The amazing, awesome, unbelievable Nalini Singh is here today to talk about how her books go from her head to the shelf. The editing process–something all of us readers have heard of. Today Nalini is talking about it more in depth.
I sometimes have readers ask me why if I’ve handed in a book, it’s not being released for several more months. Today, I’m going to take you through the “behind-the-scenes” process from manuscript to finished book from an author’s perspective that will hopefully answer that question.
While certain things are different depending on the publisher, the basic process is similar across the board.
Step 1: Author turns in manuscript (and quite often collapses into a pile of jelly).
Step 2: Two things can happen here.The editor reads the manuscript and sends back revision requests (author has usually recovered from Step 1 by now). In this case, the author does the revisions (and often there’s a bit of back and forth with the editor here as they talk things over), and returns the manuscript.
OR The editor reads manuscript and decides there are no major revisions to be made, in which case, the author dances a jig of joy and the book proceeds to step 3.
Step 3: The manuscript is edited by the author’s editor, then copy-edited, before being sent back to the author.
The first edit involves the author’s editor going through the manuscript making comments/suggestions and asking questions do with the story, perhaps making small changes etc. Also, if there are minor revisions to be made, the editor may ask for those to be done at this stage. It’s what I think of as a “big picture” edit.
The copy-editor by contrast, focuses on the technical aspects of the manuscript—including spelling, grammar, and continuity. The latter is particularly important in a series. For example, my copy-editor for the Psy/Changeling series does a style sheet for each book that lists everything from character names, to pack affiliations, to political links. Same with my copy-editor for the Guild Hunter series.
Both editors may query things at this stage, asking me to double check certain continuity factors, or pointing out things like overused words, or asking if I really meant to make up a word (yes! *g*).
All of this used to be done on a hard-copy manuscript that was shipped to the author, then back to the publisher, but most houses have moved to track-changes now, which is quite brilliant if an author needs to change a number of things.
The reason I often change things here is because there’s usually enough of a gap between turning in the manuscript and receiving the edits that I go into the book with a fresh eye, catching things I might have been too close to the story to see before. Sometimes, though, the edits are very clean on both the editorial and authorial end, and that’s when you bow down and thank the writing gods.
Step 4: The next time the author sees the manuscript, it will be in typeset format. What this means is that all the changes have been incorporated, and the manuscript has also been formatted and typeset – it looks exactly like you’ll see it once it’s printed.
This is the version of the manuscript that is most often sent to reviewers, as reviewers tend to work several months in advance of the publication date.
At this stage, the author can’t make big changes – it’s all about picking up any typos that have slipped through, and other small errors like that. (We are human though, so the occasional typo may still make it into the book!).
Once that’s done, it’s the last time an author sees the manuscript until it appears in book format.
Final notes
Because this is from an author’s perspective, I have missed out some steps in between – there are proofreads at several stages of the book for example.
For me, as an author, the editorial process is critical. The editorial questions/comments/suggestions not only help strengthen the book, they make me look at the story from a fresh perspective. And that, I think, can only make the book better.
I hope you all found that “behind-the-scenes” glimpse interesting. Feel free to post any questions about the process.
We have three copies of Play of Passion (Us and Canada only) to giveaway. Leave a comment in this post telling us your favorite book in the Psy/Changeling series. Ends 11/11 @ 11:59pm.
It’s very interesting to see some of the behind the scenes work that’s done on the book. I think some people think that the book is written and looked at once by the editor before it’s released. Can you imagine? lol Thanks for the insights on the editing process from your pov.
(Oh and don’t enter me in the giveaway as I’ve read the book!)
The whole process sound pretty complicated and fairly nerve racking. I’ve always had a lot of respect for people who can go pen to paper. Love this series and so far my favorite has been Visions of Heat – major fan girl of Vaughn!!! annhonATaolDOTcom
The post was very interesting, I love hearing about the writing process (as well as all the steps a book goes through) from authors.
I haven’t had a chance to read any of the Psy/Changeling series yet, so if I have to choose, I’ll choose Slave to Sensation because it’s the first one.
Barbed1951(at)aol(dot)com
I cannot pick just ONE book as a favorite in this series. I have loved them all.
kissinoak at frontier dot com
interesting interview. I love to hear how ya’ll lovely writers do it.I love this series and so far Vaughn in Visions of Heat is my all time favorite but I believe that my all time favorite has yet to be pubbed. I am so so looking forward to hawke’s book.
scrtsbpal at yahoo dot com
I’m a changeling girl so my favorites are when one of them are involved heavily in the story (so almost every one of the books!)
I love them all, so I’ll have to say my favorite is the next one coming out. Play of Passion is next on my list!
Oh, I have ALL your books so exclude me from the drawing. 🙂
Thanks for sharing such an informative post. There really is a ton that goes on behinds the scenes in the publishing world. As for the series favorite I think I’d have to go with Hostage to Pleasure.
I enjoyed reading about the process, it is so hard waiting for the next book in a great series. It’s hard to pick just one, but I guess if I have to say one so for, it would be Hostage to Pleasure. I really like Dorian.
Thanks for the behind-the-scenes look, Nalini! I just read an article a few days ago about some of Jane Austen’s unedited works, and I thought it was fascinating. It made me really curious about the editing process.
When/If major story revisions are made, do you keep those deleted elements in mind for possible future books, or are those ideas so specific to that particular story that you can’t turn them into a different book?
I assume authors and publishers would never go for this, but I would love to see unedited versions of my favorite books, before the big revisions, sort of like the director’s cut in movies. I think this would work really well with digital books…like, read a chapter, and then select “read original/alternate version.”
Oh, and Branded by Fire and Hostage to Pleasure are tied for my favorite.
I love all in the series. I love to see the development of the characters and how minor characters in previous books get their own starring role and romance.
Thanks for the giveaway.
smccar1 at hotmail dot com
This comment has been removed by the author.
Oops, I accidently deleted my post. Here is the post again: I love all your books! My favorite would have to be Visions of Heat, because I fell in love with Vaughn from the very beginning. I’m really looking forward to Hawks book next! I would love to win a copy of Play of Passion, thanks for the giveaway!
I havent started the series yet. But I love her Guild Hunters series so Im looking forward to these too.
bacchus76 at myself dot com
Thanks for the great comments everyone!
@Las – In most cases, no, you can’t actually use the deleted elements because they’d be integral to that particular book.
However, I think the one time this might be possible is if an author writes a series. If, for example, an author has to take out something about a character because the information doesn’t fit naturally into the current story, they might be able to introduce it later on, because it still applies to the same character.
I’ve only just started this series. So Slave To Sensation for me. 🙂
Great post. Very interesting to hear about the process.
I love all of the Psy/Changeling books, but I have to say that Blaze of Memory really sticks out for me, mostly because I stayed up really late and ended up crying through the last few chapters. It is an amazing book, Nalini. But then again, they all are!
Cheers,
Erin
ericon_22 AT hotmail DOT com
I love this series! Read all of them twice. I did not want to be finished with any of them. Caressed by Ice and Branded by Fire are my favorites.
Very interesting insight – thank you Nalini! I like that the style guide comes nto play to ensure continuity – that’s one thing that can drive readers insane if not done well :0
Please don’t include me in the giveaway 🙂
I have been one of those readers asking you ‘what happens next?’ 🙂 Part of it is curiosity since I hope to get published sometime in this lifetime, and part is because I want Hawke’s book NOW (even a rough, unedited version would be fine!).
Thanks Nalini! I’ve seen other authors talk about galley’s and such, never sure what that means.
I work for a small publishing company as a graphic designer. I do cover art and the interior typesetting. I had learned a great deal about this process, let me tell you! At my company, manuscripts have three editors (not counting the acquisitions editor who decided to contract the book with the author).
The first level is developmental editor. This is the step two that Nalini described. This editor works with the author to “develop” the manuscript to its final cut. This can include revisions to actual plot or characters, cutting or expanding scenes, and in the case of non-American authors, making sure that the proper words and expressions are used for a U.S. audience (e.g., sneakers not trainers, flashlights not torches…)
Next there is the Managing Editor. This person works with the author through all stages of the manuscript and will help resolve differences of opinion or answer style questions in relation to the publishing house. This is where the style sheet that Nalini described comes into play. We do that as well.
Finally, there is the Copy Editor. This person receives the final manuscript that has gone through both developmental and management editing. This editor is looking for typos and technical errors. This includes punctuation, spelling, consistencies in word use (like making sure there aren’t various versions of T-shirt, tee shirt and t-shirt all in the book in different places).
At this point the cover is already set (I did this most likely about a month prior. I will usually read the rough manuscript to get ideas for the cover design and then work with the marketing person and author to choose a final design. The difference between the original rough manuscript and the copy-edited version?? You don’t even want to know, lol). Once I get the final manuscript from the copy editor, I work on setting the book. This is much more complicated than one would think. In addition to typesetting the manuscript, I am also the final pair of eyes to read it before it goes to the printer. After I set it, I print it out and read through it with a red pen. I’ve yet to complete a project that didn’t at least have about a dozen errors, even after three levels of editing.
So that’s the process where I work as a freelance graphic designer 🙂
Blaze of Memory is my favorite- it really plays with the readers emotions.
Diana
deh4ps[at]virginia[dot]edu
My favorite is Caressed By Ice-I completely love Judd and all his abilities he learns to use for good.
jbrink83 at hotmail dot com
Great post. My favorite is Branded by Fire. Love Nalini’s books.
Wow, that was interesting! It’s good to know what’s happening behind the scene 🙂
My favorite book is Branded by Fire in the series. Loooove Riley and Mercy and hopefully Drew and Indigo too. ^^
I have to admit, I haven’t started this series, so I don’t have a favorite, but I’ve heard so many good things about it. The plot for Play of Passion definitely caught my eye, so I guess I’ll have to get started on the series.
jen(at)delux(dot)com
My favorite so far in the series is Hostage to Pleasure. I cannot wait to read Play for Passion!
Thanks for this enlightening article! It doesn’t make the wait any shorter but does make it a bit easier (a tiny tiny bit) knowing what’s going on ‘behind the scenes’.
I’m a total fangrrl of the Angel’s Guild series but haven’t yet picked up a Psy/Changeling book.
Thanks for the article about editing. Doesn’t help me wait any more patiently for my ‘fix’ of Psy/Changling stories though.
I can’t pick just one as a favourite as they are all so good.
I guess it’s whichever one I am currently reading, which makes it Bonds Of Justice until I get my hands on Play Of Passion 😀
I have to admit I don’t have a favorite of the Psy-Changling series because I have enjoyed all of them immensely!!
Back in the dark ages when my children were in school (and there were no computers) I had to do a rough draft before I hand wrote the note.