Editors on Editing: What Writers Need to Know About What Editors Do

The classic guide to the book publishing process, with essays by over three dozen professional editors: “Terrific.”—Judith Appelbaum, author of How to Get Happily Published

For decades, Editors on Editing has been indispensable for editors, aspiring editors, and especially writers who want to understand the publishing process, from how manuscripts are chosen for publication to what lunch with an agent is like. In this third revised edition of the book, thirty-eight essays are included to teach, inform, and inspire anyone interested in the world of editing. Covered are such topics as:

• the evolution of the American editor
• the ethical and moral dimensions of editing
• what an editor looks for in a query letter, proposal, and manuscript
• developmental editing; line editing; copyediting; and freelance editing
• working in different genres and markets, from science fiction to children’s books to Christian publishing
• the question of political correctness in both nonfiction and fiction
• making the most of writers’ conferences
• and many more