Where Personal and Professional Life Collide...

Dear young and new writers: I realize that you are eager to get going, proud of your brand-new manuscript, and full of your own wonderfulness. All those things are fabulous and I hope that you keep those elements for a very very long time, no matter what this industry throws at you.

However, I would suggest to you that, when looking for a freelance editor to help you on your journey, you keep in mind that we are often booked months ahead of time. Request information before you're ready to send the manuscript out, not the week you need feedback.

Sincerely,

Every freelance editor everywhere.

During my meeting with a client yesterday, I was reminded of how much I really, really love working with writers in an editorial/advisory capacity, and how damn good I am at it (my ego is hesitant in many spots, but my editorial skills I've always been comfortable about -- my weakness was in my refusal to play stupid-to-me office games).

I miss it. Not enough to give up my oh so glam life [/fe] right now, of course. But I do miss the interacting part, the helping-make-book-better part.

( the course of the meeting )

No, don't want to go back to the two hour meetings, the sales presentations, the heartbreak and the heartburn. But... it's nice to stretch those particular muscles on someone else's behalf, every now and again, yeah.