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Does Editing a Manuscript Help Get it Published? Part 5 of 12

June 4, 2009

I have a funny computer today. So this will be short and sweet, as I need to take this computer to the doctor. Until then I will do my best.

I’m of the firm belief that writing and editing one thing, such as a manuscript does have an end. At some point you need to give up the writing to the new piece. This means that after days, weeks, months or years of working on this book, you send ti out to publishers.

Really it’s not that complicated, you write a query letter, which is written with as much care as the book, if not more so and you send it out. Again and Again.

All the while you keep writing new materials. The process is repeated. At some point, your manuscript will be accepted by a literary agent or publisher ( I’m assuming you want to be traditionally published in this post, I’ll deal with self-publishing tomorrow.) Then you re-edit, and the book is now published.

My question for today is: How do you want your book to be published? Do you want a say or what do you envision for your book?

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4 Comments

  • Alissa
    June 5, 2009 at 12:10 am

    Ideally, I guess, we'd all say that we want a say in the publication and the final project, but I know, personally, after writing something, then editing, editing, editing and more editing, I just feel like I don't want to even look at it anymore. Not that I have ever been in this position, but if I had a novel accepted for publication, but an editor suggested a completely different ending, I might just say sure, no problem.

  • PrettySiren
    June 5, 2009 at 4:13 am

    In perfect!world, I would get a say in my book. However, perfect!world does not exist in reality.

    I agree with Alissa. If an editor suggested a different ending, I would go for it. After all, it was my idea to submit for publication — as a writer, we have to be open to this. To ensure a book stays exactly how it looks in your word document, you might as well just leave it there and never submit it. Because yeah, things WILL be changed. And I think it think it's all part of having a thick skin. If the editor says something would be better the way they describe, then it probably is.

  • Pink Ink
    June 5, 2009 at 6:52 am

    I agree, sometimes you polish something to the best of your ability and move on.

    I feel that way about my earliest attempts at novels.