Quote:
Originally Posted by gmw
I wish you hadn't used the phrase "resident pros", ApK, it makes a person very self-conscious about responding to what you wrote.
|
Ha. I didn't mean to make you feel like your response was a binding ruling. All of us regular participants here are "resident" and you "pros" are those who, in the interest of making a living or a career out of something, have probably put more effort and attention to finding the facts than those of use who just read a magazine or did a Google search. So no pressure.
As one of the "non-pros," I'll say that some of Cin's comments, particularly concerning character introduction, sounded more in the realm of what you called "developmental editing." And while it would indeed usually be the author choosing to take or reject any such advice, and executing any changes, isn't the roll of the typical editor who works with authors at a BPH, to give just that sort of advise to an author, based on their experience with the market and similar works?
Recently, for example, when "Go Set A Watchman" was announced, there was much talk of how Harper Lee's editor drove substantive changes in "To Kill a Mockingbird" that made it the story it was.
That's certainly the impression I get from watching TV shows about writers and editors, like that episode of 'Columbo,' "Publish or Perish."
You, gmw, as an indie author, apparently had that role filled by the experienced reviewer.
ApK
(only ever had to deal with periodical editors, and that's a different job....)