I’m Not Too Blind to See

I had my first post-Covid lunch date with an editor yesterday. I was rusty, I admit it. Plus, I will also admit that the older I get the more irrelevant I feel even if i am a badass or am a former badass or whatever. When I was a young editor, I HATED having lunch dates with agents. They were all so fucking sure of themselves. Established. Had all this insider knowledge and summer homes and kids in boarding schools and designer tote bags. And I’d be in my little Anne Taylor suit just trying to pretend I knew who or what they were talking about. I remember listening so hard and pretending to be empathic. The whole point is to get them to send you their projects. One of the more powerful agents sent me something I really liked but the editor in chief made me turn it down. When I told her I couldn’t make an offer, she said, “Well, you obviously don’t have any power over there.” LOL you go that right. I’m just a turd with an expense account. And then, Alice, I became an agent. Here I am. Blinkety blankety boo. The young editor I met yesterday was LOVELY. Smart, funny, discerning, spoke about books in an original and fresh way. None of this “I’m looking for bestsellers” nonsense.

Describe your ideal editor.