Thursday, November 16, 2006

Editors Are People Too!

It never ceases to amaze me at a writer's conference when someone will come up and tell me how they have followed my career and are in awe of finally getting to meet me. Gee, I'm not Emma Thompson or Faith Hill or even Laura Bush. I'm just an average person who struggles to keep my house clean and those extra fluctuating pounds off. I can't even write this without spell checker. But I admit I can still get a little star struck when I meet an author like Francine Rivers or Liz Curtis Higgs whose skills I've really admired. I get tongue tied with the rest of you. I just feel so blessed that God plopped me down into a job that allows me to do the things I love and meet like-minded people around the country -- actually, all around the world.

Really, He did just plop me here 13 years ago. I had moved home from a Florida college with a degree but no job. There was this catalog company that sold Christian books, and I got hired for the Christmas season, taking phone orders. Three months later I learned the company had a publishing division that did some devotionals and a few romance books. They needed a new assistant to the only editor, and because my boss saw a good fit with my college training, he recommended me. Today that catalog no longer exists, the old boss is VP of Sales (Awarded because he did so well picking me. RIGHT?), and the editorial team has grown from 2 to 8. I started doing typesetting as well as acquisitions, but now we have a graphic team for that too.

This fiction editor trio hopes our blog will give you a peek into the human side of editors. Thankfully, Susan, JoAnne, and I share a lot in common -- like coffee and chocolate and books. Still the old saying about 3 different editors having 3 different opinions on how to edit a book is so true. We about never decided on a name for our blog and wording for our tag line. But being senior editor with final say does have its perks some days.

27 comments:

Green Gables Chick said...

Hello, Becky!

I like the look of the new blog!
~Aisha

Diann Hunt said...

Congrats on the new blog!! It looks great! Looking forward to reading it in the days ahead!

Mary Connealy said...

Wow, Aisha is FAST. I looked everywhere trying to find you ladies. I'm looking forward to the new blog. Great idea.

Carrie Turansky said...

Hi Becky,

It was fun to learn a little more about you and your experiences at Barbour. Thanks for all you do to make our stories shine. I'll look forward to keeping up with you on your blog.

Rhonda Gibson said...

Hi Becky!

The blogs look great! I agree with Diann, I'm looking forward to reading it in the days ahead.

Rhonda ~

Jeri Odell said...

Hey Becky,

I love Pride and Prejudice, too. The remake isn't nearly as good, especially the new Mr. Darcy. He can't hold a candle to Colin Firth.

Happy Blogging!

Gail Gaymer Martin said...

Congrats on the new blog. It's a great idea. Wishing you all the best.

Gail Gaymer Martin
www.gailmartin.com

Lena Nelson Dooley said...

Becky, it's been ajoy to know you most of your tenure with Heartsong and Barbour fiction. I've loved spending time with you and been blessed when you bought novels from me.
This blog is a wonderful idea. I'll get my blog guru, Heather Tipton, to add a link to it right away. We need to get the readers over here.

Marjorie Vawter said...

Congratulations on the new blog! I love the look. This is bookmarked so I can get back often.

Margie

Cara Putman said...

Looks like a fun blog. I searched Google for hours yesterday trying to find you :-) I look forward to learning more about y'all through the blog. Have a great weekend.

Pamela S. Meyers said...

Hi ladies,
I love "The Barbie Girls." Cute name. I look forward to reading your new blog. So, is there a Starbucks in your neck of the woods? I love their peppermint mocha that just came out for the holidays.

Pam

Colleen Coble said...

I looked everywhere yesterday to try to find you! Great blog, gals. I love the look and it's great to get a peek at into your lives.

And chocolate, did someone say chocolate?

eileen said...

And Becky can do-si-do with the best of 'em! Great blog. What fun this will be.

Edgy Inspirational Author said...

Great idea! I think I'll link this to my blog if y'all don't mind. :)

Kristy Dykes said...

I love your new blog! I look forward to reading more.

Lena Nelson Dooley said...

Okay, Editor Chicks, your link is now up on my blog.

Muncy Chapman said...

Congratulations on the great new blog! Looking forward to making you part of my daily reading schedule.
Best wishes.
Muncy Chapman

MaryLu Tyndall said...

Hi Becky, Susan and JoAnne!

What a neat idea. Now, I can get to know you all much better. It's so hard to just know someone through quick business email, so this will be a place I'll come to often.
MaryLu

Tiffany Amber Stockton said...

"But being senior editor with final say does have its perks some days."

LOL! Great line. And pulling rank this time with the name of the blog works. Love it.

Welcome to the blogging world.

Terry Burns said...

ok, alert, alert, token male lurking in the shadows to see what all you loverly ladies are talking about.

Unknown said...

Becky,

I enjoyed your post a great deal. How fun, to get to know you this way. And what a great idea, to start this blog. We're all grateful. - Janice

Anonymous said...

Hi Becky!
What a great idea! It's been a blessing to work with all three of you through the years and I look forward to visiting with you all here.
JanetB

Kathy Kovach... said...

Did someone say CHOCOLATE? I'll love hanging out at your blog if I can do Chai Tea instead of mocha. Can't stomach coffee. . .something to do with urping in a coffee can when my parents would take me to the mountains. . .long story.

Now that I've grossed you all out, congrats on the blog. What a great idea!

C.J. Darlington said...

My word, you guys have quite a following! I heard about this blog through ACFW and want to echo everyone else: I'm looking forward to reading more.

The editorial process is often full of mystique, so to have some "real" editors break it down for us is great.

Catherine West said...

What a great idea! I love this blog and look forward to checking in often!

Crystal Laine said...

You are always gracious and easy to talk to, Becky. I appreciated that about you from the first time I met you.

Love the photos! My welcome to the Blogging World. Look forward to what you have to say.

Sandra Robbins said...

Thanks for coming up with this wonderful blog. What a great way for all of us to develop relationships. I especially liked your comment about the senior editor having some perks. That seemed very appropriate for the coffee cafe idea. I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving day.

Sandra Robbins