Posts Tagged: Publishing

Featured Editor

The thing I love best about working in the Christian publishing industry is the camaraderie among colleagues. Technically, we are all competitors, fighting for the same clients, the same jobs. But it is a cooperative competition—we all help one another out. Because, in the end, we all have the same boss—God. So when a colleague succeeds, we all cheer (even if that means we missed out on an editing gig). So because of this cooperative competition, we boost one another and encourage each other. Many thanks to Karin Berry of Write Now Editing for featuring me on her blog.

Enjoy some tips and inside scope of my interview here.

My Agent Loved My Proposal. Why Is He Making Me Redo It?

Congrats! You’ve jumped through the major hurdles of querying agents, submitting your book proposal, and fielding offers. You are now represented by Mr. Awesome Agent. If your book idea, your platform, and your proposal were so rockin’, why is your agent asking you to redo it?

book proposals

Don’t worry. This is often a standard practice. Your book proposal did catch the eye of an agent. But most every agency has their own format, their own proposal template. This way, when Mr. Agent shops your proposal to the publishers, the publishers realize, “Oh! I can tell this is from Mr. Awesome Agent! We always likes the book and the authors he brings us. Let’s definitely take a look at this!”

Every agent’s (or agency’s) book template is like their trademark. It is easily recognizable to the publishers they regularly sends clients’ proposals to. They’ve built their reputation around their work and their ability to bring stellar authors to the publishers.

Every proposal has the same info: overview, author’s bio, comparative analysis, marketing plans, future books, chapter outline, and sample chapters. But each agent/agency may have their own style or format for the headings. One major literary agency likes to insert the “Biblical Foundation,” meaning the one Scripture that is the basis of the book. Another major agent deems this as unnecessary. “You’re a Christian author writing a Christian book. I can assume you’ve based your book on Scripture, or I wouldn’t be considering you,” he says.

So although all proposal are very similar in content and format, each agent or agency may have their own style. Although it may be a little more work for you, the writer, it’s worth it. You are now attached to Mr. Awesome Agent and his worthy reputation. In the end, it’ll likely get you noticed and bring you a contract!

If you are a writer needing help with your book proposal, check out my Services page or Contact me. If you are an editor wanting to learn how to format and edit authors’ proposals, I have an online class for you! Check it out here.

What Authors Need in Today’s Publishing World


More Than an Editor

Today I’m starting a new series, “More Than an Editor.”
If you are an editor (or an author), follow this series based on classes I have developed and teach for freelance editors. 

The publishing world has vastly changed in the last decade. Authors no longer get to just write. They have to develop, plan, and grow a platform. They have to be social media experts. They are like business people executing business plans. They must be knowledge in how to promote, market, and sell their books. They are required to develop their “brand” and make their name recognizable. They must know well-known endorsers, connect with bloggers, and develop reader newsletters, Facebook groups, and fan forums.

To say authors are overwhelmed at the publishing process would be an understatement, I believe.

As the publishing industry changes how authors write, it is also changing how editors edit. Since authors must be more than authors—they must be social media experts, business people, marketers, promoters, brand developers—editors have to be more than editors. We have to develop skills that are beyond those of developmental editing, substantive editing, and copyediting. We must know everything that an author must know in order to best serve our author clients. That means we have to know all about publishing—both the writing side and the editing side.

As I work with book authors, I discover that the entire scope of what an author is expected to know and do is overwhelming for them. All of my clients have sought not only feedback on how to make their manuscripts better but also advice on how to navigate through the publishing process.

When do I send a query letter?

How do I write a proposal?

What does “competitive analysis” mean?

How is a proposal formatted? 

These are all questions and concerns that authors have. Yes, they can find blogs and websites and resources to answer all of these questions. They can study and learn how to do it all themselves. But if you have the answers, if you can format their queries and proposals, if you can consult them through the publishing process, then you have not only extended the paid gig with a client, but you also have likely secured a life-long relationship with this author. One that will keep the client coming back to you for her second book proposal, third book proposal, etc.

I have found that the most satisfying thing for me as an editor is developing relationships with authors and journeying with them through the entire publishing process. It is priceless to know you did such a good job consulting them that they can’t wait for you to help edit and format their next book proposal and give your expert advice on how to navigate the next journey of their career. Even after landing contracts with publishing houses and working with the in-house publishing editors, I’ve had clients come back to ask me my advice about book cover design or social media blasts. It’s not only been an honor for me to do so, but it is also amazing to see the entire life of a book, from manuscript to publication and beyond, not just the edits on a page.

Bottom line: I truly think editors need to develop skills that extend beyond editing in order to service the whole scope of an author’s publishing journey.

Stay tuned for next week’s article: “How to be Coach and Cheerleader as an Editor.”

Helping People Shine

Be Shiny
I love commas.

And conjunctions.

And semicolons.

I am a grammar nerd.

As an editor, I “fix” other people’s work. I add, delete, insert, cut, strike out, and transition paragraphs, sentences, and words. I format, proofread, rewrite, reorganize, and edit, edit, edit. I know the correct usage of punctuation, what subjunctive mood is, how to detect passive voice, and when to use a comma, semicolon, or colon.

But as much as I love grammar, formatting, and writing … I love people more.

Writers, specifically.

I love encouraging writers on their publishing journey. Helping them putting together the best, most well-written manuscript and proposal.

I love helping them SHINE.

To be honest, it’s not always easy or comfortable or time efficient. Most of the time, writers have to bare their soul—to me and on the typed page. They have to become vulnerable to get at the real story. Transparent. Authentic. They have to fight me for every beloved word that I, as an editor, want to strike from their manuscript. They have to be pushed by me to write more, be more, shine more.

The writer-editor relationship is difficult. It’s a love-hate partnership. But it’s also wonderful, because in the end, after the tears and crumbled typed pages, the writers SHINE.

My good friend and talented writer Adelle Gabrielson is writing about being SHINY this month on her blog. What does SHINE even mean?

To illuminate. To lighten, or brighten. To add light, shine, glow.

Adelle says, “Being shiny isn’t about being happy and perfect all the time. It’s about telling the truth, and when we tell the truth, we light the path for someone else.”

I help light the path—through grammar and formatting query letters, manuscripts, and book proposals—for writers to SHINE.

How do you SHINE? How do you light the path for someone else? Who needs your glow today?

I encourage you to join Adelle for “31 Days to Shine.”

Go … be SHINY!

 

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©2011- 2013 Christi McGuire. All Rights Reserved.

 

 

 

Types of Book Publishers

 Publishing

In today’s world, we have choices. Lots of choices.

Just walk down the cereal aisle of any grocery store, and you’ll see my point. For example, how many different types of Cheerios do you think there are?

Any guesses?

Thirteen.

There used to be two: Regular and Honey Nut. Now there are THIRTEEN! Do we really need Cinnamon, Dulce de Leche, and Yogurt Burst Cheerios?

Everywhere we turn, we have many choices. Even in publishing. Writers have more options in publishing their books than ever before. Let’s look at the major types of publishers.

Types of Book Publishers
1. Traditional Trade Publishers

Traditional trade publishers (also known as Commercial Publishers) work with literary agents and authors to acquire manuscripts. The publisher offers a contract to the author for an advance against royalties (typically). Then the publisher edits, produces, publishes, and distributes the book. Most trade publishers publish different genres in a variety of formats (hardcover, paperback, eBooks, audio books).

Top* Traditional Publishers:

  • Random House
  • HarperCollins
  • Simon & Schuster
  • Penguin

Top Christian Traditional Publishers:

  • Thomas Nelson
  • Zondervan
  • Tyndale House
  • B&H
  • Harvest House
  • Moody
  • Multnomah

 

2. Mass Market Publishers

Similar to trade publishers, mass market publishers acquire manuscripts and produce them inexpensively in paperback with cheap paper and glued bindings. These low-cost paperbacks are distributed mostly to discount retailers.

Top Mass Market Publishers

  • Harlequin
  • Dell
  • Avon

 

3. Educational Publishers

Educational publishers publish curriculum-related material used in schools and colleges. Marketing of textbooks is through sales representatives who present the curriculum to educators.

Top Educational Publishers

  • McGraw Hill
  • Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
  • Pearson

 

4. Imprint/Specialty Publishers

An “imprint” publisher is affiliated with a larger (traditional) publishing house. Basically, the publisher is divided into departments called imprints, and the imprints only publish books that are specific to their mission. They specialize in a particular genre and format of book. Examples of imprints are:

  • Viking (imprint of The Penguin Group)
  • Little Brown and Company (imprint of Hachette Book Group)
  • Aladdin (imprint of Simon & Schuster)
  • Bantam (imprint of Random House)
  • Howard (Christian imprint of Simon & Schuster)

 

5. Subsidy Publishers

Subsidy publishers (also known as “Vanity Publishers”) publish and distribute books for which authors pay the cost. The author receives royalties (a very small percentage of the sales), but the publisher owns the copyright and does not pay for promotional expenses, book media, advertising, etc.

 

6. Self-Publishers

Self-publishing is on the rise as authors take complete control of the publishing process. Authors who self-publish are responsible for the full cost of producing and printing the book, as well as distributing and marketing.

Writers have many choices when it comes to publishing their books—not quite as many choices as types of cereal, but several choices nonetheless.

As writer, what type of publisher are you most interested in?

 

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©2011- 2013 Christi McGuire. All Rights Reserved.

*The term “top” indicates well-known publishers and does not insinuate author’s personal opinion or top ranking in sales or income.

From Strangers to Friends to San Jose

friends forever

There are no strangers; only friends you haven’t yet met.
~ William Butler Yeats

 

Do you know the way to San Jose? I’m hopping on a plane this week to find my way there! I’ve never been to California before, but I’m going to visit a stranger.

A stranger turned into a friend!

William Butler Yeats was right! A year ago Adelle Gabrielson, fellow writer, boy-mom, and lover of shoes, was a total stranger. But in a few days we’re going to meet face-to-face for the first time and attend the Mount Hermon Christian Writer’s Conference together.

Two writers on the opposite sides of the country meet online, become friends, and are going to have a “Thelma and Louise” type of weekend. Well, with a better ending, of course!

Isn’t God crazy?

It amazes me, this social media stuff. Reluctantly, I entered into the blogging world almost two years ago. What’s the point? I thought. I just don’t get it.

Good thing God gets it.

God has allowed me to meet awesome people all over the world. Fellow believers and bloggers I’ve met and chatted with over coffee, worked with on publishing projects, met for play dates at the park, comforted over the phone, and rejoiced with them over good news. In return, they have taught me, inspired me, encouraged me, and supported me.

All because of blogging. That is crazy to me!

The Internet has allowed strangers to become friends with a click of the mouse.

And it has spurred on a friendship that includes a long plane flight and two nervous first-timers at a conference in the Santa Cruz mountains. Eeek! If you hear a “boom-bada-boom” don’t worry … it’s just my racing heartbeat as I step on the plane to San Jose. It’s just my breathing into a paper bag as I meet new friends and launch into a new phase of being a writer.

The Mount Hermon Writer’s Conference is one of the premier conferences for Christian writers. As writers we’ll be challenged, taught, inspired, encouraged by fellow writers, editors, agents, and professionals in the publishing biz. I’m excited, nervous, scared, and anxious!

But I get to experirence it all with a friend. Because months ago, God used blogs and Facebook to bring two strangers together as friends. Thank you, God! And thank you, Adelle!

I’ll update on Twitter and Facebook about the conference and our adventures in the  S anta Cruz mountains!

I hope the song is true: “I’ve got lots of friends in San Jose … Do you know the way to San Jose?
Can’t wait to get back to San Jose.”

 

Join me on Facebook and Twitter!

 

©2011- 2013 Christi McGuire. All Rights Reserved.
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A Sneaky Writing Tip to Trick Your Brain

If you’re a writer, most likely you’ve been working on a manuscript of some sort. Fiction, non-fiction, short story, or a magazine article—your ideas have been percolating in your brain and swirling around on paper for a while.

Sometimes a looong while.

You are sick of opening that document with the same title. The same unpublished title of the same unfinished, unpublished book.

The solution? Trick your brain! This tip sounds corny (well, it is!) but it helps to trick your brain and put a smile on your face each time you open that document to work on your manuscript … again.

One of my clients and good friends taught me this trick: rename your document with something goofy, silly, funny—anything but the real title of your manuscript.

For example, my above-mentioned client and friend has worked on a manuscript for many years. She got sick and tired (and tired and sick) of seeing the same title. So she changed it to “Scooby Doo.” Every time she saw the document in her folder, she smiled. Even giggled. It was enough to get her brain rejuvenated and inspire more creativity.

Seeing the title of your book in the document name yet again can be discouraging and set off your writing time with negative thoughts. Instead, bring humor to it. My client’s document soon became Scooby Doo 1, Scooby Doo 2, and so on.

Silly? Maybe. Easy? Definitely!

Bring a smile to your face each time you open that document!

I renamed my book manuscript “Tinkerbell” because it reminds me my youngest daughter flitting around with her wings, wand, and slippers. Always brings a smile to my face!

What are some crazy title names you can create for your manuscript?

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©2011- 2012 Christi McGuire. All Rights Reserved.

 You Might Need an Editor If …

Trying to get published without the help of experts in the publishing industry is like trying to sell your house without a realtor. Can it be done? Sure. But will you face more obstacles along the way without guidance of someone who knows the market? Yes. Are there tips and tricks and industry pointers that experts know that you don’t? You betcha. Is the paperwork more daunting? Yep. Would you be taken more seriously and find better success if you hired a professional?

Definitely.

The same is true in the world of publishing. Professional editors and consultants know what the “biz” is all about—and they can help you navigate your way to success.

If you are seeking publication, you might want to consult an editor if …

    • You don’t understand what the term “industry standard” is. You didn’t realize publishing was an industry, nor do you know what its standards are.
    • You believe having your mom proofread your manuscript is good enough.
    • You think Chicago Manual of Style refers to the local fashion talk show.
    • You write “This book is going to be the next Harry Potter!” in your query letter or try to convince the literary agent that you will be the next J.K. Rowling.
    • You do not research or request writer guidelines before submitting a query letter.
    • You don’t know what writer guidelines, query letter, or proposal mean.
    • You tell the literary agent that you were “born to write” or that you are positive that “God wants you to tell this story.”
    • You pitch your ideas (not a specific manuscript) to a literary agent.
    • You pitch many book manuscripts to a literary agent (not just one).
    • Your query is addressed to “Dear Agent” or “Dear Ma’am or Sir” or “To Whom It May Concern.”
    • You write the word “very” 587 times in the first 50 pages of your manuscript.
    • You blind copy your email query to several agents.
    • You have written a first draft and have not rewritten, edited, rewritten, edited, deleted, started over, written, rewritten, edited … you get the drift, right?
    • You query an agent with a genre he/she doesn’t represent.
    • You don’t know how to format your manuscript according to industry-standard format (there’s that term again!).
    • Your only publishing credit is having your poem in 5th grade published in Mrs. Smith’s monthly newsletter.
    • You are not sure about the difference between single spacing and double spacing.
    • You love to use italics, all caps, and bold font—ALL THE TIME!
    • You write in your query that Kate Hudson or Ryan Reynolds could star in your novel-based movie script.
    • You capitalize a, an, the in your book title (and they are not the first words).
    • You lowercase the word Internet.
    • You’ve never heard of an em dash or en dash but think they might be Olympic sports.
    • You don’t know what a word count is or how to do it—but you are hoping every word does indeed count.
    • Your proposal is in Comic Sans font because it’s your favorite font—it is cute, after all!

If you are passionate enough to put your heart and soul into a manuscript to submit for publication, then take the time to consult a professional to help you along the way. The publishing industry is competitive! The Christian publishing industry is rapidly growing and becoming just as competitive as the secular industry. Agents and publishers want to know why your manuscript is different from others, how you can assure success as an author, and how you can guarantee sales.

Bottom line: the publishing industry is a business. A business’ goal is to make money. If your manuscript looks unprofessional, is filled with grammar mistakes, and has not been submitted according to industry standard, you will not stand out among the thousands of others wanting to get published, too.

Seek professional expertise—an editor is worth the investment in your publishing career!

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©2011- 2012 Christi McGuire. All Rights Reserved.

Grammar and Your Reputation

Who cares about grammar?

If I don’t notice mistakes, no one else will either.

Grammar has nothing to do with my business.

I don’t have time or money to hire an editor.

I know what I’m doing.

Grammar? Who cares about that?

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These are all comments I’ve heard from people about grammar. Does grammar matter? Does it affect your business, sales, product, service, or platform?

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Absolutely.

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Look at the example below. Do you see the glaring mistake?

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(Please note that this is not a post about pro-life vs. pro-choice. This is merely the example I’m using. If you are interested in reading my personal opinion on this matter, please click here.)

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This photo has been passed around on Facebook. The originator of this photo obviously feels passionate. But how is he or she portrayed based on this one sentence? The use of “your” is incorrect. “Your” is possessive (example: your shoe). “You’re” should have been used, which means “you are.” This person’s conviction becomes discredited when a grammar mistake is present. Not many will listen to or be swayed to agree with his or her views. A simple grammar mistake can … pardon my frankness … make you look like an idiot!

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Grammar absolutely affects how people look at you and whether you are effective and successful at what you do. It affects your …

    • Business
    • Website
    • Sales
    • Products
    • Service
    • Platform
    • Debate
    • Argument
    • Case
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Do you get the idea? Whenever you speak or write, how you do so matters—a lot! I’ve worked with many businesses who have asked me to review their websites and business material. What did I find? Mistakes, mistakes, and many more mistakes. All of these companies did not think that their sales, whether products or services, were affected by grammar. However, their reputations are on the line with each customer interaction. Every time a customer views a business’ website, flyer, mailer, advertisement, pamphlet, booklet, contract, or brochure, the company can either look competent and professional, or it can look incompetent and ignorant—all based on grammar.

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Take the time to learn proper grammar, punctuation, word choice, and style. However, if you know you’re not an expert on these matters, then hire someone who is. There are many things I know nothing about—cars, plumbing, electronics. So I either learn about them or hire an expert who knows to get the job done correctly.

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If you want to learn a little more about grammar, check out these previous posts:

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The next time you put out a post, newsletter, website, blog, advertisement—anything!—check for proper grammar. It can affect your reputation more than you think.

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Share with us—what is the funniest grammar mistake
you’ve ever noticed?

Spiritual Style

*Style guides have been updated since this post was published. Be sure to read the updated post here.

I’ve been in Christian publishing for over 10 years, first as an editor at LifeWay Christian Resources, and now as a freelance contributor. In addition to stylebooks, such as the AP Stylebook and the Chicago Manual of Style, those who work in Christian publishing have additional style guides for religious terms. For example, how do you know whether to capitalize “godly” since it refers to God? Is “Bible” always capitalized? One of the best resources is “The Christian Writer’s Manual of Style” by Robert Hudson (Zondervan, 2004). However, each publishing house will have its own style guide, as well. LifeWay may style curriculum and resources differently than Zondervan or Thomas Nelson. But most of them agree on the following styles below.

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Whether you are a writer, editor, or you merely refer to religious and spiritual terms as a Christian, these following tips can serve as a helpful guide.

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Capitalize Words That Refer to God

Examples: Lord, Almighty, Baby Jesus, Christ, Comforter, Counselor, Creator, Father, Godhead, Judge, King, Providence, Redeemer, Savior, Servant, Son, Sovereign, Trinity

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Lowercase General References to Jesus

Examples: friend, person, baby, child, boy, and man (Jesus is my friend.)

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Capitalize Adjectives That Are Part of God’s Name

Examples: Almighty God, Anointed One, Divine Savior, Good Shepherd, Great Physician, Heavenly Father, High Priest, Holy Father, Holy Spirit, Promised One, Sovereign Lord, Suffering Savior, Suffering Servant, Supreme Being, Wise Creator

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Refer to the Holy Spirit as “He,” not “It

Examples: The Holy Spirit comforts me; He brings peace into my life.

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Capitalize pronouns (except relative pronouns) that refer to God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit

Examples:

God gave His Son for our sins.

God loves His children; He loves us with an everlasting love!

When Christ died on the cross, He gave Himself for our sins.

O Lord, You are holy!

Christ is the One in whom we find salvation

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Lowercase Relative Pronouns (who, whom, whoever, whomever) referring to God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit

Examples:

The God whom we serve is faithful.

God, who is most faithful, loves us unconditionally.

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Lowercase Most Derivatives Referring to God, (Whether Nouns or Adjectives)

Examples:

godly (He is a godly man.)

fatherhood messianic

lordship

saviorhood

sonship

Exceptions:

Capitalize these words: Christian, Christlike, God-fearing, Godlike, Godhead

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Always Capitalize “Bible” and “God’s Word”

Examples:

The Holy Bible is God’s Word.

God speaks through His Word, the Bible.

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Always Capitalize “Scripture”

Examples:

The Scripture says, “Great is thy faithfulness!”

The Scriptures are God’s truth to His people.

Read the Scriptures daily to know God.

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Gospel: Whether to Capitalize Depends on Meaning

    • “Gospel” meaning “good news” is not capitalized.
      Examples:
      Tell others the gospel message of Christ!
      I love good old gospel music!
    • “Gospel” meaning first four books of the New Testament is lowercased, except when it is included in the name of the book.
      Examples:
      The four gospels are Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
      The Gospel of John is my favorite book.
      John’s gospel is my favorite book.
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Lowercase Names of Places

Examples: heaven, hell, paradise, garden of Eden, kingdom (God’s kingdom; kingdom of God)

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Which of these styles do you use most in your everyday life?
Do you blog about “God” or how the “Scriptures” impact your life?
Do you have a question about how to style a particular word or phrase?
Let me know by commenting below!