Soul Mate Publishing Acquisitions Editor: Janet Clementz

Janet Clementz is an Acquisitions Editor with Soul Mate Publishing. Janet earned a Bachelor of Science in Education from Black Hills State College, and Post Baccalaureate hours in English Literature from the University of Houston.  She and her native Texan hubby, kiddingly nicknamed Captain Bulldog, reside in far northwest Houston. She loves to read, write, spend time with family and friends, and takes long walks to work off stress…and the occasional dessert. She belongs to several writing groups and has been a member of RWA since 1995. She's an award winning author, published under the pseudonym, Jaye Garland.
http://jayegarland.com/Author Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JayeGarlandAuthorEditor Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Janet.Clementz.Garza
1.     Tell us how you came to work with Soul Mate Publishing.Oh, I love telling this story! I first met Debby Gilbert, founder and senior editor of Soul Mate Publishing, through my critique partner, Janet Nash, who was a 2012 Golden Heart finalist. By the time Jan and I arrived in Anaheim for the annual RWA conference, she had made her decision to sign with SMP. As Jan’s roommate, (yeah, we’re the two Jan’s) I was fortunate to visit with Debby and quite a few SMP authors—and played group photographer, snapping pictures while they met for coffee. Later that afternoon, Debby texted Jan and invited me to join the group for dinner that night as she didn’t want me to be sitting in my room, all alone. What a considerate thing to do! That simple act made a huge impression on me. Well….A few months later, Debby attended my local chapter’s annual conference. Getting a book published just wasn’t the right time for me, even though my book was polished and ready to go. (Life events, too boring to mention here.) Instead of actually pitching, I figured I’d just go in and chat with the lady I’d grown to admire so much. Surely, I wasn’t going to pitch to her, but what could it hurt to discuss the publishing industry? I left the appointment twenty minutes later with a request for the full manuscript—which I swear I didn’t pitch—and a contract two weeks after that. Several months after my book was published, Debby was looking for more editors. I didn’t even finish reading her monthly update because I was already typing my response, “Pick me, pick me! Hands waving wildly in the air.” Debby sent me several manuscripts which I edited as an intern. Once I retired from the day job in January 2014, I was able to go full time as an acquiring editor—and I’m absolutely thrilled to be a part of the SMP team.    
2.     What does your job entail? Very simply, I read and edit—a lot. I read submissions, offer contracts, write letters declining manuscripts, write Revise and Resubmit letters, act as final round judge in contests, and work closely with my clients as we go through the editing process.  
3.     What do you enjoy most about being an acquisitions editor? I get to make The Call. Yes, whenever possible, I pick up the phone and call the author when I’m offering a contract to a potential client. I know how great it felt to get The Call when my manuscript entry was a finalist. I’ve also made that call as a category coordinator for my chapter contest and get teary-eyed just thinking about those awesome chats. Great relationships between authors and editors are built, and what better way to start than with a phone call? Of course, I always follow up with an email detailing what we’d discussed.     
4.     What have your experiences been like working with the authors?In a word, spectacular! Every author I’ve been fortunate to work with has been eager to make their manuscripts the very best they can be. They’re open to suggestions, sometimes reacting with palm-to-face yet grinning with enthusiasm to fix those tiny yet elusive bloopers we all miss, because as authors, we’ve been so entrenched in the story we miss stuff. It happens. Having been on both sides of the fence, I can honestly say that it’s almost as exciting to see my client’s work get published as it is for them.    
5.     What is the hardest part of being an acquisitions editor?Having to write the letter declining a manuscript. There’s no easy way to do that. Every one of those rejections hurts me.
6.     And what is the best part?Release Day for each of my clients, of course, but before that it’s seeing what an awesome job the author has done during the edit process. When I find bits and pieces of great writing in a manuscript (I call these Jewels) I make sure to let the author know. Editing isn’t just about deconstructing and revising. It’s a process of learning what works and what doesn’t. It’s a true team effort. I’m open to the author’s vision, but if her vision isn’t on the page, I help the author to make that happen.   
7.     What kind of manuscripts do you enjoy and are looking for, and how can an author submit to you?Historical romances (any time period, any location) have always been my favorite, but regardless of the romance subgenre, it’s all about the characters and the trouble they get into. I’d love some WWI or WWII, Western, or Women’s Fiction Romance. Tease me with Suspense, Action, and/or Adventure and I’m all in. Submit directly to me at Janet@SoulMatePublishing.com. I prefer a cover letter with a short synopsis (3-5 pages) and the first few chapters (approximately 30 pages) ending with a story hook. If you’re one of my existing clients, then send the full manuscript along with a short back cover blurb.  
8.     Last question: if you were suddenly struck by lightning/bitten by something/exposed to toxic waste, and ended up with super powers, what would it be and why?Hmmm! It’s gotta be flight. To soar into the clouds and drift like an eagle would be so cool, and I’d totally shrug at the traffic below. Imagine being able to control take off, flight, and landing—whenever you wanted or needed. What a thrill! But, can I pass on how I gain these powers? All the options you’ve mentioned would really hurt. LOL!
Blurb: THE 25th HOUR by Jaye GarlandWith one stroke of her architect’s eraser, a 21st century heiress is chased through time by her father’s murderer, landing in the arms of a widowed 19th century Wyoming rancher. He’s convinced she’s a charlatan, but his precocious child already claimed the transient as her new mother.  When someone sinister threatens, lives hang in the balance, and they must defeat the killer before the rift in time closes, separating the timeless lovers, forever.  The 25th Hour by Jaye GarlandBuy Link: http://amzn.com/B00ETJCKZG