Author-editor relationship

It should be a love relationship shouldn't it? What happens if it isn't?

Enlighten us with your comments, guys

It should be a professional relationship. The job of editors is to produce a polished manuscript to publishing standards. Light editing (spelling and grammar check) will not do this. An author may love the final, polished work but not the process of achieving that end.

Thank you, Shelagh. Very well put indeed...

What would u say when that relationship breaks down for reasons not connected with development of the book? Say for external reasons which somehow relate to the author and the editor as persons but whcih do not relate to them as professionals?

That makes their relationship unprofessional, would u say?

How would a sensible author/editor deal with such break down?

My publisher provides the editor and the entire process is strictly about the novel. The finished novel was improved considerably by her input though I did not agree with all the recommendations. Funny how I can't even remember the changes I did not like as bits during the process. They contributed to the best final product two minds could complete. Cutting from the text is painful to me since I agonize over every word. Again, when the novel is published, I don't miss the cut parts at all.

The message here: During the edit process it all seems so important, every single work; but the reality is that the final product sales is the real test of an editor. Mine has an A plus.

Stella Whatnat wrote:

Thank you, Shelagh. Very well put indeed...

What would u say when that relationship breaks down for reasons not connected with development of the book? Say for external reasons which somehow relate to the author and the editor as persons but whcih do not relate to them as professionals?

That makes their relationship unprofessional, would u say?

How would a sensible author/editor deal with such break down?

Do you mean the way that husband and wife and driving lessons don't mix?

Well more like two ppl who were once on friendly terms and now are not.

And this could potentially affect the publishing process (ie things taking longer to materialise than otherwise would have). It's also a matter of trust.



What would an experienced author do in such a case?

Find another editor. If you are not on friendly terms with your editor, it is unlikely that you will be receptive to following the editor's advice.

I agree with Shelagh. Either you trust/respect the editor or you don't. And if you don't you will second-guess whatever the outcome.

If the editor is a professional editor and you are a professional writer, you should be able to work together. But you both have to keep the personal element out of it. Don't review an editor's corrections and suggestions in light of unrelated differences. And the editor should do the same. That's why they invented the white flag.

I've been very lucky with editors to date, nothing but love. Stet always beats a blue pencil were that to change. But for those with a rocky editorial relationship, self publishing a book or two without an editor will rekindle the flame quicker than Nepalm squirted on glowing embers.

An editor can often be terribly irritating - but that is just part of the deal. We are not required to like the person, just to get that book out there.
Catherine Broughton

The editor for L&L Dreamspell was exceptional. She had just the right suggestions to make my voice even more mine with the extra touch and without the words that were not needed. At one time she had a side business as a "book doctor."

There should be respect, trust, love and very professional. Editor furnish writers scratch anyways eg: proper arrangement, grammatical, checking spelling if any finally fine tune to publish.