Editorial Committee

*Update: My agent read through my blog posts and pointed out that Steve Laube's descriptions of the process (see bottom of post) are the more accurate way to describe the publication committees than my bumbling attempts! So I've changed a few things from my original post to reflect this.

In my recent posts I shared about my experience writing a book proposal. To read more about it, click here: Book Proposals.

This week I thought I'd catch you up to date with where my book proposal is at in this stage of the writing journey. As you know, I sent the completed book proposal back to my agent. Then she emailed it to the specific publishing house she thought would be best for my books.

I've learned that there are approximately three stages a book goes through at a publishing house: Editor, Editorial Committee, Publication Board.

Editor: Once the editor had my proposal, he had the opportunity to look it over and make an initial, yes or no decision. This is a critical phase, kind of like querying an agent. The proposal has to catch the editor's attention and the sample chapters have to spark an interest so that he or she wants to read more. Fortunately for me, the editor liked it, called my agent, and requested to see the full manuscript on one of my books.

Editorial Committee: The next step was the editor reading my book and then taking it to the Editorial Committee. This is a group of editors and people who work for the publishing house that meet regularly to discuss the various books that are "on the table," the ones they might consider publishing.

My book went to Editorial Committee last Wednesday. My agent graciously kept me up to date on all of the pro's and con's the committee was likely to discuss about my book (via emails from the editor.) This committee would now determine whether my book was something they could consider publishing or whether they would decline to look at it further.

Let me just say, I jumped every time the phone rang last Wednesday! I tried not to think about what they were discussing about my book and about me as an author. But my ears burned all day! Finally, Thursday morning, Rachelle called. What did Editorial Committee decide? Would my book make it to Publication Board or not?

To read about the next phase of the journey click here: Publication Board.

For an article that explains the various publishing committees in greater detail, check out Steve Laube's new blog and this article: Who Decides To Publish Your Book? Also, Rachelle Gardner has an excellent post: From Proposal to Publication.