When I started working as an independent editor, I continued to work with some of the authors I'd signed up at Random House. I also edited writers literary agents referred to me and some who had heard of me from other writers. Almost all my work in recent years has come from referrals -- more than a hundred writers, some of them on multiple books. I've worked mostly with novelists and occasionally with non-fiction authors on mysteries, suspense novels, thrillers, literary novels, young adult novels. memoirs, history, humor, and biography.
My aim -- what I love to do -- is to help novelists develop a fresh and clear story-telling voice; invent plots that hook the reader and pull her on through twists and surprises; create credible, interesting, well-motivated characters; use dialogue that is engaging and natural, and not overuse it; take advantage of genre conventions and violate them only with inspiration and care; write strong, fresh, dramatic scenes; and maintain a fast pace, believability, and reader involvement throughout. Whether I'm working with a best-selling author or a novice, I make a commitment to do all I can to help the writer improve his work.
I treat all the books I work on as if I'd signed them up for publication. I write each author an editorial letter that includes a critique of how well the book achieves the author's intentions and an analysis of the book's commercial potential. I make extensive notes on the manuscript (almost always on the Word version), very specific notes that detail what I think needs improvement and my best ideas for how to make the book better. I follow through by working with the writer on revisions, and when the book is ready, I consult with the author about how to find representation and publication.
Some of what I do is called developmental editing; some is called line editing; there are other names for the range of work I do for writers. No matter what it's called, I do in every case what the book requires, and I do it in whatever way is most useful for the writer. The goal of all my work continues to be helping people write better books and get them published.
