As writers, we spend most of our time writing – as we should. We draft then revise, revise, revise, and revise until our manuscript is as perfect as possible.
Then we move on to the next step. Query, query, query.
Let’s go one further and say we sign with an agent. What now? More querying, but this time your agent is querying editors. It’s called being on submission.
Next step. An editor likes your book. That’s wonderful! But what happens now. That is the question most writers don’t know. Whose decision is it to buy your book? Who makes the decision on the advance paid to the author? What happens after the author signs the contract? And a big one – why does it take so long to get a book out?
All of that can be summed up with the question, What does an editor do?
It’s more than you think. Yes, they read your manuscript. Yes, they edit it. But they’re also involved in cover design, marketing, sales, and so much more.
Below are several videos describing a day in the life of an editor. They explain the path a book takes from initial agent submission to acquisitions, editing to cover design, marketing and sales.
- What does a book editor do? https://youtu.be/sWeMjVkhhQE
- What does an editor do? https://youtu.be/vOY_CTmv9m0
- Find out more about the publishing process at Penguin Random House https://youtu.be/iI4c2K_yb9s
- Inside Random House: Bringing Our Authors’ Books to Life https://youtu.be/4FlnAFH4HV4
We hope this gives you a bit of insight into the world of publishing. Knowing the process can help you know what to expect, and what to ask for.
