Old Dogs CAN Learn!

Okay, I've been editing for over 30 years, so you'd think there wasn't a lot left for me to learn. But today I've having a whole new experience: Editing on Skype.

The author I'm working with is Chris Heuertz, who has written a book on true community. His is a unique and challenging voice, and I can't wait to see what readers think of his book. But what's especially fun for me, is we're doing a Skype edit. So even as I type this, Chris is in a little screen on my monitor, and I can hear every moan and see every shake of his head.  And he, poor soul, has me parked in a little box on his monitor. As he has questions, he just asks them. As I need clarification while editing, I ask him. And if we disagree, we can debate to our hearts' content. 

It's been great! It's like being with him in person, but without the cost of a plane ticket or the stress of travel. Very cool. And the dialogue throughout the process has helped us both.

What's even more fun for me, Chris has been at a friend's house for the last hour or so to work, and his friend's German shorthaired pointer, Strider, is talking up a storm. With every doggie sound, my Corgi, who is on his pillow at my feet, perks up. So not only am I moving into a brave new technological world, but so is my dog.

It doesn't get better than this!

Peace--and new adventures--to you all!

Karen

A Peek into The Editor's Mind

While I was at the Northwest Christian Writers' Renewal a week ago or so, I was struck, as I always am when in the company of writers, by the power of the right word used in the right way. On the first day of the conference, I had group meetings with the writers. This is where a group of writers come in, sit at a table together, and each takes a turn pitching his/her book to me to see if B & H Publishing Group would be interested in considering it for publication. I had six groups, each lasting a half hour, each with anywhere from 5-7 people each. So folks had a total of 3-5 minutes to engage me in their project.

How's that for pressure?

The cool thing is, a good number of those who came had such a strong understanding of their project, and of the market, that they were able to hook me in the first few words. Now that's doing your homework! For example, one woman told me right off the bat her book was romantic suspense, what the main story line was (in a sentence), and what the conflict and spiritual takeaway were. That took about 45 seconds of her 4 minutes, so from there I asked questions about the story and focus and she was able to relax and just talk. I ended up asking her to send me the proposal. Don't know if we'll pursue it--the writing is what tips the scales, of course. But I was impressed with her well chosen descriptions. And if I'm considering two manuscripts and all things are basically equal, I'll always go with an author who is, first and foremost, teachable, and then able to communicate the heart and soul of her story quickly and effectively.

So if you're a writer, spend some time thinking about the following:

What's the main theme (or themes) addressed in my story.
What's the nonfiction hook I could use to stir interest in media outlest (e.g. radio, where they generally don't have a clue what to do with novelists)
What genre is my book? Are there any best-sellers or movies that I can compare my book to that will position it quickly for ________ (fill in the blank. E.g., editor, reader, marketer, interviewer, retailer, reviewer)? For example, my book is Die Hard, Live Free meets Nancy Drew. (Okay, not a perfect example, but you get what I mean.)
Can I describe my book in:
* one sentence
*25 words
*50 words
*200 words
(At different stages in the process of seeking publication, you'll need to be able to do all of the above!)

That's enough to get you started. So hey, go for it! And if you want to try and pitch something to me here as a test, feel free. I'll let you know what I think.

Peace to you today.

Karen

The Best Job in the World!

I love my job.

No, I mean it. I LOVE my job.

I get to spend all day, every work day, immersed in stories. Or talking and brainstorming with the authors I acquire and edit. And then there are weeks--like this week, for example--where I get to spend day after day with fellow editors and my authors.

I live in Southern Oregon, but my company, B&H Publishing Group, is located in Nashville, Tennessee. If you have to go someplace four to five times a year, Nashville's pretty cool. Not only do you get to say things like "y'all" without anyone thinking you're weird, you have all kinds of things to do when you're done with the work day.

So I flew in last Sunday in preparation for our quarterly sales conference on Tuesday. Tuesday dawned bright and early as I maneuvered snarled traffice (okay, Nashville does have a few downsides). But I didn't mind. I don't have to face it very often, and what lay at the end of my traffic trials was a day steeped in the power of words! Sure enough, when I got to the office, two of our newest novelists, Tracy Higley and Pamela Binnings Ewen, were there waiting. Joined with them and my boss, David Webb, we pitched their upcoming books (along with two others: Coming Unglued by Rebeca Seitz--a wonderful bit of Southern fiction that celebrates sisterhood and scrapbooking--and a suspense novel by David Aikmann). The reception was grand--fiction at B&H is up and coming--and the fellowship after the presentation was even more so. We heard from the salesmen how our novels are touching readers' and retailers' lives. By the end of the day, as I was again facing Nashville traffic, I could only sit and wonder at the blessing of my job. Reading, writing, partner with others who love the power of words...as my 17-year-old niece loved to say a few years ago: It's all good.

More than that, it's all wondrous. To work with words, to refine stories so they reach their full potential, to join the Master Creator in using the Word to breathe life into a world that's hurting and so terribly lost...

There's nothing I'd rather do. Novelist. Editor. Mentor. Three of my favorite words. And, by God's grace, three facets of my life. All of which show me, over and over, the power contained in our words, be they written or spoken. So let us write and speak them with thought and care. For my friends, they are a force in our lives and the lives of those we encounter.

Blessings to you today.

Karen