following formula: (maximum response time) x 1.5 + 1 week. Any longer than that, send a status query, but make sure you keep the query short and simple.
Publishing in magazines is highly recommended. Magazines will help you:
1. Break into other markets
2. Build a publication history
3. Get noticed by agents
4. Gain a readership
5. Some magazines pay
IV. Cover Letters and Manuscript Formatting
1. Cover Letter Example for Short Story or Essay:
(Your name)
(Your contact information)
(Date)
Dear Ms. Correct Editor’s name:
Please consider my 3500-word story, Kissing Odds, for publication in Willow Springs.
Best,
(Your name)
[50 or less word bio]
2. Cover Letter Example for Poetry:
(Your name)
(Your contact information)
(Date)
Dear Mr. Correct Editor’s name:
Please consider my poems, “The Waste Land,” “Since Feeling is First,” and “My Favorite Phone Number” for publication in Willow Springs.
Best,
(Your name)
[50 or less word bio]
3. Cover Letter Example for a Novel:
(Your name)
(Your contact information)
(Date)
Dear Ms. Correct Editor’s name:
Please consider my 90,000-word novel, “The Things They Didn’t Carry” for publication.
[150-200 word description of book with minimal marketing language]
Best,
(Your name)
[50 or less word bio]
About your Biography…
Your biography should only be between 50 to 100 words, unless you have a lot of publications. But it’s better to say too little than too much. Your biography should include your writing-related accomplishments, previous publications, and education even if it’s not writing–related.
Prose Manuscript Format Example:
Adam O’Connor Rodriguez
111 SW 111 St., Apt. 111
Portland, OR 97211
(503)111-1111
aorpublic@gmail.com
5000 Words (right hand side of page)
Kissing Odds (center title)
(double space)
Context is everything. Dress me up and see. I'm a carnival barker, an auctioneer, a downtown performance artist, a speaker in tongues, a senator drunk on filibuster. I've got Tourette's. My mouth won't quit, though mostly I whisper or subvocalize like I'm reading aloud, my Adam's apple bobbing, jaw muscle beating like a miniature heart under my cheek, the noise suppressed, the words escaping silently, mere ghosts of themselves, husks empty of breath and tone. (If I were a Dick Tracy villain, I'd have to be Mumbles.) In this diminished form the words rush out of the cornucopia of my brain to course over the surface of the world, tickling reality like fingers on piano keys. Caressing, nudging. They're an invisible army on a peacekeeping
Poetry Manuscript Format Example:
Adam O’Connor Rodriguez
111 SW 111 St., Apt. 111
Portland, OR 97211
(503)111-1111
aorpublic@gmail.com
The Waste Land
(single space)
April is the cruelest month, breeding
Lilacs out of the dead land, mixing
Memory and desire, stirring
Dull roots with spring rain.
Winter kept us warm, covering
Earth in forgetful snow, feeding
A little life with dried tubers.
Summer surprised us, coming over the Starnbergersee
With a shower of rain; we stopped in the colonnade.
V. Decoding Rejection Letters
1. No ink, straight form letter: Probably shouldn’t submit to this magazine/publisher again unless it’s something substantially different.
The role of the editor has changed significantly. In the past, editors used to spend considerable time editing their author’s work. Today, editors have various functions, including proofreader, copyeditor, developmental editor, acquisitions editor, and managing editor.
A proofreader’s main role is to ensure accuracy in the manuscript. They edit for style, typesetting, printing errors, typos, misspellings, and consistency. A proofreader does not conduct developmental editing or content-oriented editing.
A copyeditor ensures readability. In essence, they act as a proofreader, but also make light developmental changes, check for grammar; phrasing; and logical problems, make sure the writing style is consistent, and offers slight suggestions when it comes to content.
The developmental editor, sometimes titled the “editor,” improves the quality of the work. They edit for content, make the story and plot logical, comment on the organization, and pay some attention to what copyeditors and proofreaders look for. These days, literary agents often do this sort of editing.
The acquisitions editor is the business professional that acquires the book and recommends it to the editorial board. They read the manuscript for quality and marketability, suggests some changes if they feel the book is close to publishable, and works with the agent and the author to make an offer on the book, get a contract signed, and agree to schedule.
The managing editor manages the production of the book from manuscript to a book for sale. They oversee the schedule of the book production cycle, assign the book to developmental editors, proofreaders, indexers if necessary, and makes sure it gets to the printer on time, to the designer, and to the marketing team.
II. Steps of the Publishing Process
1. Write a Book: If you’re an unpublished author or one without much of a publication history, don’t depend on queries without a finished manuscript. Very few publishing houses will accept a book idea on speculation (proposal) anymore. This may be slightly less true with nonfiction, but only if the project will take a lot of research.
2. Make Certain Your Book is Finished: Don’t rush to submit your book to a publishing house as soon as your done writing it. First, revise until you can’t make it any better. After that, pass out copies of your revised manuscript to three to five good readers you know. From there, work on it some more with your readers’ suggestions or hire a professional editor. If you’re worried about the cost of a professional editor, keep in mind that sending your manuscript to a bunch of agents and presses can also be costly. The competition for publication is fierce; your work must be as polished as possible.
3. Research the Market and Submit your Work: You need to figure out where your book fits. Several resources exist that can help you find appropriate publishing houses for your manuscript. When you submit, package your work professionally
Where to Submit?
Agents: Probably are the best option for new writers, especially those with big-house aspirations.
Small Presses: Right fit for some projects but it’s just as hard to be published with a small press as it is a large house.
Large houses: Never submit directly, most houses are closed to unsolicited submissions.
Literary magazines: Magazines are a good idea to submit your work. Generally, submit your manuscript to about nine at a time.
Self-Publishers: Recommend against in all cases except regional interest and those with large friend/family base who will support and promote the book.
When your book is accepted for publication, it’ll come by formal or informal notice. Once you get an offer, contact your agent or lawyer to review the contract. All reputable publishers pay an advance, but vary in the amount.
The Book Release Process
Once all the editing is completed, the book is ready to be printed and the marketing begins. Advanced copies are given to the publisher to send out for book reviews. Securing reviews is crucial, especially to large houses.
Aside from book reviews, the publisher will market the book in a variety of ways including book launches, author tours, blog tours, advertisements, and TV; radio; and print interviews. This list in not exhaustive of every publishing house or will every publishing house market the same way. The author is instrumental in this process.
Writing as a Career
Writing is not a good primary job. Although it can be part of a good income, very few writers make money only as writers. Even the most successful writers supplement their income by doing talks, writing magazine articles, and doing some ghostwriting. It’s unlikely to get a huge advance to live off the fame and fortune.
III. Literary Magazines
There are as many types of magazines as there are types of writing, such as magazines that specialize in fiction, nonfiction, poetry, horror, sci-fi, writing by women, work by undergraduate students, etc.
Submitting to magazines or publishes is essentially the same in terms of the basic rule: Do you research. This is crucial in determining which magazine would be the best fit for your material.
To research magazines, go to your local library or bookstore as they usually have some literary magazines for you to browse through and see what they’ve been publishing lately. Before submitting, check out the magazine’s website, if they have one, to see what kind of material they publish and read, at least, two to three of their pieces.
When you are ready to submit to a magazine, break it down into tiers or your “wish list” of the places you’d like to publish your work.
Keep track of where you submit and the day you submitted using a detailed sheet, such as an Excel program or otherwise. Calculate the general response time by the following formula: (maximum response time) x 1.5 + 1 week. Any longer than that, send a status query, but make sure you keep the query short and simple.
Publishing in magazines is highly recommended. Magazines will help you:
1. Break into other markets
2. Build a publication history
3. Get noticed by agents
4. Gain a readership
5. Some magazines pay
IV. Cover Letters and Manuscript Formatting
1. Cover Letter Example for Short Story or Essay:
(Your name)
(Your contact information)
(Date)
Dear Ms. Correct Editor’s name:
Please consider my 3500-word story, Kissing Odds, for publication in Willow Springs.
Best,
(Your name)
[50 or less word bio]
2. Cover Letter Example for Poetry:
(Your name)
(Your contact information)
(Date)
Dear Mr. Correct Editor’s name:
Please consider my poems, “The Waste Land,” “Since Feeling is First,” and “My Favorite Phone Number” for publication in Willow Springs.
Best,
(Your name)
[50 or less word bio]
3. Cover Letter Example for a Novel:
(Your name)
(Your contact information)
(Date)
Dear Ms. Correct Editor’s name:
Please consider my 90,000-word novel, “The Things They Didn’t Carry” for publication.
[150-200 word description of book with minimal marketing language]
Best,
(Your name)
[50 or less word bio]
About your Biography…
Your biography should only be between 50 to 100 words, unless you have a lot of publications. But it’s better to say too little than too much. Your biography should include your writing-related accomplishments, previous publications, and education even if it’s not writing–related.
Prose Manuscript Format Example:
Adam O’Connor Rodriguez
111 SW 111 St., Apt. 111
Portland, OR 97211
(503)111-1111
aorpublic@gmail.com
5000 Words (right hand side of page)
Kissing Odds (center title)
(double space)
Context is everything. Dress me up and see. I'm a carnival barker, an auctioneer, a downtown performance artist, a speaker in tongues, a senator drunk on filibuster. I've got Tourette's. My mouth won't quit, though mostly I whisper or subvocalize like I'm reading aloud, my Adam's apple bobbing, jaw muscle beating like a miniature heart under my cheek, the noise suppressed, the words escaping silently, mere ghosts of themselves, husks empty of breath and tone. (If I were a Dick Tracy villain, I'd have to be Mumbles.) In this diminished form the words rush out of the cornucopia of my brain to course over the surface of the world, tickling reality like fingers on piano keys. Caressing, nudging. They're an invisible army on a peacekeeping
Poetry Manuscript Format Example:
Adam O’Connor Rodriguez
111 SW 111 St., Apt. 111
Portland, OR 97211
(503)111-1111
aorpublic@gmail.com
The Waste Land
(single space)
April is the cruelest month, breeding
Lilacs out of the dead land, mixing
Memory and desire, stirring
Dull roots with spring rain.
Winter kept us warm, covering
Earth in forgetful snow, feeding
A little life with dried tubers.
Summer surprised us, coming over the Starnbergersee
With a shower of rain; we stopped in the colonnade.
V. Decoding Rejection Letters
1. No ink, straight form letter: Probably shouldn’t submit to this magazine/publisher again unless it’s something substantially different.
2. Some ink or encouragement, but still likely a form letter: Submit your next project but let some time lapse.
3. Some ink or encouragement with anything specific about your work: Submit your next best work to this place in addition to any future projects. This magazine/publisher should move to the top of your list.
4. A specific letter about your work with an explanation: Submit everything you’ve ever written to this place and submit it quickly.
5. A letter mentioning that your manuscript was “close” and maybe even offers specific advice: Immediately rewrite the book and consider possibly hiring a professional editor. Re-submit to the same press once you’re done with the rewrite. Even if it is still a pass, you have a good chance of being accepted elsewhere.
6. A conditional acceptance: This rarely happens, but it does happen. Every writer will need to make their own decision whether or not they will take the editors advice to revise their work in order to have an acceptance.
VI. What Editors Want
Screeners are usually the first readers of your manuscript once it’s submitted to a magazine/press and they screen it quickly. For this reason, the first five pages are crucial. Your entire manuscript should be good, but your first priority is to get your work to stand out to the screeners.
In the first pages, avoid any “wind up,” long physical descriptions, and quick sketch characterizations. Try to start in the middle of a scene with some sort of action or conflict right away. Keep in mind that angering a screener is better than lulling him or her to sleep.
At all costs, avoid these in the first five pages:
1. Drunken detective that is married to the job
2. Prostitute with a heart of gold
3. Little dancer with a big heart
4. True-life memoir of a parent’s death
5. True-life memoir of a grandparent’s life.
For a first book, chances of getting anything like this past a screener are almost none. A good rule is that if you can think of a TV show, movie, or book similar to what you’re trying to do, change something to make it unique.
Ultimately, editors want what readers want: A well-written, compelling story.
Considering an MFA?
Schools with good reputations: University of Iowa, Columbia University, University of Houston, University of Montana, New York University, University of California-Irvine, and University of Massachusetts
Schools with good programs: University of Alabama, University of Texas, Arizona State University, Texas State University, University of Southern Mississippi, and University of California-Berkley
MFA Programs in the Pacific Northwest: University of Oregon, Oregon State University, University of Idaho, Boise State University, Eastern Oregon University, University of Washington, Western Washington University, and Pacific University
Conferences
Industry Conferences:
1.Book Expo America: It is a conference for presses to meet other presses and book buyers. It is not really worth going for an unpublished author.
2.Associated Writing Programs: This might be the best conference right now. It has a mix of established writers, publishers, new writers, writing students, and academics. It’s a good time and worth going if it’s nearby or if you can attend easily.
Workshop Style Conferences:
These conferences often have low application fees and have scholarships available
1.Bread Loaf—Vermont
2.Sewanee—Tennessee
3.Tin House Summer Writing Workshop
4.Whidbey Island Conference
Local Conferences:
1.Wordstock: It’s like a mini AWP (Associate Writing Program). It’s a great conference and trade show. Since we’re so close, it’s worth going up to Portland. Wordstock is November 7-9th this year.
2.Willamette Writers Conference: It’s sort of a hybrid of the workshop-style conference, a trade show, and an opportunity to meet writers, agents, and editors. The conference is held in Portland and discounts for the conference are available for WW members. This year, it’s August 1-3rd.
Resources for Writers
Print Resources:
1.Writer’s Market
2.Poet’s Market
3.Children’s Writer’s Market
4.Poets and Writers Magazine (The best of the writing-related glossies).
Online Resources:
1.Newpages.com
2.Litlist.net
3.Duotrope.com
4.PW.org
1.Writer’s Market
2.Poet’s Market
3.Children’s Writer’s Market
4.Poets and Writers Magazine (The best of the writing-related glossies).
Online Resources:
1.Newpages.com
2.Litlist.net
3.Duotrope.com
4.PW.org
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