Like any good sub, the writer does her very best work. Then she submits.
The Editor will respond at a time of Her choosing. The writer may wait weeks — or even months — for the Editor’s attention.
Waiting is good for the submissive writer. Patience, little writer. Sweet patience.
At last, the Editor has made Her decision regarding the writer’s submission, and she writhes in spasms of delight at the acceptance. Yes, Editor, yes!
The fun has only just begun. Now the writer must learn discipline. Or be disciplined. The Editor corrects a few insignificant things in the manuscript to make it more pleasing to Her. Like changing the hero’s name. Honestly, what were you thinking, writer? Twenty lashes with the Editor’s red pen!
This ending isn’t climatic enough. The heroine changes her mind too easily. The hero hasn’t groveled enough.
Lash, lash, lash!
And what does the good little writer reply? Oh, Editor, it feels so good to learn from your mighty pen. Lash me again!
~ * ~
In all seriousness, I absolutely love my editors. They’ve helped me grow so much over the years, and I’m constantly learning new things. Writing for publication does involve a complex relationship rather like BDSM.
TRUST is key. In a safe and consensual scene, the submissive chooses to submit to a Dominant because of trust. Likewise, the Dominant trusts the submissive to use the safeword when needed. A sub shouldn’t blindly do anything the Dom says regardless of fear, pain, and limits. The power is really in the sub’s hands and the Dom relies on the sub to give the safeword when the play is going too far.
It’s the same with a writer and editor relationship. When you’re working with an editor, you trust that the editor wants the best for the manuscript — yet the writer doesn’t have to blindly accept every single change. Edits require a back-and-forth discussion. If a change causes the writer pause, it’s her duty to bring up the issue with the editor so they can discuss it in detail.
A good Dominant pushes the submissive to grow and explore her limits in a safe and secure environment. My editors have pushed me to go where I normally wouldn’t have gone on my own. It’s painful, sometimes, to explore those limits. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve backed off from something because it’s too edgy or scary, only to have my editors call me on it. They’ve helped me push through that barrier and the story’s better for it. As I’m a better writer for it.
With all the opportunities in self-publishing, it’s tempting to decide to go it alone. While I do intend to explore self-publishing (I’ve only re-released works from a prior publisher who closed its doors so far), I fully intend to continue submitting, both to my current publishers and also new opportunities as they arise. I want to continue pushing that envelope and growing — the way an editor can help me polish my craft.
There’s so much to learn…when you submit.
[Ed. Joely Sue is giving away a digital copy of Yours to Take, so leave her a meaningful question or comment to be in the running!]
Joely Sue:
I really loved your book “Hurt Me So Good.” I’ve read it several times and thought that the sadism was handled very deftly and very temptingly. I also quite liked “Golden” although I wanted it to be longer. Cute analogy. Please keep writing!
Fabulous article – I was chuckling as I read it, but it makes perfect sense. My question for you – as with a good BDSM relationship, how do you go about finding that perfect Editor with whom you know you can trust and build a connection with? Do you have the opportunity to interview each other, or do you have to give up all control from the beginning, trusting that it will be a good relationship?
A huge thank you to The Good, The Bad, and The Unread for having me!
Beret, thank you so much – I’m glad you enjoyed Victor despite his wicked ways. 🙂 I might visit the Golden world again someday – it was one of those grab me/consume me ideas that came in a flash. I’m sure if I watch Curse of the Golden Flower again I’ll find new inspiration.
JennH, I researched the houses before I submitted to them, including figuring out who edited what so I knew what each editor enjoyed. I also followed their blogs and Twitter accounts as much as possible. Unless you’re answering a specific call for submissions, you’re probably going to fall into general slush the first time, so it’s the luck of the draw. I’ve been extremely lucky in that I’ve had excellent editors. Each of them has taught me different things along the way. My recommendation is to follow the editors online as much as possible, and when you query, say something specific about the editor(s) you’ve enjoyed and why. Your chances of possibly falling into their inbox will probably go up!