Interview with an editor (Answers, Part Three)

Okay, got to finish this up pronto, and I've got a few minutes this morning before I get ready for work.

10. Tell me about the story gathering process and the publishing process for the anthology. Well, the call went out in May for submissions to the anthology. The guidelines were very specific -- the story had to be under 1,200 words and be in the mystery genre. The call was published on my publisher's Web site, www.kerlak.com. It was also published online at several writers' resource centers and in the magazine Poets & Writers. The response to the call was amazing! I received around 130 stories -- and thus began the whittling-down process. I tossed out all the really bad ones and was left with about 75 or 80. (It's been a few months since all this took place, so don't hold me to these numbers.) Kerlak was also impressed by the number of submissions, and suggested we hold some of the stories for a possible second volume, based on how sales do on the first book. So 52 stories are going in the first book; the rest are being held. Right now, I'm editing the stories and writing the authors' bios. Then it goes to the copy editor, then layout, then back to me for galley proofing. Also, I've got an artist working on cover art. So there's a lot to be done before it actually goes to press.

11. Since the anthology was a small press project, will you be responsible for the publicity and sales? Yes and no. (Isn't that a great answer?) I suspect I will largely have to handle publicity because this is just the fourth or fifth book put out by Kerlak, and I don't think they really have a "press team" in place yet. As for sales, that is through Ingram. It will be available anywhere Ingram books are distributed -- so you'll be able to order it through bn.com, amazon.com, and in your local Barnes & Noble or Books-A-Million. I do want your class to understand the distinction between self-publishing and small-press publishing. I am not publishing this myself, nor am I paying anyone to do it. A small press is exactly that -- a small business that happens to work in publishing. Self-publishing doesn't always meet the same standards of quality as that done by "regular" publishers (or, those with a copy editor, a layout team, artists, etc.).

12. How does working on the anthology tie into your day-to-day role as an editor? Oh, it ties in very closely! I have a poster I keep on my wall that lists the Top 10 Reasons to Be an Editor. (I'll list the whole thing below -- it's actually quite cute.) Anyway, one of the reasons is that "Papers never ask writers to edit, but they love it if editors write." Now, while I'm not writing this book (other than the authors' bios, the forward, etc.), as the book's anthologist, I must look at it from the point of view of both an editor (which stories are well-written?) and as a reader (which stories are fun to read?). So I think actually being an editor in my day job helps me make informed decisions about which stories are well-written AND a good read.

13. Which do you enjoy more: the fiction market or newspaper? Can I say both? I mean, honestly, I edit voraciously, the way some people read. If I didn't love proofing books, I wouldn't be with Kerlak. If I didn't love proofing newspapers, I wouldn't be with The Daily News. If I didn't love proofing magazines, I wouldn't be with Memphis Downtowner. It's not that I will proof anything set before me -- Lord knows I've seen a lot of really bad stuff that I'd prefer not to edit. But these three companies are giving me opportunities in vastly different media, and it's a great adventure for me, red pen in hand. That said, I'd have to say that I find the greatest joy in editing the newspaper for the sole reason that it's a daily paper. It keeps me on my toes, having to look at all-new material every day. And it's always changing, so I never get bored!

14. Tell me about any plans you have for the future as far as newspaper publishing or fiction. I plan to go with the flow and let the chips fall where they may. I used to worry about getting a job in editing. Now, I realize I'll always have a job, because there are always sloppy writers who need to be cleaned up! :) No, I'm kidding. Seriously, though, I love my job at TDN and can't imagine being anywhere else. If, god forbid, I do end up leaving TDN, I think I could learn to be happy editing at another media publication OR for a publishing company. Look at it this way: If you work at a car wash, you're going to wash Porsches and Pontiacs, minivans and coupes, new cars, old cars, banged-up cars and cars that should be up on blocks in somebody's back yard. But your job remains the same: Get out the soapy water and scrub it clean. And that's kind of like my job. I can edit (almost) anything, as long as I get a red pen and a paycheck. The "makes and models" of publications may be different, but my job doesn't really change.

15. What is most enjoyable about your job? The changes day by day. Really, I never get bored, and I love that!

16. ... least enjoyable? The stress. Period. I suffer from three anxiety disorders, and sometimes the stress really gets to me. I try to keep my cool, though! :-)