March 30, 2011 • Category: Ask an Editor, Blog
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Today we launch our new video series, Ask an Algonquin Editor. Have a question about the publishing world? Submit it in the comments section and one of our editors may very well answer it in a future episode. First up: Executive Editor Chuck Adams answers the question, How did you acquire Water for Elephants? Bonus material: artwork done by an elephant! See Chuck talk about the beautiful painting that author Sara Gruen gave to him.
I’ve already submitted three of my own questions: 1) Do you remember the first book you ever read? No, not as a professional, I mean ever. 2) What’s the difference between a galley and an Advance Reading Copy? and 3) I know you said “No” to my cyber-punk novella, but will you read my LOTR fan-poetry? Personally, I’m hoping an Algonquin editor will answer #3.
–Susannah Long, Intern
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Tags: Algonquin Editor, Chuck Adams, editors, elephant artwork, elephant painting, publishing world, Sara Gruen, Water for Elephants, Water for Elephants Movie
Hira H. says...
Another question that I can think of is, what kind of a following do publishers expect an aspiring author to have? What kind of numbers, or statistics, are expected or required (Twitter, Blogs, etc)?
April 2, 2011@ 6:01 PMFatima Hyman says...
Hi! Do publishers/editors ever search online for new unpublished authors who have self published?
April 1, 2011@ 8:20 AMHira H. says...
Question) What advice do you have for up & coming writers? Should they find an agent, or publish on their own and try to get a deal with a publishing company for another novel and/or a sequel? Also, in self-publishing most authors find it really difficult to edit their work, would you recommend intervention from a professional editor? Lastly, as an editor, when looking for an author to sign, or a manuscript to pick up – what qualities are you looking for within the manuscript itself, as well as the author?
Reading about Sara Gruen, and her background, I think it is so endearing that she works so closely with animals – it is no surprise that Rosie plays such a key character in her novel. That painting is such a charming piece – so colorful and lively. Thank you so much for your time and consideration. I’m really looking forward to the webchat with Sara Gruen and Kahtyrn Stockett.
April 1, 2011@ 2:21 AMMel McKenzie says...
Is it a bad idea to create a wiki and Facebook page for an unpublished book, in an effort to promote it to publishers/agents?
March 31, 2011@ 3:18 PMTheral Timpson says...
Just finished my first novel. I’ve been looking forward to working with an experienced editor at a publishing house. Yet everywhere I go these days, e-publishing is suggested. Do I keep looking for an agent, or just go for the amazon gig?
March 31, 2011@ 10:48 AMNath Jones says...
Thanks for sharing the story about the painting. It’s lovely. Q: This is a strange time to enter the market. From your perspective, what other changes should literary writers expect in publishing for the next five to ten years? What roles and responsibilities should we be ready and willing to assume?
March 31, 2011@ 10:15 AMeldavojohn says...
Hello, I participated and completed NaNoWriMo 2010. My book is pretty bad and I have set to editing it so that I can buy a single copy of my book from CreateSpace. But I’m finding editing it to be actually a lot harder and time consuming than pounding out 50,000 words in one month. Do you have any advice for editing? Is it a horrible idea for me to try and edit my own book (even as an amateur)? Friends who read a lot have offered to proof it but I’m a bit embarrassed and really unsure of what to do. I’m a software developer and just love to read and write. Could you offer any advice on what people like me should do? Are there services for editing amateur works? I guess as an avid reader I had always taken editing for granted. Now it’s a pretty daunting task …
March 31, 2011@ 9:48 AMAlan Harris says...
I just saw your video. I look foward to seeing this fine novel on the big screen.
March 30, 2011@ 4:22 PManu aggarwal says...
Would you like to work with an Indian writer? Considering the cultural differences, do you think you’d be able to then do justice to the story?
March 30, 2011@ 1:26 PMLisa Emig says...
What element attracts your attention as an editor – is it the plot, the characters, or the authors writing style?
March 30, 2011@ 1:05 PM