This thread is excellent. It's a warm, open way to ask questions, seek advice, and connect with fellow writers. The inclusive nature of this space, where no question is too small, fosters a sense of community and growth, reminding us that every writer, regardless of experience, is on a continuous journey of learning and development. Thanks for this.
Kirsten, can you talk about the "new publishers" on the block. Who is new and recognizing the existing publishing paradigm needs to shift? I'd love to hear about that. Thank you 🇨🇦
Oh, this is good for a future blog post. Let me do some research and get back to you with a few of my favorites! But if any readers want to share, please do!
Genre.. If my work is character driven and I focus a lot on prose and imagery, make the main charactes near foils of one another....Am I writing literary fiction? I thought I was writing sci-fi fantasy but I am having a struggle trying to fit the story thus far into a plot box. There are goals, tension, etc. But there are also moral dilemmas, motifs, exploration of self-worth and what that means or home and what that means.
Should I not worry about whether this is genre or literary fiction for now? I know I'll need to have it pinned for querying.
You’ll need to have it pinned for querying, but for now I would focus on finishing the book. Once you are completely done, you can share it with a couple of trusted readers and ask for their opinions. I would also look at books on the shelf that you feel are similar to yours and see how they are classified. If you don’t know, ask your local booksellers or librarians for help. I’ve had lots of clients have success finding comparison titles that way.
You know yourself best! Getting a degree is insanely expensive and it is very hard for writing to ever really pay all the bills. But if that’s the direction you want to go, go for it!!
Hello! I love this - thank you for being open to sharing your insight and expertise! I have two questions:
1) Should a first time author try to get a literary agent before sending their novel to an editor or pay an editor and then submit to a literary agent? I’m just confused on if the literary agent helps with the editing or if it needs to be edited first.
2) How “well known” does a first time author have to be to get picked up? It feels like if you don’t have a strong social media presence to help sell your book, then some places just aren’t interested. Do you find this to be true?
1) A literary agent will help with a little editing - and even more editing once you're officially a client - but a manuscript really needs to be close to 100% there to get picked up. This is very hard for beginning authors to achieve on their own. Most of my editing clients come to me before they submit or after they try a few agents and get vague rejections. Either way is fine!
2) I think being "well known" is a requirement for non fiction, not so much for fiction. If the manuscript is exceptional, a small or non existent social media presence won't discount that. I'd focus on making the manuscript perfect and worry less about a big social media campaign, but if you have time for both - it can't hurt!
I read about the experience of a writer whose book that came out recently. She showed pictures of counterfeit copies which were apparently produced through KDP. Understandably she was very upset. I’m trying to understand how some crook created a counterfeit book and sent those out. Is this sort of thing happening much these days? It’s terrible hearing stories like that. I also really hate seeing people taking the hard work of a writer and using AI to produce workbooks that are essentially trying to profit from the work of a legit writer by stealing content. What trends are you seeing? What can be done to prevent these crooks from doing these things?
I seem to be spotting a change in how some writer’s I favor compose paragraphs. I always thought only one person (pov person or not) gets mentioned in a paragraph but lately have been reading something like:
George put the dagger in his satchel. David lowered his head and looked away.
Where prior I felt they required two separate entries. Is this a new trend? It does seem to impact tone and pacing … a tighter one - two punch. When is a para in a novel done? Can it now encompass a short action sequence?
It is really hard to come up with a comment about something like this. Every author has their own style. And a lot of established authors can get away with things that new authors can’t. I would focus on writing the best book that you can either using this style that you’ve discovered or not. And then you need to get early readers to weigh in on it.
How do you approach editing? I'd there a checklist? An order of editing importance? It seems the big changes should come first, because they will make little changes, but what do you look for? How do you know /what/ to edit?
It is always different. I actually have a blog post coming out on this pretty soon. I look at the big picture issues first and then I go back in and do a line edit. And I am a commercial editor so I’m editing for pace first and foremost. No matter what I’m editing my goal is to always make sure the reader will be at the edge of their seat. There are also a lot of common problems I look for and I’m going to be doing a post on the top 10 of those soon.
It is all connected. I’m looking at everything. And when you’re looking at pace, it automatically points you towards characters that need help or plot.
Daily might be a lot. Maybe you can compile them all into a weekly newsletter. But there’s no right answer for everyone - you can try different ways and see what gets you the most responses.
I feel like the writing part is easy. The challenge is seeing the impact of what I'm writing. I always love it, but is it clear, does it engage, and is it useful?
Do you suggest writers bachelors programs as a beneficial step? I attended some college but left during Covid and am considering returning for writing but am unsure if I want to take the leap/if it will actually help. I have a very specific nonfiction book I am working on but am looking for mentorship/guidance on it. Thank you!!
I don’t know if you need to go for an entire degree immediately. I would consider just starting with one writing class and seeing how you feel and going from there.
Thanks for your response! I've done UCLA extension classes and a Write or Die writing mentorship, and they helped a tiny bit but nothing really substantial. I feel pretty stuck with where to go with my book and don't know what next steps to take so that's what has been getting me thinking about going to school, so that I'm fully immersed with a program
Confused about 3rd person omniscient. If you claim to be using this how must this manifest in your story? Must I have a narrator pov entry now and then? I use about 5 separate pov entries in story sufficient? Hope this is a question safe zone as I get tripped up over the darndest things. Thank you.
This is really hard to answer without reading. I would write the book the way you want to write it and then share it with early readers and see what they think. I also wouldn’t worry about rules or how other writers do it until it’s done. Because that will also just make you stop writing. The most important thing is to finish and then worry about how you did it and get editing help if you need it.
Dune is 3rd person omniscient (for a reference). I’ve read / heard authors speak about how having more POVs generally means the length of the story is longer; Brandon Sanderson is one such author who comes to mind.
I’m looking into a line edit for my memoir manuscript and am getting prices and wondering if there is an industry standard price that you are aware of …
I found a great editor through the EFA who took a look at about ten of my short stories. She did a full line/copy/developmental edit of them and I feel like I had this moment of clarity, like I see why these stories were not finding homes in the lit mags I had been submitting them too. Of course there are always a million other reasons, but I'm really happy with the work she did on these stories.
My story contains two separate POV (First person for MC, and Third for others). How do editors deal with this, what advice do you have for me if I'm set on doing it this way, and how do agents view the multiple POVs?
I personally would make sure all of the point of views always feel distinct, consistent and you’re using them at the right spots. And that you don’t have too many. Otherwise, it could feel choppy. But this is on a case by case basis. If you’re concerned, I would make sure you have plenty of early readers weighing in. I don’t think agents have a strong opinion one way or another about multiple points of view, as long as it’s done right.
This thread is excellent. It's a warm, open way to ask questions, seek advice, and connect with fellow writers. The inclusive nature of this space, where no question is too small, fosters a sense of community and growth, reminding us that every writer, regardless of experience, is on a continuous journey of learning and development. Thanks for this.
Thank you so much for the kind words! Every stage of writing is different and important and I love helping. I am so happy you enjoy this thread!
Kirsten, can you talk about the "new publishers" on the block. Who is new and recognizing the existing publishing paradigm needs to shift? I'd love to hear about that. Thank you 🇨🇦
Oh, this is good for a future blog post. Let me do some research and get back to you with a few of my favorites! But if any readers want to share, please do!
Amazing and thank you!
Genre.. If my work is character driven and I focus a lot on prose and imagery, make the main charactes near foils of one another....Am I writing literary fiction? I thought I was writing sci-fi fantasy but I am having a struggle trying to fit the story thus far into a plot box. There are goals, tension, etc. But there are also moral dilemmas, motifs, exploration of self-worth and what that means or home and what that means.
Should I not worry about whether this is genre or literary fiction for now? I know I'll need to have it pinned for querying.
You’ll need to have it pinned for querying, but for now I would focus on finishing the book. Once you are completely done, you can share it with a couple of trusted readers and ask for their opinions. I would also look at books on the shelf that you feel are similar to yours and see how they are classified. If you don’t know, ask your local booksellers or librarians for help. I’ve had lots of clients have success finding comparison titles that way.
Thank you! 🫶
Yes! I love every book I work on. Even if they have a little ways to go. I still see what the author intends and love helping them get there.
You know yourself best! Getting a degree is insanely expensive and it is very hard for writing to ever really pay all the bills. But if that’s the direction you want to go, go for it!!
Hello! I love this - thank you for being open to sharing your insight and expertise! I have two questions:
1) Should a first time author try to get a literary agent before sending their novel to an editor or pay an editor and then submit to a literary agent? I’m just confused on if the literary agent helps with the editing or if it needs to be edited first.
2) How “well known” does a first time author have to be to get picked up? It feels like if you don’t have a strong social media presence to help sell your book, then some places just aren’t interested. Do you find this to be true?
Thank you again for your time!
So happy to help! Here are my thoughts:
1) A literary agent will help with a little editing - and even more editing once you're officially a client - but a manuscript really needs to be close to 100% there to get picked up. This is very hard for beginning authors to achieve on their own. Most of my editing clients come to me before they submit or after they try a few agents and get vague rejections. Either way is fine!
2) I think being "well known" is a requirement for non fiction, not so much for fiction. If the manuscript is exceptional, a small or non existent social media presence won't discount that. I'd focus on making the manuscript perfect and worry less about a big social media campaign, but if you have time for both - it can't hurt!
This is so helpful! Thank you!!
I read about the experience of a writer whose book that came out recently. She showed pictures of counterfeit copies which were apparently produced through KDP. Understandably she was very upset. I’m trying to understand how some crook created a counterfeit book and sent those out. Is this sort of thing happening much these days? It’s terrible hearing stories like that. I also really hate seeing people taking the hard work of a writer and using AI to produce workbooks that are essentially trying to profit from the work of a legit writer by stealing content. What trends are you seeing? What can be done to prevent these crooks from doing these things?
There will always be scammers. Luckily, there will also always be good people to fight them. If you need light in the darkness, I would look at the organizations who are doing the work and even see if you can volunteer with them. Here’s a good list: https://www.writersdigest.com/be-inspired/writing-organizations-for-writers-to-check-out
Thank you, Kristen! I’ll check that list out. Appreciate your response and all you do.
I seem to be spotting a change in how some writer’s I favor compose paragraphs. I always thought only one person (pov person or not) gets mentioned in a paragraph but lately have been reading something like:
George put the dagger in his satchel. David lowered his head and looked away.
Where prior I felt they required two separate entries. Is this a new trend? It does seem to impact tone and pacing … a tighter one - two punch. When is a para in a novel done? Can it now encompass a short action sequence?
It is really hard to come up with a comment about something like this. Every author has their own style. And a lot of established authors can get away with things that new authors can’t. I would focus on writing the best book that you can either using this style that you’ve discovered or not. And then you need to get early readers to weigh in on it.
How do you approach editing? I'd there a checklist? An order of editing importance? It seems the big changes should come first, because they will make little changes, but what do you look for? How do you know /what/ to edit?
It is always different. I actually have a blog post coming out on this pretty soon. I look at the big picture issues first and then I go back in and do a line edit. And I am a commercial editor so I’m editing for pace first and foremost. No matter what I’m editing my goal is to always make sure the reader will be at the edge of their seat. There are also a lot of common problems I look for and I’m going to be doing a post on the top 10 of those soon.
Pace first. Even before character? Plot?
It is all connected. I’m looking at everything. And when you’re looking at pace, it automatically points you towards characters that need help or plot.
I write a daily note on Notes. But I have a doubt. Should I put in a daily newsletter?
Daily might be a lot. Maybe you can compile them all into a weekly newsletter. But there’s no right answer for everyone - you can try different ways and see what gets you the most responses.
I have think about compiled them. Thank you for your answer
Kristen, like the baker tires of his own wares, can you still see past the editor and merge with the content?
Of course. If I couldn’t, my job would be very hard. I love the books I work on.
I feel like the writing part is easy. The challenge is seeing the impact of what I'm writing. I always love it, but is it clear, does it engage, and is it useful?
Those are questions only your readers can answer! I hope you find good ones.
I feel like that is the answer I would give myself if I asked myself that question. Thanks for standing in for me.
Do you suggest writers bachelors programs as a beneficial step? I attended some college but left during Covid and am considering returning for writing but am unsure if I want to take the leap/if it will actually help. I have a very specific nonfiction book I am working on but am looking for mentorship/guidance on it. Thank you!!
I don’t know if you need to go for an entire degree immediately. I would consider just starting with one writing class and seeing how you feel and going from there.
Thanks for your response! I've done UCLA extension classes and a Write or Die writing mentorship, and they helped a tiny bit but nothing really substantial. I feel pretty stuck with where to go with my book and don't know what next steps to take so that's what has been getting me thinking about going to school, so that I'm fully immersed with a program
Confused about 3rd person omniscient. If you claim to be using this how must this manifest in your story? Must I have a narrator pov entry now and then? I use about 5 separate pov entries in story sufficient? Hope this is a question safe zone as I get tripped up over the darndest things. Thank you.
This is really hard to answer without reading. I would write the book the way you want to write it and then share it with early readers and see what they think. I also wouldn’t worry about rules or how other writers do it until it’s done. Because that will also just make you stop writing. The most important thing is to finish and then worry about how you did it and get editing help if you need it.
Dune is 3rd person omniscient (for a reference). I’ve read / heard authors speak about how having more POVs generally means the length of the story is longer; Brandon Sanderson is one such author who comes to mind.
I’m looking into a line edit for my memoir manuscript and am getting prices and wondering if there is an industry standard price that you are aware of …
I would look at the rate page of the Editorial Freelancers Association. They have a good range. https://www.the-efa.org/rates/
I found a great editor through the EFA who took a look at about ten of my short stories. She did a full line/copy/developmental edit of them and I feel like I had this moment of clarity, like I see why these stories were not finding homes in the lit mags I had been submitting them too. Of course there are always a million other reasons, but I'm really happy with the work she did on these stories.
That’s so great! I’m glad you found her.
My story contains two separate POV (First person for MC, and Third for others). How do editors deal with this, what advice do you have for me if I'm set on doing it this way, and how do agents view the multiple POVs?
I personally would make sure all of the point of views always feel distinct, consistent and you’re using them at the right spots. And that you don’t have too many. Otherwise, it could feel choppy. But this is on a case by case basis. If you’re concerned, I would make sure you have plenty of early readers weighing in. I don’t think agents have a strong opinion one way or another about multiple points of view, as long as it’s done right.
Thanks so much