by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig
I have a tough time adjusting to change sometimes.
I’ve learned, through the years, to be more flexible. That’s the only way I’ve managed to write books as a parent—because a parent’s life can be totally chaotic. Children get sick, carpools change, children’s activities change, schedules are changed at the drop of a hat.
But change, in general? Still tough for me.
So that would explain the feeling of trepidation I got when I found out two days before the July deadline that my editor for the Memphis series is changing. My previous editor is leaving Penguin and she sent me an email to let me know…and to give me the contact information for the new editor for my series.
Everything got better quickly. I shot an email to the new editor and introduced myself—gave her a brief overview of the kinds of books I write and the different editors I’ve worked with. I told her I would be sending her a new book….the next day. I told her I was always happy to make changes of any kind.
I also stated that I wasn’t great on the phone and preferred emailing, if possible. :) Otherwise, I’m usually so deer-in-the-headlights that I don’t even remember the substance of the conversation afterwards.
The new editor emailed me back and was totally lovely. I calmed down and got back to the new story I was writing.
But it’s tough. I’ve been working with Emily since 2009 to develop and promote the series. She knows the characters and knows when something is out of character for them. She knows the setting and my voice.
My friend, Hart Johnson, had the same editor. She was a little anxious about the changes, too.
Of course, this change does give me the opportunity to hear some new ideas and possibly take the series in a new direction. Once I realized that was the case, I felt a lot better.
Each editor I’ve had has handled business a little differently:
New books, possible new series, contract issues, payment:
For these types of issues, my editors go through my agent. Except for one editor—in a deal that I negotiated myself. For Midnight Ink, when I have a royalty issue, etc., I call them directly.
Planning the series: One of my editors likes an outline/proposal for the next book in the series. Another editor told me whatever I wanted to do was fine.
Communication:
One editor corresponded by mail. I’m not kidding. I was shocked to see a huge package of revisions one day with corrections written in the margins. I made the corrections on my Word file and emailed it back….it would have cost a ton to print and mail back that thing.
Usually I communicate by email. I really prefer it that way because I have a record of the changes and the editor’s thoughts on a project. Sometimes I’ll copy-paste bits of the emails to my online calendar to make sure the items are addressed.
One editor does like communicating by phone some. Unfortunately, I’m usually out running errands or taking my kids somewhere…and flustered. The phone does fluster me. It means I have to email later to make sure that I’m on the same page with the editor.
Revisions and light editing:
Aside from the editor who mailed revisions, the other editors use Word’s Track Changes to send me suggested corrections and changes. I make the changes and email them back.
Artwork and production:
One editor asks me after the fact how I like the cover…but will make changes if there are elements I don’t like (there has only been one time where I asked for a small change—a sign was purposefully misspelled outside a business owned by my character—and I thought the error it didn’t fit the character, whom I perceived as educated.)
The other editor asks for me to be very involved with the cover—actually, more involved than I feel qualified to be. I’d probably prefer the art department and marketing to work their magic, then just have the be ability to comment on a sketch and ask for minor changes.
Sales reports and follow-ups:
Both editors send me figures after the first week and ask whether I’d like weekly reports from that point out. I don’t. :)
Conferences and promo:
One editor, years ago, never mentioned promo of any kind. Never asked if I blogged, never asked if I tweeted or if I went to stores or conferences.
My current (well, and now former) editors invite me to conferences where the publisher has a presence there (like Malice Domestic and Bouchercon) and ask if I’ll be at the dinner the publisher hosts. Unfortunately, these tend to always occur far away when the children have something huge going on….although I did attend one that was very nice.
I think that the key factor in working with editors is flexibility. Business is handled differently, depending on the editor—and change doesn’t have to be bad. It’s just…different. And now I’ll need to be flexible again.
I’m reminding myself, also, that they are adjusting to change, too. My new editor is saddled with me! Now she’s got a writer who hates talking on the phone….and explained that to her. :) What if that’s the primary way she likes communicating with her writers?
What’s your experience working with editors…or dealing with changes? How do you adapt to change (and is it easy for you to?)
Elizabeth – Thanks for your perspective on working with different editors. I think the best editors are flexible too. They know that each author handles work differently and they’re willing to work with each author to find a communication style that works.
I’m not great on the phone either – I tend to get nervous and miss half of what’s said to me. And I babble – never attractive. *sigh* Email is so great! :)
I am learning to embrace change, but it isn’t easy. Finding an editor you feel really gets you and your work is also not easy. I do think we need to be flexible when working with editors. If I had to deal with changes on the phone I’d be scribbling like a maniac to get it all down. Sounds stressful to me. Unless you record the message.
Karen
I’m a creature of habit, so change is difficult. Don’t like the phone much either.
This post is fascinating and immensely helpful to me. I haven’t gotten to the editor stage yet (still searching for an agent), but this really puts it into perspective. It was a straightforward, honest peek into the experience–a little preview to calm my nerves. Thanks very much for that!
Margot–I think they’re probably used to all the neuroses that writers have…ha! Other than that, I’m pretty easy to work with because I don’t mind making changes. I’ll change the killer, change the setting, change the victim…doesn’t matter to me if it makes the story better.
Alex–I’m glad I’m not the only one!
Jemi–Yep, I’m a babbler when I’m nervous, too.
Karen–It does stress me, that’s for sure. Also, sometimes I have a hard time getting the gist of what editors are acutally asking for when I’m on the phone. If there’s any subtext in the conversation at all, it’s just lost on me. :) If I’m *reading* something, though, then I have an easier time figuring out what they’re asking….because they’re usually being very clear. I need clarity, definitely.
Annie–Good luck finding an agent! I’m glad you found the post helpful. :)
Insightful post Elizabeth. I’t never easy working with someone else and someone with such control over your work is quite daunting too!
I imagine it’s difficult and scary to change editors. It’s like losing a friend and someone new is plunked down in her place.
Pat–It can be. But I always believe they have the best interest of my story at heart.
Diane–Yes, that’s exactly the way it is! And a friend who knows my characters as if they were *her* friends. It does mean an adjustment, for sure. I’m mentally prepared for a change of direction now…and it took me a little while to get there. :)
It’s so cool that you’re flexible. I’ll bet editors love working with you, because you make their job easier.
I’m not a huge fan of the phone either. I have a short attention span, and forget 90% of what is said.
My only experience has been with magazine editors, but their suggestions made the articles 100% better. I’m totally open to anything that makes my work stronger!
It’s all about flexibility and you have that in spades my dear. But wow, an editor that communicates through mail? Mail?! *shudders*
I love how you manage all these strands of your work – fantastic! I haven’t got an editor yet but I have had directors of plays I’ve written and that has some of the same feeling – I tried to be as flexible as possible but still staying true to my vision of the work. Names were always a battle (names of the plays)and artwork is something like the look of the play – writing a play and having it produced is a very cooperative affair! Can be irritating.
Added note: I wanted to stop by all my fave places and tell you that I’m sorry I haven’t been by much (or commenting). I’ve been on a tremendous writing jag – the likes of that I haven’t experienced since the year I left university (sixteen years ago – I was a late scholar). I have written 65 thousand so far since the beginning of June on a new book and fifty new poems (facebook every day with a photo). It is all great fun but it eats up all my time as I’m also working and trying to sell our house. I thought I’d take some time today and just tell you that I totally appreciate both your blog and your comments on mine and I will be back in full force soon! I have a mystery to revise and one to finish but I think I just revised too long and now I’m writing freeeeeee
Julie–Ha! I think that’s right, actually. I’m not their best writer (and I know that for a fact, because I know who else writes for them),but I’m always on time and I’m always easy to work with (well, aside from the phone thing…and that’s just me being neurotic.) I think Neil Gaiman made a statement to that effect in that recent graduation speech he made.
Exactly! It’s all about enhancing the reader’s experience. Then we have dedicated readers! I think I may have only dragged my feet once on a suggested revision–it was dialect and now I wonder if I was wrong to want to keep it in!
Heather–That’s what I said! Ha! I *think* she wanted me to mail it back! I…well, I just couldn’t. Spend $5 on paper, $10 on printer ink, $9 to mail it? No way.
Jan–The idea of a director scares me a little! It’s very in-person, isn’t it? Very instantaneous feedback. :) Yes, I’ll keep my editors who email!
I’m SO GLAD you’ve been writing so much. This sounds like a burst of creativity that has really energized you and your work. The business with your house has got to be incredibly time-consuming. I totally understand…no worries! I want to see that mystery of yours. :)