Chopping, changing and other challenges…
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On Friday, to my delight, the new cover for my first Tuscan novel was released by Bookouture. As hackneyed as it sounds, this is a dream come true for me because I have a two-book contract with this amazing publishing company and the whole process has been a revelation.
To get to this point has been like taking a large piece of material and then measuring, cutting, fitting it over and over again until I produced a garment that looked good. But, instead of my standing in front of a mirror, asking myself if the sleeve was right, or the hem lopsided, whether the colour suited or the style was up to date, I had close guidance from a lovely editor. Ellen Gleeson has helped me through structural and line edits. An external copy editor has gone rigorously through the book and after the final proof read, publication has been set for June 26th. The book is now on pre-order for 99 pence.
I chatted to Ellen in between all this and enjoyed the informality (and it gave me a break from editing!)
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Ellen, how did you get into the job of editing?
My first job in publishing was a work experience placement in the audio department of HarperCollins. I then worked as an Editorial Assistant at Collins Learning, working on primary and secondary school material teaching materials, but I always knew I wanted to move to fiction: bringing the kind of books I love to read to as wide an audience as possible. After a couple of years away from publishing I joined Bookouture as a Publishing Assistant, and have since been promoted to Publishing Executive, which involves looking after my own authors. I love it!
With all the scrutiny you have to bring to books in your work, are you able to read now purely for entertainment, without mentally editing?
Yes! Of course every reader thinks critically about what they’re reading, it’s part of the process and part of the enjoyment. But I love reading as much as I always have.
What kind of books do you enjoy?
I love fantasy novels for the pure escapism and wildly imaginative worlds you can find yourself in. Epic historical stories, for seeing characters flung into situations you’d never be in, and the things you find out about the past and other places. Police procedural crime for pure grip factor. One of my favourite books of last year was The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle which combines a classic murder mystery story with an amazingly inventive high-concept twist.
What advice do you have for a new author thinking of writing a book? How do you think he/she should start?
Get going! Have a plan for your story structure, and write, write, write. Writers’ groups on Twitter are a great place to turn if you’re feeling alone or demotivated. Taking part in something like #NaNoWriMo can really spur you on and get those words on the page. Also, know what genre you’re writing in, and read successful books in that genre to get a sense of what’s working.
Do you have any hobbies?
I’m a member of SHE choir: a relaxed, collaborative choir for anyone who identifies as a woman. All the songs we do are arranged by members so anything goes: pop, R&B, folk… I absolutely love singing with this incredible bunch of women.
Tell us something we wouldn’t guess about you.
I once drunkenly got my eyebrow pierced on holiday. It looked awful, and when I got back my friends laughed at me so much that I took it out.
If you could invite three authors to an informal supper in your kitchen, who would they be?
Marian Keyes, for a good laugh round the table and hopefully some wise words about family and relationships. If I can bring him back, Terry Pratchett, an author I’ve loved since I was ten. His witty and whacky observations about the world would make for great conversation, by all accounts he was a wonderfully kind man and I would love to pick his brain about the Discworld. And you’ve got to be on the list Angela – despite working closely together for months, we’ve never properly met and that has to be remedied. And you can bring some delicious Italian food with you.
Aw, how lovely! You’re on, Ellen! I feel so lucky to be working with you. Your support is invaluable. I’ll start thinking up a menu!
Another very supportive, encouraging editor I have met on-line is Alan Spink from “The People’s Friend” women’s magazine. Over the last two years I have had a dozen or so short stories accepted. I know that’s not very many by other writers’ standards, but I’ve been submitting for many years without success. So I am delighted for the progress I’ve made so far.
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Writing short stories is obviously different from writing a novel, but the editing is equally as important. I enjoy the discipline and the challenge. Alan always points out ways I might improve a story that he can’t immediately accept and his advice is very welcome.
I chatted to Alan via the weekly writing hour that the magazine has each Tuesday morning at 11 o’clock. (Could all this chit-chat be defined as displacement activity? I don’t think so… it is so useful to have in my mind that there are real people in the industry; that we are not simply submitting our work to an impersonal address where mountains of slush piles teeter and fester, never to be read.)
On this regular forum we were asked, if we had the chance, whom would we like to interview on the magazine, and I suggested Alan. Lo and behold, he replied. Here are his answers to yours truly:
“In Fiction Tracey’s recent Writing Hour on Twitter, she was posed some questions for my good self. Never one to shirk a challenge, I said I’d be delighted to answer them. So lo and behold here are the Q&As, which I hope you’ll find fun and interesting.
How did you start working for “The People’s Friend”?
I have worked for DCT since 2004, having had no previous editorial experience. I first started working for our sister magazine, “My Weekly”, and I remember the Fiction Editor at the time, Liz Smith, saying my chatty covering letter helped me get the job.
After two years, the “Friend” beckoned, the magazine I am happy and proud to call home. To those who are applying, or thinking of applying, for future jobs – if you can bring your personality to the fore through a letter or interview, then like me, it might make all the difference in landing you that dream job.
Are you a writer yourself?
I love to write but, sadly, I don’t seem to find the time these days. I have written a few short stories for the magazine and, like most writers, I dream of writing “that” novel one day. To me, there is nothing better than locking the world outside and transporting yourself into a story world, letting characters express themselves through your imagination.
I so agree with that, Alan. We can do anything in this world that we create. Power!What are your favourite books?
Like my taste in music, my book reading is eclectic. I tend to favour historical novels for my fiction reading, and my non-fiction reading comprises of biographies and autobiographies. I’m also a bit of a stats fan, so almanacs of various description line my book shelf at home. My favourite classic novel would have to be “The Strange Case Of Doctor Jekyll And Mr Hyde” by Robert Louis Stevenson. I read that as a teenager and was instantly captivated by RLS’s gothic storytelling. More up to date, Markus Zusak’s “The Book Thief” is worthy of a page-turning mention.
And, thinking of the magazine, what is your favourite type of short story, and your least liked?
My favourite type of short story would have to be historical again. I think the imagination can accept elements of improbability with historical fiction. In some ways, the imagination demands it. It’s campfire storytelling, where heroes and heroines are brought alive through a world of timeworn mystique and endless possibilities. I’m not a fan of the crime genre. It seems to be all the rage, but that can often equate to stereotypical writing.
Describe working in a predominantly female squad?
Ha ha. No one day is the same. Will you settle for that? Seriously, though, it’s great. There are three guys who work in the “Friend”, and I think we’d all agree that we feel as part of our individual teams as we do the magazine. It’s true, sometimes the fiction ladies talk about fashion or favourite male celebs they have a crush on, but I do the guy-old thing of zoning out. Works like a charm!
Out of interest, what is the percentage of male to female PF writers?
Oh, that’s a good question. I’d say it’s about 5% of men who write fiction for us, regular and unsolicited manuscript writers included.
And, finally, can you give us your best tips for submissions?
There are three. One – read the magazine. Not just a single issue, but read it regularly so that you get a feel for the fiction that we publish. Secondly – don’t give up. I know of two writers of mine who spring to mind here, and both had multiple stories (easily double figures) rejected before they received their first story success. And one success was quickly followed by a second, and then a third . . . Three – stay true to your own storytelling voice. We are all unique, so let your personality shine through your writing.
Thank you, Angela Petch, for the questions.
You are more than welcome, Alan. It was fun and I am very grateful for your time.
Alan Spink
Alan is a member of the “Friend” Fiction Team. He enjoys working closely with writers and being part of the creative process which sees storytelling ideas come to fruition. A keen reader, he also writes fiction and enjoys watching football and movies in his spare time. His one aspiring tip to new writers is to “write from your imagination”.
If you would like to read the original interview and maybe read the regular newsletter from this long-standing magazine, then click here
I’ve enjoyed chatting with my editors and I hope you might derive some useful tips from the interviews.
Now, on with the editing!
