I am thrilled to have Wild Rose Press Senior Editor, Lori Graham on Pen to Paper today.  She has a wealth of knowledge to give to aspiring authors.  So, Lori let’s get started. 

First, tell you something about yourself –

I am currently living in Nebraska, although my husband’s job has taken us to various states throughout his career.  I share our home with my husband of 26 years and my daughter, 16, not to mention a dog named Rascal (really fits) and a cat who was raised by that dog.  We also have two sons who are in college.  I enjoy my family and various other community pursuits but reading is my passion.  I would be truly happy to sit and read book after book.  J

What inspired you to become an editor?

  I would love to write more but I have discovered that I am much better suited to help others polish their works.  I love working with new authors, in particular, and the joy they receive when you can finally offer them their first contract.

What line of books are you editor for? 

 I am the senior editor of the Crimson Rose division of The Wild Rose Press where I work with a staff of five other editors.  Suspense is my great joy in genres but I also edit for White Rose Press which is an inspirational line.  Editing for both of these may seem a bit strange but what I love about it is that doing one keeps me fresh for the other.  My mind also loves the diversity of genres and keeps me from getting too stale.

In your tenure of being an editor, what is most challenging? 

 The most challenging thing, I think, for any editor is rejections.  Now, don’t get me wrong, I am human and there are some that are easier to reject than others.  But on the whole, rejections are just plain tough.  At Wild Rose Press, we don’t use any form letters which means that every rejection is personalized.  I know every manuscript represents hours of blood, sweat and tears for an author and they have come to care about the characters they created.  Because of that, responses are not taken lightly.  Along with the other editors at TWRP, I want to offer constructive information to the authors so they know why they are being rejected.  I wish I could offer every manuscript that came through a contract but that just isn’t realistic.  So, the next best thing is for me to offer some information which could help that dream to happen and to offer that opinion with honesty and care. 

How long have you been an editor with The Wild Rose Press?

  Wild Rose celebrated its third anniversary this last May.  I celebrated my third year with them in October.  It has been a grand ride and a journey I am thrilled to be on.  This company offers some really great options for authors which is refreshing.  I am often asked “Why Wild Rose Press” and I can honestly say because of the great people who tend the garden.  It starts at the top with Rhonda Penders and RJ Morris who started the company.  They wanted to create a place where authors were treated with kindness and respect and they have done that.  The editors are superb, production is incredibly detailed and the cover artists are second to none.  It is truly a great place to work.

If a person is interested in becoming an editor, would they need a degree or any special training? 

This question is a little more difficult to answer.  Each of our editors comes with a little bit different background.  As far as the editing itself, having taken classes in grammar, English comp and various other college courses is really a help.  So for the technical side, yes, you will want to check this out.  Each publishing house is going to ask for something a bit different.  As far as acquiring new works, this area is a bit tougher.  I don’t know of any class that can “teach” you to know whether or not something is a good manuscript.  You can have a work that is flawless as far as grammar, punctuation, spelling, etc. and it will still never sell a single copy.  This is really a gut thing that you have to develop or are born with.  Study the markets.  Read, read and read.  I don’t know of any fast or perfect way to learn this part of the business. 

As an editor, what advice would you give to an aspiring author? 

Much the same as someone wanting to be an editor.  Read, read, and read.  Find a genre that you feel passionate about; one that if someone says romantic suspense, you smile a little because you know you’ll be reading it.  Then once you know what you want to write, write.  And keep writing.  You can take a grammar class at the local college, if you want.  You could sure buy a self-editing book.  But in the end, write.  Have a critique group to bounce ideas off of and let them read your work and give you honest feedback.  But when you do, be ready for their honesty. 

When submitting a manuscript what are key things you look for? 

 This may sound strange but one of the first things I look for is whether or not the author followed the instructions on our submission page.  I know that probably sounds a bit harsh but that tells me a bit about how easy they will be to work with if I can offer them a contract.  J  As far as the story itself, I look for an author who has control of the manuscript.  Do their characters have depth and are they someone I would want to know?  Did they do their research (especially on suspense books if they are dealing with specialized topics)?  Do they show me the story so that I can engage with it?  Anyway, these are just a few of the questions that run through my mind as I read the manuscript.  When it comes to plot, in my mind, this is wide open.  Fads may come and go but generally by the time an author sees a fad and writes for the fad and the publishing company produces it, the fad has passed.  So quality wins every time.

In your opinion, how does an editor determine what genre they are going to edit? 

 The best thing for an editor is to edit something they feel passionate about or have some knowledge of.  For example, as a Christian, I am very comfortable editing inspirational novels but that might make me uncomfortable with some of the paranormal manuscripts.  I come from a family background involving medicine and police departments so editing suspense comes rather easy (not to mention I love reading it).   If an editor is going to work with historical, they have to have a good handle on the time period they are editing or be prepared to do a lot of research.  Now, asking me to edit a historical novel, would be a big mistake.  Just ask my past history teachers.  J

As an editor where do you see yourself in 5 Years? 

 You know it is funny, when I started with Wild Rose, not only did the company have a five year plan but so did I.  Here we are three years later and those plans have been passed.  So, I really am rethinking a number of areas right now and making bigger plans.  Bottom line though is that I love Wild Rose and see myself here far into the future. 

Well, Lori I really appreciate you giving us a little of your precious time.  It really means alot to writers when an editor is willing to help

Hope to have you here again soon

Melinda

Lori