The Author-Editor Relationship

Recently, my local chapter of ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers) asked me and my longtime editor, Karen Schurrer, to speak about the author-editor relationship.

Karen Schurrer has edited Christian fiction for almost twenty years, primarily for Bethany House Publishers. She has worked with me on all twelve of my Bethany House novels in one capacity or other, along with my acquisitions editor, Raela Schoenherr. In the presentation, Karen shared a fun fact that my next book, The Bride of Ivy Green (November 2018) was the 100^th novel she’d line edited for Bethany House (along with many other copy edits and proofreads).

During the talk, we each shared our perspectives on working together through the various stages of the editorial process. I shared from my experiences of having been an editor and then an author. (I was a fiction editor for 12 years, and was blessed to work with several talented authors, like Beverly Lewis, Lisa Wingate, Deeanne Gist, Michael Phillips, and others.)  Spending time on “both sides of the desk” taught me a lot.

Julie’s philosophy of working with editors:

• Editing and writing are distinct skills; everyone needs an editor (or 2 🙂 ).
• I’m glad to have big-picture editors as well as detail-oriented copy editors; there is far too much for one pair of eyes to catch.
• You don’t have to agree 100%, but give editors’ input serious consideration.
• Editors are only trying to make an author’s book better.
• There is great value in teamwork. I would never want to go it alone.

Karen’s  philosophy of working with authors:

• First Do No Harm.
• Care about each project and author.
• Karen sees her role as a supportive “book aunt.” (Not the parent. The author is the ultimate decision-maker.)
• Karen believes in working in tandem with authors. (Hence the name of her new business. Karen recently left Bethany House and started Tandem Editorial to work as a freelance editor and author coach.)
• Be Flexible
• Communication is key

Karen offered this advice to writers:

• Communicate. Your editor is not a mind reader. Ask questions, brainstorm.
• Editors are eager to help your story be the best it can be.
• Don’t panic when you receive a lot of comments/notes on your first draft.
• Ask for clarification as needed.
• Express concerns, frustrations, and compliments, too. Ongoing, honest feedback to editors keeps small problems from growing.
• Do what you say you will do in the time agreed to—or talk to editor and revise the plan ASAP.
  

  Julie & Karen talking away. (Photo by Gabrielle Meyer)

Karen and I also addressed what agents and editors are looking for, when and how to work with a freelance editor, and more. Finally, we wrapped it up by taking questions. We received many positive comments from attendees who enjoyed the evening and found the material helpful. Working on the presentation with Karen and thinking back over my long relationship with her was a great experience for me as well. It made me appreciate her all over again! And it makes me doubly glad I’ve dedicated my next book, The Bride of Ivy Green, to her.

Does anything about the author-editor relationship surprise you? If you are a writer, do you have a good working relationship with your editor(s)? Hope so! I think it makes all the difference.

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Julie Klassen

JULIE KLASSEN loves all things Jane—Jane Eyre and Jane Austen. She worked in publishing for sixteen years and now writes full time. Three of her novels have won the Christy Award for Historical Romance. Julie and her husband have two sons and live in St. Paul, Minnesota.

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