The Fine Line Between Heeding Advice and Selling Out Creatively - CrimeSpace2024-03-29T06:23:06Zhttp://crimespace.ning.com/forum/topics/the-fine-line-between-heeding?commentId=537324%3AComment%3A299248&feed=yes&xn_auth=noI'm starting to understand th…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2011-07-12:537324:Comment:2994982011-07-12T15:07:29.018ZTanis Mallowhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/TanisMallow
<p>I'm starting to understand the agent/editor's lament that so much of what they receive is simply not ready. And its too bad 'cause it clogs up the slush piles for the more diligent writers.</p>
<p>Hopefully, e-publishing won't end up the same way.</p>
<p>I'm starting to understand the agent/editor's lament that so much of what they receive is simply not ready. And its too bad 'cause it clogs up the slush piles for the more diligent writers.</p>
<p>Hopefully, e-publishing won't end up the same way.</p> Oh, I know all about the vary…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2011-07-12:537324:Comment:2994732011-07-12T12:03:20.162ZSandra Ruttanhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/Sandramre
<p>Oh, I know all about the varying responses from editors for the same work! And I think that reflects the subjective nature of book publishing, because tastes vary. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>With that said, proper spelling and use of punctuation is something to strive for. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>I once had an author offer a review copy through Spinetingler. We were going through a standard auto-accept phase, with no guarantee the books would be read or reviewed. So, I actually started this particular…</p>
<p>Oh, I know all about the varying responses from editors for the same work! And I think that reflects the subjective nature of book publishing, because tastes vary. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>With that said, proper spelling and use of punctuation is something to strive for. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>I once had an author offer a review copy through Spinetingler. We were going through a standard auto-accept phase, with no guarantee the books would be read or reviewed. So, I actually started this particular book. Wasn't terribly impressed, not enough to be hooked, but still in the early stages so I hadn't given up on it. Then we got another email from the author, saying based on the feedback from the review copies he'd rewritten the first chapter and it was attached as a pdf to be read instead of the first chapter in the arc. I dropped the book immediately - not because he was self published, but because if I'm asked for a review I expect the book to be reasonably finished. I wasn't asked to critique the book or edit it, but apparently, all those other "reviews" he got he considered feedback.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Crazy.</p> It's a challenge to walk the…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2011-07-11:537324:Comment:2993272011-07-11T22:31:22.206ZTanis Mallowhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/TanisMallow
<p>It's a challenge to walk the line.</p>
<p>The problem with e-publishing is that there is an unharnessed opportunity for unedited works to be, well, published. Not everyone maintains the same professional level of quality control or is able to remain unbiased/objective about their own work especially if you've been immersed in the project for a long time). And if too much weak work floods the market, it makes it harder for the quality work to rise above the din.</p>
<p>That being said, I have…</p>
<p>It's a challenge to walk the line.</p>
<p>The problem with e-publishing is that there is an unharnessed opportunity for unedited works to be, well, published. Not everyone maintains the same professional level of quality control or is able to remain unbiased/objective about their own work especially if you've been immersed in the project for a long time). And if too much weak work floods the market, it makes it harder for the quality work to rise above the din.</p>
<p>That being said, I have writer friends that have sent in identical manuscripts to agents/editors and received completely different advice from so called industry professionals. It is a subjective business.</p>
<p>So, I guess, the trick is to make sure you have a second (third, fourth...) set of trustworthy eyes review your work and offer honest feedback; be willing to graciously accept said advice; and differentiate between valid concerns and subjective comments.</p>
<p>Easier said than done.</p>
<p>Sandra, feel free to edit this!</p> Yeah, that's the truth, isn't…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2011-07-11:537324:Comment:2993102011-07-11T20:48:51.815ZSandra Ruttanhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/Sandramre
Yeah, that's the truth, isn't it! We do seem to feel successful authors are sell-outs. Could be the exact opposite.
Yeah, that's the truth, isn't it! We do seem to feel successful authors are sell-outs. Could be the exact opposite. Sales!
If you get lots of t…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2011-07-11:537324:Comment:2992872011-07-11T20:28:14.451ZBenjamin Sobieckhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/BenjaminSobieck
<p>Sales!</p>
<p> </p>
<p>If you get lots of them, you took the advice under consideration yet balanced it with your own creative integrity.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>If you sell squat, you sold out and/or are too stubborn.</p>
<p>Sales!</p>
<p> </p>
<p>If you get lots of them, you took the advice under consideration yet balanced it with your own creative integrity.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>If you sell squat, you sold out and/or are too stubborn.</p> My agent doesn't edit. I thi…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2011-07-11:537324:Comment:2992452011-07-11T18:03:45.938ZI. J. Parkerhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/Ingpark
My agent doesn't edit. I think all of our experiences are different. I have had a couple of exceptional editors. Both were British. And I've briefly had a good one here in the States. The rest were to varying degrees unhelpful.
My agent doesn't edit. I think all of our experiences are different. I have had a couple of exceptional editors. Both were British. And I've briefly had a good one here in the States. The rest were to varying degrees unhelpful. That isn't exactly what I mea…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2011-07-11:537324:Comment:2992522011-07-11T15:45:50.362ZSandra Ruttanhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/Sandramre
<p>That isn't exactly what I mean, though. We're just more familiar with every step of the process when it comes to a full edit, and all the aspects of bringing a book to print. It gives an added layer of understanding when it comes to how to polish a book.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>My agent typically edits me more than anyone, save my husband. </p>
<p>That isn't exactly what I mean, though. We're just more familiar with every step of the process when it comes to a full edit, and all the aspects of bringing a book to print. It gives an added layer of understanding when it comes to how to polish a book.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>My agent typically edits me more than anyone, save my husband. </p> My NY editors haven't been st…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2011-07-11:537324:Comment:2992482011-07-11T15:10:04.335ZI. J. Parkerhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/Ingpark
My NY editors haven't been stellar, on the whole.
My NY editors haven't been stellar, on the whole. I think those editorial servi…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2011-07-11:537324:Comment:2992332011-07-11T14:53:41.997ZSandra Ruttanhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/Sandramre
I think those editorial services and book doctors are already springing up!
I think those editorial services and book doctors are already springing up! Well, I think with e-publishi…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2011-07-11:537324:Comment:2992322011-07-11T14:53:01.052ZSandra Ruttanhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/Sandramre
<p>Well, I think with e-publishing, it's very easy to write something and just toss it up. Unedited, or with minimal editing. Many manuscripts don't go through that same breathing process they used to. Sometimes, many months after the fact, you look at something you've written and can easily see all the ways you could change it to make it better. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>I think it's just our own professionalism that will make the difference, and that's where authors who've worked with NY editors…</p>
<p>Well, I think with e-publishing, it's very easy to write something and just toss it up. Unedited, or with minimal editing. Many manuscripts don't go through that same breathing process they used to. Sometimes, many months after the fact, you look at something you've written and can easily see all the ways you could change it to make it better. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>I think it's just our own professionalism that will make the difference, and that's where authors who've worked with NY editors will have an advantage in the e-publishing world.</p>