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The Steve Laube Agency

Helping to Change the World…Word by Word

The Steve Laube Agency

The Steve Laube Agency

Helping to Change the World Word by Word

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Home » Writing Craft » Book Business » Page 19

Book Business

Are We Speaking the Same Language?

By Steve Laubeon March 21, 2012
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by Karen Ball

languages

I love languages. I started studying French in the 7th grade (“Bonjour, Monsieur DuPree. Comment-allez vous?), and by the time I had my double college degree in multiple-languages and journalism, I’d studied French (12 years), Spanish (5 years), and Russian (1 year). But I confess, I never expected to have to learn a new language when I entered the publishing world.

Surprise!

I remember the first time I realized words and terms had very different meanings in publishing. As a PK and PGK (preacher’s kid and preacher’s grandkid), I knew my duty to widow and orphans. It was right there in the Bible. So you imagine my astonishment when I discovered it was now my goal to kill the widows and orphans. Then I learned that bleeding in the gutters had nothing to do with murder, that picas weren’t fuzzy little forest animals, leading wasn’t something done to stained glass, fonts weren’t receptacles for baptismal water, a kill fee wasn’t about hiring a hitman, and a galley wasn’t the kitchen on a ship.

It all reminded me of a line from a poster I had up in my college dorm room: I know you believe you understand what you thought I said, but I’m not sure that what you heard is what I really meant to say. Or the poster in a friend’s room that said, “I’m not as drunk as some thinkle peep I am.” (Okay, it has absolutely nothing to do with that last one. I just put it in because it makes me laugh…)

It’s taken years of study and practice, but I’m finally fluent in Pub-Speak. Or so I thought until a few days ago when I had a discussion of editing terms with the illustrious Steve Laube. It went something like this:

Me:  I’ll do a macro edit.

SL:  So…that’s the line-by-line edit?

Me:  No. The macro is big-picture stuff. Story, plot, character development. What you’re talking about is a line edit.

SL:  But I usually call that the substantive edit and the line-by-line stuff the copy edit.

Me:  No, the copy edit is jot-and-tittle stuff. Punctuation, grammar.

SL:  Isn’t that also done at the proofreading stage? So the line edit is…?

Me:  A line-by-line edit, where you make sure sentences are put together right…

SL:  So you’re talking about grammar.

Me:  No, that’s the copy edit. This is more about structure and flow and word choice.

SL:  I thought you said that was the macro edit.

Me:  AAAAAUUUUGGGGHHHH!

Clearly, my understanding of publishing terms, which I learned from the houses where I’d worked, didn’t match what Steve had learned these same terms meant. And here’s the truly frustrating thing: it’s possible that these very same terms mean something entirely different to other editors out there! Don’t miss Steve’s blog on “The Editorial Process” where he shows how easy it is to get confused.

SO, how do you communicate to an editor or agent what it is you want/need done with a manuscript? I’ve discovered the only surefire method is to the old adage “A picture is worth a thousand words” to heart. Meaning take a section of text, do the kind of edit you want on it, and send it as an example. If you’re not an editor at heart, then copy and past an excerpt of text your editor has worked on, with the edits intact, and send that along. SHOW, don’t tell. That guideline works here as well as it does in writing novels. And when you’re talking about your needs as a writer, it’s always best to opt for clarity and find a common language—or picture—we all understand.

N’est-ce pas?*

 

*French for “isn’t that so?”

 

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Category: Book Business, Career, Communication, KarenTag: Career, Communication, Editing, Language

It’s A Brave New World

By Karen Ballon March 14, 2012
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I’ve been in publishing for lo, these many years (over 30), so you’d think the work would be pretty much second nature for me. No so! In fact, just this last week I did something completely new!

I edited a book, in four days, using Skype and Dropbox.

The amazing thing about this isn’t that the author and I got the book done so quickly, but that it was SO MUCH FUN! We parked on Skype for …

Read moreIt’s A Brave New World
Category: Book Business, Get Published, Karen, TrendsTag: dropbox, Editing, skype, Technology, Trends, Writing Craft

The Unhelpful Rejection Letter

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon March 8, 2012
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Have you ever received an unhelpful rejection letter that says, "Sorry, but this just isn't a fit for us."? I have. And I've also written more of these rejections than I'd like to admit. In fact, after I write this post, I may just have to send out twenty more.

Some authors write back to say, "Can't you tell me what I can do better? What suggestions do you have?" I'm sure I frustrate writers …

Read moreThe Unhelpful Rejection Letter
Category: Book Business, Book Proposals, Get Published, Rejection, TamelaTag: Get Published, Query Letters, Rejection, Tamela

Writers’ Conference Spotlight: Mount Hermon

By Karen Ballon February 29, 2012
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One of the best-loved conferences is the Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference. This year the conference will be held from March 30th to April 3rd. I first went to this conference in the late 90s, and have returned every year since. I love the heart of this conference, which is all about uplifting and encouraging, and about honoring the One who has called us to this amazing task. So, as …

Read moreWriters’ Conference Spotlight: Mount Hermon
Category: Book Business, Conferences, Get Published, Guest Post, KarenTag: Conferences, Get Published, Writing Craft

Why Do I Have to Jump Through Your Hoops?

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon February 23, 2012
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Recently, my assistant had a conversation with an author who did not send a complete proposal. The author was referred to our guidelines and gently reminded that we needed more material in order to make an evaluation. But instead of saying "thank you" for the guidance, the author declared they did not have to jump through any hoops, and took the opportunity to aggressively express their complaints …

Read moreWhy Do I Have to Jump Through Your Hoops?
Category: Agency, Book Business, Book Proposals, Get Published, Tamela, Writing CraftTag: Agents, Book Business, Editors, Get Published, Pitching, Proposals, Tamela

7 Ways Agents Measure Social Media

By Steve Laubeon February 20, 2012
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Guest Blog by Thomas Umstattd We are thrilled to have Thomas Umstattd as our guest today. His company built our web site and we unabashedly recommend their services. Thomas built his first website at the age of 13 and taught his first web design class at only 16 years old. He has been helping authors and small businesses use the web ever since. Thomas currently serves as the CEO of Castle Media …

Read more7 Ways Agents Measure Social Media
Category: Agency, Book Business, Branding, Guest Post, Marketing, Social Media, SteveTag: Branding Platform Agents, Facebook, Marketing, Social Media, Trends

Charmed, I’m Sure

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon February 16, 2012
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Dear Editor:
You really should meet this author! He knows all the best places to dine. I couldn't believe the fabulous meal we were served at a hole-in-the-wall place I'd never heard of until I made his acquaintance. He has also been quite generous and charming to my family. My husband and my kids have nothing but great things to say about this wonderful author!
In our meetings both in person …

Read moreCharmed, I’m Sure
Category: Book Business, Book Proposals, Get Published, Pitching, Tamela, Writing CraftTag: Editors, Pitching, Proposals, Rejection, Tamela, Writing Craft

A Visit with Angela Hunt!

By Karen Ballon February 15, 2012
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Today’s guest blogger is Angela Hunt, a master craftsman and wonderful woman. Angie is one of the first novelists I ever worked with, so we go back a loooong ways. In fact, I think we’ve been friends now for almost 25 years. She’s agreed to share her thoughts about writing, the changes in publishing, and how she refuels creativity. So without further ado, ladies and gents, I give you the amazing …

Read moreA Visit with Angela Hunt!
Category: Book Business, Book Business, Guest Post, Karen, The Publishing Life, Writing CraftTag: Angela Hunt, Publishing A-Z

Clarification on Sale of Heartsong to Harlequin

By Steve Laubeon January 30, 2012
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New information has surfaced regarding the sale of Heartsong to Harlequin.

In my post on Friday I made the assumption that the sale included all the backlist and the currently contracted titles. This was reflected in point #5 in the post.

That is not the case. Harlequin did not buy the backlist or the currently contracted titles. Those will remain the property of Barbour Publishing. Thus …

Read moreClarification on Sale of Heartsong to Harlequin
Category: Agency, Book Business, Get Published, Romance, Steve, TrendsTag: Agents, Book Business, Editors, Publishing News, Trends, Writing Craft

Barbour Sells Heartsong to Harlequin

By Steve Laubeon January 27, 2012
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Today Barbour Publishing announced they have sold their Heartsong Presents line of inspirational romances to Harlequin.

For those of us who have been wondering about the eventual buyer, this comes as no surprise. We have known they were being sold since last Fall. In December I spoke with Barbour's president, Tim Martins, and he confirmed that the sale was in its last stages of negotiation but …

Read moreBarbour Sells Heartsong to Harlequin
Category: Agency, Book Business, Book Business, Contracts, Get Published, Steve, TrendsTag: Agents, Book Business, Publishing News, rumors, Writing Craft
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