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Working With In-House Editors

After I signed my book contract, I soon received an email from one of the acquisition editors of Bethany House. He introduced himself, warmly welcomed me to BHP, and then asked if we could schedule a time to have a phone meeting.

With shaking fingers I emailed him back, told him I was thrilled to have the opportunity to work with BHP and made arrangements for a time we could talk.

On the afternoon of our pre-scheduled phone call, I made sure the house was quiet. I positioned myself near the phone and when it rang promptly at 2:00, I took a deep breath then picked it up. Since we're old-fashioned and don't have caller ID, my jittery "hello" was answered by the voice of one of my friends.

I don't remember the conversation with my friend, only that my nerves were dancing a jig as I rushed to finish our call and free up the phone. I started sweating at the thought of my editor getting a busy signal and ripping my contract to shreds in frustration!

Finally, I hung up and a few minutes later the phone rang again. This time I found myself speaking to the senior acquisitions editor of Bethany House Publishers.

He immediately put me at ease with his kind and gracious manner. Within seconds I could tell how amazing he was at his job. His knowledge of the publishing world, his talent at communicating with writers, his ability to direct a writer's career--all of that came shining through our conversation.

Long after our phone meeting was finished, I kept thinking back over the things we'd talked about and feeling grateful. I have an editor who cares not just about selling my books. But he cares about helping me develop a successful writing career.

Of course I have to work incredibly hard to keep growing and learning in my craft. I need to put my heart into editing and taking in all of their suggestions. And I have to write my second and third books so that they're better than the first.

But if I put forth the effort, it's comforting to know I have an editor who will work equally as hard! Actually, Bethany House has assigned me two editors. The acquisition editor will help oversee my books and be involved in all aspects of the publishing process. Another editor will work with me on the specific details of the edits.

Just yesterday I spoke with my acquisition editor again. We had arranged another phone meeting to discuss the options for Books 2 & 3. The editorial team picked two ideas they liked the best. So he and I discussed in more detail the pros and cons of those stories. It was fascinating to learn what kinds of issues I need to steer away from and which ones I should make strong in my next two books.

So, what are your thoughts? Do you it's enough just to find a publisher who's willing to sell your books? Or do you think there's value in having a publisher who's also interested in developing your long term writing career?

36 comments:

  1. Jody I cannot say enough- WOW! God has done an amazing thing through your writing journey. I love how He uses people to help us accomplish His plans.

    Book 2 & 3 will be fabulous because God wouldn't have it any other way.

    Thanks for being a blessing...

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  2. That's SO exciting Jody! Yay for getting to jump into another book. And yay for having an awesome editor to work with. I definitely would love to work with an editor who cares about my writing career. I hope your mind just overflows with awesome ideas as you research and start to outline!

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  3. Definitely a writer needs a publisher who is interested in developing the writer's career. It's a long term relationship and a win-win on both sides. The writer becomes more successful and multi-published, and the publisher more books that improve each time.

    I have a question for you. When you finish writing Book #2, are you going to have a freelance editor go over it first, or are you just going to send it in to the publishing house once you've written and rewritten and polished your work?

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  4. Wow, Jody, you are living the life so many dream of. Thank you for being so generous with sharing that life with us.

    I definitely think having a publisher who is concerned with your long-term career development is a huge blessing! I sure don't want to be a one-book wonder.

    Yeah, I've wanted to ask you the same question that Jill asked. Will you use a freelance editor again or send it straight to your publishing house editors?

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  6. Wow Jody. Does that put a lot of pressure on you for the next two books? Does writing feel different now that you are going to be published?

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  7. At this point I'd probably settle for someone who will sell my books, but I'd PREFER someone who cares about me and my career. You are so entirely blessed!

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  8. I'd rather go for the long-term career publisher. Whew. I'm jittery just thinking about your experience! Wow. Thanks so much for sharing. This is stuff I haven't read before. :-)

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  9. It's kind of like a marriage, is it not? This whole process is a huge undertaking, a partnership of sorts. Longterm is best.

    Here's to many happy years ahead.

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  10. Someone just willing to sell my books.

    Stop it! You know I'm kidding...just wanting to see if you were paying attention. :D

    I'm in this for the long haul and I'd hope my editor/agent would be too.

    ~ Wendy

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  11. Jody: How grateful my heart is that you are posting every step along your path, to make us feel like we are part of it. I'm touched to tears, both of joy for you and of gratitude to our loving Father for His favor in your life.

    May your books touch many lives for Jesus and His kingdom.

    I think it's important to have an editor that is interested in you as a person and your overall career, not just selling books.

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  12. Having involved editors and publisher seems paramount, to the benefit of all involved. Though writing sometimes seems like a solitary art, it really isn't. What a great team you are on!

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  13. Jill & Heather:

    I think I will plan on using my freelance editor still. She acts more like a critique partner and beta reader for me! So, she can catch the flaws and minor issues so that perhaps I'll have less work to do later on during the in-house editing! But part of my decision will rest on whether I actually have the time to send my manuscript out. I hope I do because I really loved the feedback! Thanks for asking! :)

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  14. Tabitha,

    In answer to your question: does writing feel different? My short answer is: that's an excellent question and I will have to do a blog post about it! Thanks for that idea!! :)

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  15. It sounds like you are very blessed and God is giving you everything you need to complete this the way it should be done. :O)

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  16. Definitely one like you have, Jody! That's so awesome to hear. God is blessing you big time, girl!

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  17. Hi Jody!

    Great blog! I'm sure that your story is helpful to many aspiring writers. Thanks for sharing it.

    It was great to meet you at ACFW, and I look forward to seeing you around at more Wordserve gatherings. :-)

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  18. How cool! I think it would be fantastic to find an editor who is interested in your future career... having both an agent AND editors on your side who believe in you and your work? What more could a girl ask for?

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  19. it's definitely a plus that they are thinking long-term! incredible that this is your life now, huh? :) an inspiration to us all....which is why i left you a blog award on my blog today. enjoy!

    jeannie
    Where Romance Meets Therapy

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  20. Wow. I'm fascinated by this process. It's a bit like writing by committee. Good thing I have no problem taking suggestions. I'm so glad you really like him and that they are invested in you for the long haul. It must feel surreal to have that level of achievement.

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  21. I would think having one who would help guide your career would be of great value. Congratulations on finding one that does.

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  22. Wow, Jody. I'd say you were blessed to have such a wonderful start to your publishing career. Career is what I'm interested in too.

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  23. I would have spazzed out if I'd picked up the phone and it was a friend instead of the editor! How nerve-wracking! I'm glad it went well. And yes, I'm looking to build a career, not just a book.

    Have a great weekend!

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  24. In the vastness of the publishing world it's wonderful to find people who make you feel like you count as an individual. I pray your relationship with Bethany House will be long and prosperous! And yes, I'd prefer a career building approach over a quick sale.

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  25. Awesome Jody! I'm so happy that you already feel at ease with your publisher and editor - sounds like the beginnings of a beautiful relationship!

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  26. every experience, good or bad, prepares us for the next. i love how you face your victories with such candor and grace. i am so so happy for you! :)

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  27. Wow what an exciting phone call! I think being with a publisher who cares about helping you develop a career is the best possible scenario, and it sounds like you are learning so much from them too!

    Thanks, as always, for sharing!

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  28. Hi Jody -

    This morning, I found myself thinking about you and several others, who are in a new phase. I wondered how different things were now and if there was a big adjustment.

    I'm looking forward to your post on the subject.

    Blessings,
    Susan :)

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  29. Editing is HUGE! I love, love, love all three of my editors, even when, or especially when they are tough on my work. They want what I want, the best product possible. They encourage me to stretch farther, dig deeper, and dream higher than I thought I could.

    Congrats on finding and editing team you believe in!

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  30. That's great that you found an editor that makes you feel comfortable. Good luck with developing those ideas for book two and three.

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  31. Jody, without a doubt, one of the biggest thrills for me after I received my contracts was working with editors to flesh out the works to make them the very best they could be. I am so glad you've been offered the chance to be part of this process. It's exhilarating! Go forward with confidence. I think our biggest hurdle is one you also mentioned -- keeping the house quiet when those important phone calls come in. Yikes! That's always my biggest concern when business takes place at home and kids are about. You'll do great. Looking forward to hearing more about the process as you move along.

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  32. It is so great you are having such a positive and wonderful experience with your publisher and editors.

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  33. Sounds like you hit the jackpot. How fortunate that you found an editor who is so easy to work with. I'm so pleased for you.

    Oh, course, it would be fantastic to have someone care about your future career!

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  34. I think it would be wonderful to have an editor to do both!

    I wouldn't say that I *don't* have that, but I'd say that my editors are so busy that I'm kinda solo a lot.

    Elizabeth
    Mystery Writing is Murder

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  35. Having a publisher in your corner when it comes to selling books & working with you on your long term writing career seems like the best of both worlds! :)

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  36. Jody,
    Thank you so much for sharing these invaluable posts with all of us. I know I will come back again and again to them and point others here. Not many want to share as you have and it is so nice that you do. It helps us with realistic expectations:)

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