1. Can you tell us a little about the lines you edit for at The Wild Rose Press?

I edit for Champagne (adult contemporary with at least one consummated love scene).  I’ve also helped out with Historical and Last Rose of Summer (adult contemporary with heroines who have more life experience).  And I’m also Senior Editor of Climbing Rose, the YA line, which is now closed to submissions.

2. You are also Editor-In-Chief at Leap Books, a new publisher for teens.  Can you tell us a little bit about them?

Leap Books, a new publisher and a member of the Children's Book Council, is committed to producing quality fiction for teens and tweens.  Leap hopes to introduce fresh new voices to the world, to get teens excited and eager to read more, to encourage reluctant readers to pick up books, and to produce high-quality books with artistic appeal.  Our Surge line for teens (ages 14-19) will feature paranormals, contemporaries, inspirationals, and mysteries.  Our Frolic line for tweens (ages 10-14) will focus on the same categories, but we'll be putting out lighter paranormals for this age group.  We'd also like to branch out with fantasy, historical, and multicultural titles.

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

I’ve always been a grammar geek, so I took grad school courses in editing.  I’ve now spent 20+ years editing and writing for various companies, but I have to admit YA is my favorite genre.

With the exception of the long hours and low pay, I love almost everything about being an editor.  It’s exciting to discover new voices, to work with an author to polish a manuscript until it shines, and to see the finished manuscript.

My least favorite part of the job is sending rejections.  I’d love to be able to publish every manuscript that crosses my desk, but many people send their manuscripts way too soon.  I wish they’d spend time with a critique group and on honing their craft before they approach us.  Many rejections can be prevented if authors let several knowledgeable writers go over their manuscripts first.  [Tip:  Never send out a manuscript that hasn’t been critiqued by at least three skilled writers/editors/proofreaders.]

4. What kind of manuscripts are you actively seeking?

Leap Books accepts submissions only from agents or from attendees at conferences where our editors speak.  I’d love to see both YA and tween books with fresh voices.  Leap novels may have romantic elements (many of our books do), but it’s not a requirement.  We’re looking for more inspirationals, mysteries, multicultural stories, and humorous contemporaries.  Light paranormal for tweens and younger teens would also be welcome.

For Wild Rose Press, I’m also looking for strong voice and characterization.  The love story must be central, but I prefer multi-layered stories with a strong plot that drives the romance and provides character motivation.  All Champagne submissions must have high sexual tension and at least one complete love scene.

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

At Leap Books, all submissions go through a two-level process prior to approval by an editor. A committee composed of editors, educators, librarians, & marketers who are familiar with the target audience read the manuscript.  If they agree it has potential, it goes to a teen focus group for review.  Only those submissions that get a unanimous and enthusiastic thumbs-up from both panels will be considered for acceptance.  For more information, visit our submissions page at http://www.leapbks.com/submissions.htm.

At Wild Rose Press, check the submissions guidelines for the line you’re interested in submitting to.  Queries should be sent to queryus@thewildrosepress.com.  When queries come in, they are sent to the Senior Editor of the line, who assigns them to an editor.  The editor reads the query and synopsis, then requests the partial and later the full, if interested. If an editor wants to contract a book, s/he may send it to a reader for a second opinion. Then the manuscript goes on to the Senior Editor with a Request for Contract.  Editors must explain the reasons for their choice and answer questions about the quality of the writing, suitability for the line, etc.  Authors with excellent writing skills have a much better chance of being accepted at this stage of the process.

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

I work with each of my authors quite closely and am very hands on.  I go over the whole manuscript multiple times, making suggestions each time.  And I have a variety of handouts I send to authors on topics such as writing dialogue, cutting backstory, starting with bang, or improving punctuation.  Many authors have told me that they learned more about writing from me than they ever had from classes, books, or crit groups.  I’ve always noticed that the second submissions I get from authors I’ve worked with are much stronger and more polished.

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

As a passionate environmentalist, I think e-publishing is a terrific way to get books to readers.  And for publishers, it means they can get a variety of books out with very little expenditure, so it’s a win-win situation.  I must admit, though, I love holding a physical book in my hands, so I think there’s room for both.

8. 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?

For me, it’s all about voice.  I’ve taken on projects that needed a lot of work because I loved the voice so much.  And I was never sorry I did.  Another thing that catches my eye is humor.  If you can make me laugh aloud, I’ll have a hard time turning down the manuscript, even if it needs a lot of revision.

9. What advice do you have for writers who will pitch to you at Spring Fling?

Don’t be nervous.  I’m looking to see you succeed in your writing life, and I promise I don’t bite.  Hone your story down to two or three sentences.  In those sentences tell me:  your heroine’s/hero’s goal and motivation as well as the main conflict that keeps them apart.  Feel free to bring your first page so I can get a feel for your writing style.

I may have some questions for you. So take a deep breath, relax, and think of this as a conversation with a friend.

 

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