The Editor's Eye

Introduction: A Book to Help You Write Yours

By Stacy Ennis

::: INTRODUCTION ::: A Book to Help You Write Yours

The Inspiration

A while ago, I was scheduled to talk to a group of writers at the Idaho Book Extravaganza, a regional gathering of people in thepublishing industry, including many aspiring authors working toward the dream of publishing a book. As I set up for the session,“Write Your Best Book: The Writing and Editing Process,” I remember looking out at the large, empty room and thinking there were too many seats to be filled. After all, my session was the first slot of the entire conference (and an early one at that), and there were three other classes taking place at the same time—one put on by a best-selling fiction author, another by a successful CEO of a social media firm, and one by a sought-after memoir writing coach.

With those choices, who would be interested in editing? Writers usually take classes on writing; editing is an afterthought and a dreaded one at that. But, as I finished setting up, I was surprised to see that the tables were nearly full. By the time I was ready to introduce myself, the room was packed. People sat shoulder to shoulder with their notepads ready and pens poised, eager to learn. The class went wonderfully, and the audience was engaged, inquisitive, and genuinely interested in everything I shared with them. There were a lot of questions about the types of editing out there and how to hire and work with an editor, and some people even voiced their concerns and fears about the editing process. The conversations I had afterward reinforced connections I’d already made through my experiences as an editor and led me to several realizations.

When it comes to what writers generally know about editing and how it relates to the writing process, there are three things I’ve observed:

#1 Most writers don’t know much about the book-editing process.

Over the years, I’ve worked with a wide range of authors across a variety of fiction and nonfiction genres, helping each one through different stages of the writing process. Each time, I’ve been surprised to learn that most authors have a limited understanding of the editing process. Most of the time, they see editing as a vague, unpleasant, and slightly mysterious step that happens along the way.

#2 Most writers don’t realize that editing is an integral part of writing.

When I ran a high school English program in the Dominican Republic, I had the opportunity to see students work on their compositions through waves of revisions. It was from teaching and editing that I began to understand the greater nuances of writing and the critical role editing plays in the evolution of an idea, an image, those first words on paper—into a finished, coherent piece.

Later, when I was the managing editor of a local magazine in Boise, Idaho, which I helped found, many of the writers I worked with didn’t really understand the necessity of self-editing when writing their articles. I often encountered disconnects between what the writers wanted to write (or were assigned) and the final articles they sent me. In essence, they had trouble evaluating their own work. Furthermore, many saw editing as something separate from the writing process. In the course of managing the magazine, I also started noticing some similarities between book and magazine editing—things that all writers can do, no matter the medium, to streamline the writing process and make editing a part of the creative process.

#3 Most writers really do want to learn more about editing.

The moment I began my talk in front of that crowded room at the Idaho Book Extravaganza, I knew there was an unaddressed need among writers to learn about editing. I also recognized that the drive among writers to improve their craft and write their best books could only be realized through mastering the art of self-editing and taking advantage of professional editing.

So, this is where my book can make a difference: It addresses those three concerns and explains how editing can help you write a better book. And not just a good book—a great one.

How to Use This Book

Whether you’re an already published author who wants to better understand the editing process, a would-be author considering self-publishing or pursuing the traditional publishing route, or a writer who just wants a better grasp on refining your own work, this book is for you. The Editor’s Eye is your in-depth introduction to the self-editing and professional editing processes. You’ll learn how to transform the way you write, gain insight into how to hire and work with editors, and master each stage of the book-editing process. Everything you need to know to get your book into best-selling shape is in this book.

Each chapter touches on an important part of the editing process. Chapter 1 starts by debunking all of the old myths about book editing and gives you the truth about the editing process, including the idea of “killing your darlings” and more. Chapter 2 covers editing fundamentals, including a detailed look at the four stages of editing and important terminology you should know.

Chapters 3 and 4 take a fresh look at the entire writing process from planning to publication—from an editor’s point of view. You’ll learn how integrating editing into your writing early on can dramatically improve your drafts right from the moment you add words to a blank page.

Chapter 5 details how to hire and work with an editor, including important questions to ask prospective editors; it also gets very specific on what you can expect to pay, how to work with an editor in another city, and other essential information about working collaboratively and productively with your editor. I draw from my experience working across distances to help you understand how to work digitally and why it’s not so hard. In fact, the first book I edited was for a client in Boise, Idaho, and I edited it from my apartment in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. If I can do that, you candefinitely work with an editor in a different U.S. city, and I’ll show you how.

But, perhaps most importantly, each chapter in this book is as practical and hands-on as possible, with real examples of tools, tips, and strategies you can actually use as you write your book. You’ll also get templates for outlines, examples of how editors can improve your writing, and samples of a reader feedback form, an editing checklist, an agreement letter, and a manuscript style guide.

While my experiences inspired me to share my expertise with you, I didn’t stop there: I interviewed 20 industry leaders in publishing, including editors, owners of publishing houses, and authors. Full interviews are included throughout, too, from several important names: ghostwriter, coauthor, and book doctor Tim Vandehey; independent writer, editor, and author Christy Karras; commercial freelancer, business coach, and author of three award-winning books, including The Well-Fed Self-Publisher, Peter Bowerman; freelance writer and author of My So-Called Freelance Life, Michelle Goodman; and number one international best-selling fiction author Vincent Zandri. These are people who really know their stuff and have a following because of it, and many of them also happen to be my colleagues, people I’d trust with my own work. If you’d like a list of all the people interviewed, please see the Acknowledgments at the back of this book.

There are several ways to use this book, and it’s designed for authors at many stages. If you’re new to book writing and editing, you should read this book cover to cover, especially the section on the writing process and self-editing. If you’re reading this book with a completed manuscript sitting next to you, it might be a good idea to skip the sections on self-editing for now (Chapters 3 and 4) and instead focus on hiring and working with editors (Chapter 5). Whatever your situation, The Editor’s Eye will be an invaluable part of your book-writing process.

But this book isn’t really about me or the experts I interviewed—this book is ultimately about you. It’s about helping you get to where you want to be, whether it’s starting or finishing a book, taking control of a draft that keeps escaping your grasp, or another equally important goal. It’s about helping you reach your dreams and enjoy the process of writing and refining your book. Because, as I’ll show you over the next few chapters, editing can be just as enjoyable as writing.

Let’s get started.

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[TO BE CONTINUED... Visit www.nightowlspress.com/e-book-store/the-editors-eye/ for more details about The Editor's Eye. Buy the complete book at Night Owls Press and at most online retailers.]