Resources

    Here I would like to share some information you might find helpful, whether you are on your first book or your fiftieth. First is an article I wrote when I was Editorial Director at Hay House, which I think is useful whether you have a publisher or not. If you are a new author or thinking of self-publishing and are not sure where to start, the links below lead to some excellent resources. 

    No matter what changes may come to the publishing world, one thing will always remain: a strong author-editor bond is crucial. The relationship you have with your editor will be reflected in the material, and readers will respond in kind.

    Of course if you are on your first book, you haven’t had a chance to forge a bond with your editor yet. While we treat all writers the same—that is, with a fair, neutral, and constructive eye—you can get off on the best foot possible by doing the following:

    1. Turn in a good manuscript. When writers send their publisher a rough first draft, they aren’t getting the most out of the author-editor relationship. It is not our job to “fix” or even rewrite books; rather, when they come to us in good shape, it liberates us to really help make them shine. Also, keep in mind that many successful authors hire outside editors to help them with structure and organization or to even refine their message and strengthen their writing. We recommend that you do the same. Working with a professional who can give you an unbiased opinion is highly valuable and can help you craft an excellent manuscript before it comes to your publisher. The better shape your manuscript is in from the start, the faster the process moves toward publication.

    2. Ask questions and trust our experience. Having clear expectations and a general idea of what the editorial process involves will save you time and a lot of effort redoing things down the road. Unsure of something or need an example (say, of what a synopsis looks like)? Ask us—answering questions is part of our job. 

    We find it very gratifying when a new author appreciates and defers to our expertise in publishing. The truth is, we have accumulated years in the business, working on hundreds of books that went on to be very successful, and figuring what works best (and ultimately sells best)—not to mention we’ve spent many thousands of hours parsing sentences in the English language. So please take our word for it when we recommend a revision or make a grammatical correction. (We very much dislike it when an author counters a suggestion from us by mentioning that their friend who read the manuscript disagrees. Friends of authors are not editors—we are impartial and paid to do the best job possible!)

    3. Know that honesty is always the best policy. Speak up right away if you’re unhappy about edits in your manuscript, but do be open to feedback. Remember that an editor’s main goal is to help make your book the best it can be. We aren’t trying to impose our voice upon you or attempting to change your message. We’re on your side and want your book to be a success! And if you can’t meet a deadline, don’t hide or avoid us—just 'fess up. We’re human, too.

    If you can follow these three easy steps, you’ll have an editor who loves you—and sales reflecting that lots of readers do, too! 

Writer's Market (external link)

Agent Query - Free Database of Literary Agents (external link)

Balboa Press - Self Publishing Division of Hay House, Inc (external link)

"No Clear Readership, No Clear Sales" by Jane Friedman, BookLife from Publishers Weekly (external link)