1. Tell me about your publishing house, Avon/HarperCollins.

At Avon, an imprint of HarperCollins, we may be best known for our lush, richly emotional and sexy historical romances (we have been and are the home to authors such as Kathleen Woodiwiss and Johanna Lindsay, as well as Julia Quinn, Suzanne Enoch and Eloisa James), but we also have fantastic, bestselling contemporary and paranormal authors (Lynsay Sands, Jeaniene Frost, Rachel Gibson etc.) on our list.  We are always looking for fresh talent, original voices and stories that make us forget we are reading from a computer screen in our New York office.

2. How did you become an editor and what are your favorite/least favorite things about your job?

I got my degree in Print & Multimedia Journalism because I thought I wanted to write.  Turns out, I really just love to read.  Luckily, the internships I'd had and my coursework weren't too far off the mark, so I was able to apply for jobs in publishing. I moved to NYC after graduation and sent out as many applications and went to as many informational interviews as possible.  And then I got lucky. J

My favorite part of my job is being surrounded by so many other people who love books.  I get to have a front row seat to an industry that has supplied endless hours of happiness to so many. I also have the opportunity to work with fun and fabulous authors.  At this point, I think I am still too "fresh" in the industry to have too many least favorites.

3. What kind of manuscripts are you actively seeking?

I'm always on the look out for Regency and Victorian historical romances, dark paranormals, and small town contemporaries.  In addition to romance, I'm looking for great commercial women's fiction that take on important and meaty topics.

4. Walk me through the acquisitions process if you can.

Each acquisition comes about differently (depending if the author is already published, has an agent etc.) But here's the quick and easy general answer:  So we've read the submission from an agent, and we just love it/see great potential.  Often we'll get a second read from another editor, before bringing it up to our editorial director Carrie Feron.   Then we look at numbers and see what sort of offer makes sense.  There's usually a bit of back and forth between an editor and an agent on money, how many books to contract, sub rights etc.—but once that's all hammered out and the agent accepts the offer, we are able to file the paperwork. With the contract signed and signing check sent out, we get right to work on everything from editing the first draft to scheduling, planning cover art etc.

5. How closely do you work with your authors after the sale?  Are you hands on?

While it would be delightful to be able to sit and read and edit all day, editors in today's publishing industry have hands in a little bit of everything.  Meaning, we work quite closely with all our authors on everything from the actual editing, to coming up with cover ideas, back cover copy, working with publicity etc.  So yes, everyone at Avon is quite hands on.

6. What do you think of the current trend in e-publishing?

I think it's a very exciting and challenging time for publishers.  Harpercollins has been at the forefront of offering e-books alongside printed over the past few years, and is constantly working on ways to maximize the potential of this area…which is so vast for authors and publishers alike. Personally, I still prefer to hold a book (I mean, I'd be way too nervous to read from an e-reader while taking a bubble bath) ;), but when it comes to reading manuscripts on submission or when I want to do reading while traveling I do like using the work-issued e-reader.

One of the biggest challenges going forward is the same issue that the music industry has faced for so many years now—illegal pirating and downloading. Authors work so hard at what they do, and I'm not sure all readers always understand how downloading something you haven't paid for is, while convenient, stealing from a writer you admire.  

7. Do you have a favorite element of writing (like voice or dialogue) and if that's great does it make you more willing to help craft the rest of a manuscript?

If a writer has a fabulous voice and has a natural instinct for creating chemistry then I am always more willing to consider more heavily even if the story isn't entirely wonderful.  Certain things can be taught, but voice and the ability to make a reader's heart stop are something special.

8. What advice do you have for writers who will pitch to you at Spring Fling?  Any pet peeves?

Try to relax! (Easier said than done, I know.)  Know your story and its hook—be able to talk about your project—if you can do that, then the delivery doesn't really matter.  If memorizing makes you feel more at ease, then go for it…but it's so not necessary.  Editors are people too! I love books, I love romance, and I enjoy hearing all the great, new ideas out there!

9. A little bird told us that you are a tennis player (woe unto you, lol) so that leads to the lightning round:

Federer or Nadal?  Federer.  Venus or Serena?  Venus.  Clay or Hardcourt?  Hardcourt. Indoors or Outdoors?  Outdoors.  What's your favorite tournament?  Hmmm, love watching Wimbledon, but have only been to see US Open.  Will you bring your racquet to Chicago?  Are there courts at the hotel?  I rarely get to play since moving to NYC—combo of not finding someone to hit with and the cost of using NYC public courts.  What racquet brand do you use?  Head.

 

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