Even after proofing our final edits, we authors have all gone through “OMG, what have they done to my story!” upon receiving our author copies. But submitting a short story for an anthology, leaving your baby in the hands of a stranger to do with as he or she sees fit, and then waiting, praying the editor, at the very least, keeps the original intent of the story intact, can be nerve wracking and downright frightening.
Experiencing this myself recently, I wanted to take a moment to comment on how impressed I was when I received my author copy for BOYS OF THE BITE, a Gay Vampire Anthology, from Ravenous Romance. I had not worked with Cecilia Tan until now, and after reading over my story, VAMMP: Conquering Dissension, I just wanted to express how grateful I am to have her as the anthology’s editor. Not only did my story and its meaning remain intact, with Ms. Tan’s strategic (and minimal) placement of a couple words here and there, my story turned out better than I could have imagined.
Thank you, Cecilia.
edited by Cecilia Tan
ISBN 9-781-60777-178-4
| Enjoy, |
| Bryl |
August 13th, 2009 at 12:54 pm
Well, for what it is worth, I don’t believe an editor has the right to change ANYTHING in my story without running it by me for permission. I’m the author. It’s my story. My name will appear on it. I’m the one who gets the praise if it’s wonderful, and the ridicule if it’s not. A reviewer is not going to say, “it would have worked so much better if that one word had been different, but it’s not the author’s fault because the editor changed it.” And in my opinion, an editor who does make changes without permission is altogether unprofessional.
Don’t get me wrong, my editors often suggest changes, and often they are improvements. But, always, the final decision is up to me.
Victor
August 13th, 2009 at 1:05 pm
I understand, Victor. This is my second experience with anthology edits, and both have been handled similarly — the editor takes on the responsibility for editing all the stories, and us authors are left in the dark until the final copy is released. Not sure if all anthologies are handled this way, but I’m glad my experience with editor Cecilia Tan was a good one.
I know, with my single works, I get to review the edits before finalized. I’m guessing that anthologies are handled differently?
The verdict is still out with my story, Exposed, in STARbooks Nerdvana Anthologyedited by Fred Towers. I’m waiting anxiously to see how it turns out.
Thanks for responding, Victor.
August 13th, 2009 at 1:18 pm
I’m glad your experience turned out better than mine. Great cover btw.
August 13th, 2009 at 1:35 pm
Bryl,
I’ve been lucky enough to have several stories published in a variety of anthologies and it’s always a nail biting experience. When you find an editor who does it right, you tend to want him/her again, often. LOL I’m so glad you’ve had a good experience. Hopefully, you’ll have many more.
Hugs
August 13th, 2009 at 1:35 pm
I’ve been in a couple of anthologies for Samhain. They’ve been handled a little differently in that each story was released separately as an e-book first, then bound together in an anthology for print later on. Since they were released individually, my editors worked on them as individual stories with full cooperation on edits.
I did give a couple of very short stories (less than 3K) to a charity anthology that weren’t edited and appeared in the anthology as I’d submitted them. It’s been a while, so I can’t remember the contract specifications, but if they’d needed edits, I would definitely have wanted to know about them beforehand.
I’m with Victor. Any and all changes MUST come through me.
August 13th, 2009 at 2:00 pm
Of all the anthologies I’ve participated in, I was actively involved in the edits of my story. At no time would I have tolerated being left in the dark, and I darn sure wouldn’t have submitted again to any e-pub that left me out of that process. My name is on the line with every book, and it has happened that an editor mistook what I had written and suggested a change that would have reversed my intention of that scene. Call me arrogant, but I will be involved.
August 13th, 2009 at 2:48 pm
Sorry to hear that, Barb. The cover is nice, isn’t it.
August 13th, 2009 at 2:50 pm
Yes. If Cecilia edits another anthology, I would gladly sub to whichever publisher took it on. I’ve heard so many horror stories that I was surprised with the great editing I received. Thanks for stopping in, Jude!
August 13th, 2009 at 2:52 pm
I understand, and that’s why I brought this up. Like I replied to Jude, I’ve heard of the nightmares some authors have gone through…I tend to lean toward the majority here. I’d rather have more say in the editing, only it was never approached as an option in this case.
August 13th, 2009 at 2:54 pm
I do believe that arrogance, though often found hand-in-hand, is quite different than pride. Pride in one’s work enough to see it safely and carefully from conception through birth is really a good thing if you ask me, Lena. Thanks for stopping by.