At the writers conference, I interviewed Ally Robertson, editor with The Wild Rose Press and suspense author. She is a wealth of information since she works on the editing side as well as the writing side. I learned so many tidbits on how to improve my manuscript from just a brief conversation with her. Before I share the interview, here is her biography.
Bio
Ally Robertson has been an editor with The Wild Rose Press since they opened in 2006. She edits mainly for the suspense line but is open to other genres. She is also a freelance editor and author, with more than twenty-five published titles. She’s partial to all things dark and creepy…the scarier the better. She loves meeting authors, discovering fabulous new stories and helping authors realize their dreams. Many years divorced, with three grown children, she lives alone in Edmond, Oklahoma. She adores editing, writing, reading, Elvis Presley, the MLB, the NFL, and watching her favorite television shows—which she calls ‘research’ so it doesn’t seem as though she’s wasting time.
Interview
As an editor for the suspense line, do you only edit suspense novels or do you edit other genres too?
Mostly suspense, but I edit others. Especially if some of my authors write something in another genre, they stick with the same editor. But most of the new stuff that comes in, I only do suspense.
If hiring a freelance editor, is it preferable that an author finds an editor who specializes in their genre?
The only thing would be for historical. Since there is a lot of historical facts an editor should know, they might need someone specific to their genre. I am also knowledgeable in paranormal, YA, and Women’s Fiction.
There are a lot of editors out there. What’s some tips for how to find freelance editors who know what they’re doing?
I would definitely ask for referrals. Ask for other people they worked with. Have them do a sample edit instead of just sending your manuscript without having them give a sample of their work. Also, a lot of editors charge thousands and thousands of dollars, and an author doesn’t need to pay that much to get good editing. So, be careful how much you pay for edits.
Is there something an author can do, besides just being a better writer, that would make your job easier?
I get a lot of authors who don’t want to take my suggestions, and that is fine because it’s their book. At Wild Rose Press, I have the final say because their publishing with our company and they have to listen to us. But for my freelance clients, it is up to them because it’s their book and they’re going to publish it on their own or submit it to a publisher. If they don’t want to take my advice, then that’s their business. I would suggest they be less sensitive, more thick-skinned, and more open to suggestions. It’s their book and their vision so if they don’t agree with my suggestions then that’s their business.
I actually had one freelance author that I edited. He became a wine connoisseur in this wine club, and they went to all these different vineyards. He had a mystery, but a lot the story was about him going to these various vineyards. It was very travel brochure. He focused too much, I thought, on the vineyards and the wine tasting. I suggested he cut back a lot of that, and he said it was very important to him and he really wanted to leave it in. I said fine.
Well, he came back to me later after it was published and said I should have listened to you because I’ve had some reviews that said it was a good book but that there was way too much time spent at the winery. A lot of time, they have something in their heads and they don’t want to change it, but I would just say be open.
What makes a good author and editor relationship?
I would say knowing up front your expectations. I like for the authors I work with to tell me if there is something specific they want me to watch for and to have realistic expectations of the time frame. Also, realistic expectations that I’m not going to suddenly make you into a bestselling author. I can offer guidance and help you polish your manuscript, but I can’t guarantee any success. So, I just think managing their expectations and each party knowing what they can expect from each other.
What’s one thing an author can do to self-edit before handing you the manuscript?
I think just being careful and thorough. I suggest they read it from the last page to the first. When you read a manuscript chronologically, you are caught up in the story, and your mind tells you things are there when they may not be. A word is wrong or missing or whatever. If they read it from the last page to the first, it sort of gives a different view. So, there are a few tips like that. They can also have Word read it to them and that helps them catch it. Just go over it. Don’t turn in a mess that you haven’t even gone through.
You are an author as well as an editor. What’s your latest project?
The latest few stories I’ve published have been short horror stories. I’m part of a Friday the 13th group of 13 authors, and we each write a story—a Friday the 13th murder story. It’s called A Friday the 13th Story Series. My latest one is Little Darlings. If you want to check that out, I write under Alicia Dean. All my works can be found on Amazon, and, hopefully, there’s something that you like. I have some romantic suspense, straight suspense, and then paranormal, which I always infuse suspense into. That’s my first love.
As an editor and a writer, what’s one piece of advice you would give to aspiring authors?
Keep writing. A lot of authors write one manuscript, and they put all their eggs in that basket, and they think this is going to be my key to success. They put too much into that first manuscript. Be productive and prolific and continue to write. Not only do you hone your craft and get better, but it’s hard to be successful with one manuscript out there. You have to have a bigger body of works. So, I just say mainly keep writing, but also just be willing to learn and hone your craft. I’ve been doing this for decades, but I still learn something every day.
Final Thoughts
Ally was such a gem to talk with at the conference. Her years of experience and willingness to help authors be their best is a powerful combination. I hope my future editor is as knowledgeable as her. I already used her tip about having Microsoft Word read the manuscript aloud to me, and it’s caught some major mistakes I missed in my previous twenty-something reads. You should definitely try it when you finish editing and are doing a final proofreading pass of the book.
Thanks for reading!
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