Writing Excuses Transcripts

Writing Excuses Season Four Episode Eight: Working with Editors

From http://www.writingexcuses.com/2010/02/28/writing-excuses-4-8-working-with-editors/

Key points: New authors worry about editors demanding cuts that threaten artistic integrity, or being asked to add in sex and violence. However, editors buy a book because they like it, not to fix it. They usually tell you before buying what their vision of the book is, and you don't have to agree. They may suggest that you've established a certain type of book, and that you cut or add things to match that. Relationships with editors are a dialogue, where you can talk it through. Publishing houses and editors will ask for changes. Your job is to think about them and decide whether or not to do them. Look for an editor with a vision that is consistent with yours. Talk to the editor before you sign the contract about what you are willing to sacrifice, what you're willing to cut or add to get published. BUT don't worry too much about this. Editors buy books because they like them, because they agree with the vision of the book -- not to torture writers. Consider it, plan on working with an editor, and write.
( Undoing the clean rating... )
[Brandon] All right. Can we have a writing prompt? Let's have you write a story about a time where an author and editor disagree about something that no one else would ever disagree about. This has been Writing Excuses. You're out of excuses, now go write.