Challenges and Anecdotes From Acquiring Editors Whether you’re looking to break into the editing field, or just learn more about the so-called gatekeepers of the traditional publishing world, it’s always good to know more about what happens behind the scenes. As a reminder, acquiring editors work for the publishing houses and are the ones who actually make those large-figured book deals — in addition to revising and editing manuscripts. At WorldCon 2019’s “Editors’ panel: Challenges and Anecdotes”, I got to hear industry veterans Michael Rowley, Eleanor Teasdale, Ginjer Buchanan, John R. Douglas, and David Thomas Moor talk about their experiences. The Strangest Part of the Job When you’re doing it right, they pay you. – John R. Douglas The need to cheerleader in-house to sell the book you’re working. – Ginjer Buchanan The job is to find joy and passion and beauty and personality. And edit it out. Then, digest the book down to a single line. – David Thomas Moor. The Biggest Challenges Authors who don’t want to take edits Usually – they don’t want to Occasionally – they try to counter-argue the grammar or the rhythm, etc. When you give your heart and soul and rah-rah to a book and it just didn’t work out. (Thanks to timing, a bad cover, or just fate). The book(s) you didn’t get — that end up best sellers. Other divisions of the same company over-bidding you Get told ‘no’ at the publisher’s meeting (by Marketing/Sales/etc) Ones you passed on Getting the right cover John Douglas tried to win the Game of Thrones proposed series at auction, but George RR Martin accepted the deal that offered $75k in marketing, over the book deal with more upfront money. Favorite Book They’ve Worked On Several of the editors refused to “pick between their children”. But, we got a few answers. Maybe Mike Brooks’s Dead Sky – Michael Rowley John M. Ford’s The Dragon Waiting – John R. Douglas Charlie Stross’s Halting State duology. Also, media tie in novels for Quantum Leap. She read fanzines and hired the best writers. Asked them to pitch her — the writers loved the source material and it showed. Working on that was ‘nothing but fun.’ – Ginjer Buchanan Practical Advice On Breaking In As An Editor Move to London or New York Get any job at a publishing house and work your way up Private assistant Intern Marketing/Sales/etc Take a job at a small press to build your resume Get a degree in English/editing Earn the “Society of Editors and Proofreaders” certificate [UK] Network (conventions/etc) Look on bookseller websites for jobs or [UK] the IPG Luck As with everything book or writing related, hard work and luck seems to be a large part of it. Thanks for tuning in. I’ll be back again soon with more writing tips and writerly musings.