Editors on Editing

Editors on Editing: What Writers Need to Know about What Editors Do.
Ed. Gerald Gross
New York: Grove Press. Third Edition. 1962, 1985 and 1993.

Theme of the book: Editing is a high-wire-without-a-net exercise in delicacy and diplomacy.

What does an editor do?
The editor identifies authors, negotiates with agents, recognizes the strengths and weaknesses of texts, guides manuscripts through the politics of publishing and oversees their passage into the marketplace. Mark Aronson.

What is the process of editing?
ML Schuster: Master the art of skimming, skipping, scanning and sampling; will need to learn when you must read every single line, every single word. Read with a pencil; note revisions and corrections, ideas for promotion and advertising. Master the art of reducing to a short sentence or two the basic theme or impact of a book; need to put the essence of the book on the back of a visiting card. Would you buy this book if it were published by some other firm?

R. Curtis: The responsibility for well-edited books is shifting to the author.

JO Wade: Editor is neither author nor collaborator but rather the reader's advocate; offer opinions, not orders.

R Marek: When I'm asked as an editor what I'm looking for, I say "Something I haven't seen before." What is the test for pace? After I finish one page, do I want to read the next?

BV Fetterman: Preserve author's natural voice; seek author's approval for each change.

S Silva: Suggest possible rewordings. If you're too familiar with the manuscript, you are less likely to spot typos.

ML Waxman: Editing is not rewriting. If you are confused, distracted or let down, it is likely that other readers may also be. Edit the first chapter and return to author to see how much editing the author is open to. Submit substantial revisions on a separate sheet of paper. Substitute smooth phrasing for awkward language. Don't use expressions like "confusing: please clarify" without suggesting a clarification or reasons for its being confusing.

Perkins: An editor does not add to a book.

JK Paine: Continually state what you like about a book and sound like a helper. Correct first instance of passive construction, etc., with explanation and then point out additional instances of passive constructions. Even if reading fiction, I want to learn something about the field of law, Wall Street, etc., that form the background of the plot.

M Donneny: Editor's politics, opinions and prejudices have no place in editing process.

J Isay: Urge writer to insert headings to help both the writer and the reader in following a scholarly work.

F Sales: I don't prescribe revision; locate troubles and, if invited, participate in finding cures.

What should go into a query letter or book proposal?
J von Mehren: No typos or mistakes. Neatness counts. Specific editor's name. In one to five pages pique editor's curiosity so that you are asked to provide more material. Book proposal: concept; marketing; competition and how your book differs; audience; table of contents; number of pages, research, author bio and sample chapters.

How organize self-help books?
T Burbank: Identification of the problem, interpretation and exploration of its roots, and the solution.