Dear Authors: We Need to Talk

Dear Authors: We Need to Talk

Dear Authors,

I’ve always been drawn toward individuals who are motivated to communicate their message and/or talent. You definitely fit in that category! I admire that you are courageous enough to share your work. Putting yourself out there is a big deal. I love that I have opportunities to support authors through this process and that I can build relationships with them.

But enough of the gushy stuff. We need to have a real talk about our relationship. You know—the author-editor one.

Relationships are complex interactions. There are trials and errors, tears and laughs, sorrows and joys. But I’m sharing my reflections on building successful author-editor relationships. The relationship between an author and an editor extends beyond a transaction. In reality, the two are united by the goal of creating a final product that is interesting, meaningful, and professional. Achieving that goal requires deliberate actions.

I’ve identified four key elements to a successful relationship with my authors: communication, respect, empathy, and open-mindedness. For true effectiveness, these elements must be present on both sides. Just keep in mind that the elements manifest in different ways. I’ve outlined my reflections to help each of us understand what they can do as they build our author-editor relationship.

COMMUNICATION

An author must be a good communicator. (I know you thought, “DUH!” as you read this—stay with me.) As an author, you absolutely have to be effective in communicating your ideas and messages through writing. But in this instance, I’m talking about project communication. You should be able to articulate your project’s goals and audience. A clear picture of goals and audience are crucial context for you to write quality work, and for your editor to make ideal revisions and suggestions. Beyond that, it’s important for you to be responsive to the editor’s communication in whatever form. You can’t and shouldn’t be the only party asking questions. It’s a two-way street.

An editor must be a good communicator. (I know you thought, “DUH!” again. Please continue.) As an editor, I often translate an author’s ideas, prompt further explanation, and wordsmith to get to their core message. That requires a unique set of communication skills. But again, I’ll discuss project communication. I’m responsible for clearly outlining expectations about project costs/payments, timelines, and scope of work (level of editing, areas of focus, etc.). When it comes to suggestions for significant changes that may frighten or anger you, I’ll do my best to explain my rationale. I strive to do what is right for the work’s purpose and audience, not just what’s right in the rule book.

RESPECT

An author must respect their editor. Most editors are savvy not only with language, but also with various industry standards and expectations. They are talented individuals, so it’s important to respect the cost of a good editor. Editors are deserving of living wages too, just like other professional service providers. Hiring a quality editor saves you time, energy, and sometimes even your reputation. It’s important to have self-respect and a willingness to spend money on something that’s so meaningful to you. Your project quality reflects on the value of your time, energy, and expertise. When you rely on yourself for editing, you can stand out for the wrong reasons. Investing in an editor usually results in your work being outstanding.

An editor must respect their author. Authors are passionate and knowledgeable about their industry, hobbies, message, characters—you name it! It’s important that I always respect your goals. I utilize efficiency tools and strategies to save you time (and money) while also polishing your product. Even though it’s not easy, I also balance respect for your goals with respect for the rules. I provide suggestions and guidance to strengthen your work, but I always respect your voice as an author. My role is to amplify your voice to garner even more respect for your authority and passion.

EMPATHY

An author must be empathetic. A thoughtful and empathetic author will go far. Sure, there are times when creating works for the sake of creating them is appropriate. But you are usually writing for a specific audience. It’s critical for you to be empathetic to your audience, appealing to emotions and/or motivating action. I also ask that you be empathetic toward your editor. After all, editors can be extra hard on themselves (perfectionism runs rampant in editing). Because editors are not flawless, it’s helpful when you are flexible and forgiving.

An editor must be empathetic. I absolutely understand how hard writing is. With my writing, I’m my own worst critic. That’s extra bonus points for writing empathy, though, right? I make sure to understand an author’s target audience for a work. This helps me to read from the audience’s perspective and provide feedback accordingly. I’m also empathetic about how you will receive my feedback. By being gently assertive, I can challenge you to clarify your message. I’ll also be your cheerleader when you are overwhelmed or want to give up. I want you to keep going because your work matters!

OPEN-MINDEDNESS

An author must be open-minded. Authors are closer to their work than anyone else. You usually hire an editor to get fresh perspectives and honest feedback. But damn, it’s hard to be vulnerable and share something as personal as writing. It’s good to remember that an editor offers insights based on their in-depth knowledge and experience with language and style. You should be open to new ideas because they can strengthen your work and maximize its potential.

An editor must be open-minded. There is a reason that I pursue editing work. I love rules about grammar and style. Or maybe I just find the challenge of applying rules to various situations to be invigorating (nerdy, I know). Either way, I often remind myself to be open-minded about breaking the rules. There are instances where rebellion makes sense. At the end of the day, I pursue what’s right for a particular work. And sometimes I defer to your authorial decisions because ultimately, you have the final say.

Hopefully my reflections help us continue building valuable connections with one another. What are your thoughts? Is there an element that you think is essential to the author-editor relationship?

It would be an honor to support you in your writing and publication journey! I’m hopeful that we’ll connect soon.

Cheers,

Val

Photo courtesy of Lab Manager