“Your Editor is your friend.”
This is a two-part series featuring great editors I’ve worked with in the publication of my books: Love’s Perfect Surrender and Petrella, the Gillian Princess. For part one, go to: The Rock Star Editorial Perspective – a Two-Part Series.
Next one up…
Part 2: The Midwest Editor Turned Publisher: Brittiany Koren
I met Brittiany through an author friend, Helen Osterman. I was working on my first book, which when it was all said and done, took nine years to write, over 27 versions of the novel, and two rounds of professional editing done by Brittiany Koren.
I hated rewriting, but Brittiany was patient, and she encouraged me to experiment and develop my protaganist’s voice so that it captured the character’s journey and purpose.
It was through Brittiany that I was able to see my vision come to fruition for Love’s Perfect Surrender. Brittiany helped me with my wording, story arc, and various social media outlets to get the book out. And now, she is living her dream of having her own publishing house, I couldn’t be more proud of how far she’s come in this industry.
And so, without further ado, let me tell you more about Brittiany, her editing style and how she launched Written Dreams Publishing.
- What type of genres do you prefer to edit?
It’s easier to explain which I prefer not to. Text books and graphic novels. I have many years of experience in editing nonfiction and fiction. However, my favorites are mystery, romance, historical, sci-fi, fantasy, and memoirs.
- What made you want to be an editor?
So here’s a funny story, I didn’t plan to be an editor. I wanted to write. Being a writer was my number one dream after finding Prince Charming at age 16. However, I learned while working at Tekno Books that I had a natural knack for editing, so I went with it. I did an editor apprenticeship shortly after I started as an office assistant in 1997. With the help of my editing mentor, I spent hours studying manuscripts of different genres—both fiction and nonfiction—and learned the elements of how to help an author tell the best story. Years later, I realized what I really wanted to do was make a difference by publishing unique books, and that desire led me to become a publisher.
- What kind of editor are you?
I’m the type of editor that will spend 170 hours on a manuscript (I just did this a few weeks ago) to make a novel the best it can be, in the author’s voice. (An author’s voice is unique to them, similar to how a person speaks, but in this case, it’s an author’s writing style.) I don’t like to rewrite the author’s style, but instead, teach the author how they can better show the reader their story. I’m a developmental content editor by trade; however I try to catch copy-editing mistakes as I review, as well. It’s one of the unique things about my style. I try to catch all the errors, not just the big, glaring ones in the plot or character make-up.
- What’s your editorial style?
I’m a very hands-on editor. During the editorial process, I’ll send the author first edits, second edits, and sometimes up to a third round of edits, depending on what we both agree needs to be fixed in the manuscript.
- What is your editor process when you start a project?
I never read the whole book before I start editing. I read it as a reader would and edit as I go. This helps me get inside the author’s head and edit the book as they would—if they were the editor. It’s so important to know your author’s voice as an editor. When a submission comes in, I’ll have someone else read several chapters to see if it’s worth pursuing. If my first reader doesn’t reject the book, I’ll skim a few pages looking over the author’s writing style. I can tell very quickly whether or not the author has it together. If yes, and the book fits within our parameters, we’ll contract.
- How do you edit?
I like to edit on my laptop in a comfortable setting, usually in a comfy chair with a cat or two beside me. I prefer to edit between the hours of 7 PM and midnight. These hours are quieter and allow me to get into the author’s voice the best. I use track changes in Microsoft Word. The program allows me to show the author the corrections I make. I can also add comments in the margin to ask the author questions or give examples. I have to always remember that an editor is someone who is giving someone else their opinion on their story. The writer shouldn’t take my opinion personally. I’m just here to help them be the best writer they can be.
- What style guide do you use?
I was given the Chicago Manual of Style by my editing mentor, and that was what we used at Tekno Books. I continue to use it as a standard for Written Dreams’ books.
- What’s your turnaround time?
Each book has its own time frame. Because I work in so many different genres, some books take me 20 hours to edit, some much longer. It all depends on how much love the manuscript needs.
- What’s your pet peeve?
If a writer pushes the Suspension of Disbelief (SOD), it’s frustrating for the reader. It’s rare for me to have more than five comments in a book that are related to suspension of disbelief. Writers need to take these comments seriously. If they don’t, it’s a way for them to lose readers unfortunately. As a writer, you need to know your characters, know what they are willing to do/not do, and know your facts of the story. If you know all that, you shouldn’t have any SOD issues. ?
- What are your strengths to editing?
I put 110% into any book I work on. I build a relationship with the author and try to understand the importance and reason why they wrote their book. When I know that for sure, I can help them tell the best story they can.
- What are your weaknesses when it comes to editing?
I want to help everyone, and I know I can’t. It’s really hard to turn down a writer that isn’t ready to publish.
- What have you learned is the most crucial aspect in an author/editor relationship?
You must be willing to compromise whether you are an author or the editor.
13. What has been the best experience and why?
One of my most favorite experiences has been working with you, Chiara. You appreciated the edits. I saw your writing grow from the things I tried to show and teach you. That’s the best result for me anytime I’m editing a book. If I can help give that author a new perspective on their writing, or show them some new tricks, that’s gold.
14. What has been the worst experience and why?
I don’t think I’m at liberty to say. ?
15. How long did you do editing solely in your editorial service business?
I worked as a freelance editor from 1999-2016. I sold my first anthology to DAW Books in 1999, titled Single White Vampire Seeks Same, and that was one of my first endeavors as an editor.
In 2015, I was the editor for an anthology called: Women of Today – Life, Love, and Family. The Journeys and Stories of Six Strong Women . (The Love’s Perfect Surrender story is included in the anthology.)
And, most recently, Katharine Nohr’s Tri-Angles Series.
16. When not editing, what do you like to do in your personal time?
I’m a TV junkie. I love watching movies of all genres, and binge-watching TV series. There’s a method to my madness. I mostly do this to see what’s current to the market. Popular themed TV/movies usually go hand in hand in popularity with books.
Here’s a secret. I also play Pokémon Go. (Gasp! I know.) The game helps me to relax, get active, and be outside, exploring the parks and downtown area where I live. I do these things together with my family. That way, they don’t think I’m constantly working. ?
17. You edited Love’s Perfect Surrender by Chiara Talluto, tell us about that experience. What did you learn and what would you have changed/amended?
With every book, I learn something. Love’s Perfect Surrender gave me a gift in that it came to me at a time when I needed a “relationship” book. I learned so much about myself and my relationship with my husband by working on that book. Understanding the reasons why you wrote it, Chiara, helped me, too. It will always have a very special place in my heart. It made me realize that you can’t take others for granted. You never know how long they’ll be in your life.
The only thing I would’ve done differently is meet with you in person during the editorial process. I think, when possible, it’s nice to be able to chat about some of the manuscript issues in person, verses through email or on the phone. Editing is such a personal experience. Each book can help me as an editor grow in a different way. Knowing the author, having a relationship with that author helps an editor to really understand who they are, their voice, and why they are trying to share their book with the world.
18. What made you transition from editing to publishing books?
I spent 13 years working for the largest book packager in the world, Marty Greenberg of Tekno Books. At the time, we worked with best-selling NYT authors, agents, and every major publisher. It was a dream job to have in the industry. I personally worked on over 2,000 books while there and learned everything from acquisitions, contracts, scheduling, content editing, proofing, cover design, writing a great back cover copy, and so much more. It was there that I learned how to be a developmental content editor.
I met Virginia McCullough while still working at Tekno Books, and she and I worked on several projects together. We had a good working relationship. After I left Tekno, I stayed in touch with Virginia. She and three other authors, C.C. Harrison, Terry Odell, and Dorothy McFalls provided the push I needed. They believed in me wholeheartedly at a time when I was terrified to break out on my own. They, along with mystery writer, Ed Gorman, who gave me his blessing, told me I’d do well to be in business. And so, in 2011, I started my own company, Written Dreams, first working with indie authors editing their books.
I won’t lie. It was very tough. For the first three years, my family and I ate so many pancakes because it was all I could afford. Being a freelance editor doesn’t come with benefits, or a handbook on how to run a business. In 2015, another life event happened for me. We lost 11 people in my family, including my father. It was a tragic year. Later that year, I met Katharine M. Nohr, and she was a true blessing in my life when I needed it. It was because of her series, the Tri-Angles Series, that I made the leap to become a print publisher.
In 2016, I made the choice not to take on any more freelance editing jobs and focus on becoming a publisher. Traditional publishers had turned down Katharine M. Nohr’s series because it was a “niche” series. I took one look at it, and although I understood where those publishers were coming from, I believed that this author and her series would be a success. My gut feeling has paid off.
I’ve realized the importance of authors needing a publisher (distribution and marketing purposes) and created our imprint, Written Dreams Publishing so we could publish unique titles. I still do the content and developmental edits on every book that Written Dreams publishes.
19. What has your experience been now that you have a publishing house?
There is so much to learn. Technology is constantly changing. It’s not just books anymore. Its digital books, audio books, different types of ebooks, blogs, posting on social media. Marketing a book is not a sole effort anymore. The author, publisher, wholesalers, book stores, and the publisher’s marketing team needs to be involved for book sales to be successful. Every day I learn something new. I’m grateful for the opportunity to be doing what I love. It is a constant challenge for me.
To date, we’ve published 22 titles with 20 books scheduled to be published in 2018. Last year marked 20 years in the publishing industry for me, and I couldn’t be happier. I’m living my dream every day.
20. How does an author contact you for editing/publishing?
Written Dreams Publishing is a small press publisher located in Green Bay, Wisconsin. We publish fiction and nonfiction titles. We also have a virtual book store through our website too.
Authors can contact me through the Written Dreams website’s Contact Us page.
Currently, we are taking submissions for Autumn/Winter 2019. If an author would like an opinion on whether or not their book is ready for submission, they can email me and request a review of their work. It doesn’t cost them anything. I will review up to 5 pages and give them an opinion on whether or not I think their book is publishable. If it isn’t, I’ll give them a few tips on what they need to do to make it better.
