PEN Membership Level
Gold
How did you get your start as an editor, and how long have you been editing?
It all began with falling in love with reading and storytelling in High School. (I even wrote and directed a Christmas play.) I absolutely love the feeling of being embraced by a story in such a way that it impacts me, changes me. I have tried my hand at writing but there is something almost magical about editing. I feel like I do better with helping to shape something that has already been started. Give me an idea and then my brain goes wild with possibilities.
My path to editing was a slow simmer. I had taken some Life Coaching courses and became a certified coach in two different areas–mostly focused on communication and valuing strengths in individuals. From there, I met a man at church who encouraged me to take that and pair it with my love for story. He was on a freelance platform and really got me started. I had great experience starting out–though I made little money, I was having fun. Ten years later, here I am. Working with a hybrid publisher, freelancing, and meeting some of the industry’s top editors. I am in a place I love but never imagined.
What are your areas of focus, and why did you select them?
I absolutely love the Big Picture edits. While I am detail oriented, I don’t like the task side of proofreading. I love working hand in hand with authors, getting that people interaction. I love working with fiction. I love getting in on the raw material and helping to make it better for the sake of the reader, but also the author. I love pouring out any knowledge I may have gained in order to build up and grow authors. That really fills me up. So, from author coaching to developmental/content/substantive edits–that’s my happy place.
What does a typical workday look like for you?
Ah–the ever-evolving answer to this question is…I don’t know yet. Ha! Come this Fall, all of my children will be attending public school. I have had at least one child homeschooled for the past 14 years. I am very excited to dive into this next year (yes, my years run August to June like a school year). The plan is to set aside one day for correspondence and computer work–emails, social posts, Macro Letters, and the like. Two days will be focused on manuscript reading/editing. One day will be for personal education.
I am a big processor so I know that I need a solid hour in the afternoons (usually around 2pm), to take a break. My break usually involves reading for fun and a nap. A nap helps my brain check out and subconsciously process the day, the edits, the possibilities. I feel like I actually get a lot done, mentally, when I take that time to step away from everything and let my brain drift. Some people walk, some people clean. Naps, or just quiet time, works best for me.
How do you manage your time?
I am a visual person, so I have to write things down. I have a calendar where I write out my projects and what needs to be done each week. As for projects, I use Toggl Tracker. I like that I can name a project and give an invoice for the author. Especially when I am doing author coaching–the invoice is a great way for both accountability and for the author to see what I’m charging for. I also use it to see how long I am actually taking on manuscript. I charge projects by the project, not by word or hour. So, to have a program that will help me know that balance of what I am charging versus how much time I am spending is helpful.
What is your favorite thing about being an editor?
Is it wrong to say my favorite thing about being an editor is the Advance Copy-like stage of a story? I gush over a good story. I admit, I’m addicted. So, to have access to a new story, even when it’s not fully developed, is like candy to me. (Yes, I have a sweet tooth.)
I feel alive and filled up when I get the opportunity to pour into an author; someone who loves to put in the work and wants to grow. To see an author come to me with a story and leave out time with a life-impacting novel–that is thrilling to me. I get excited for all the readers that get to experience that story. The Bible talks about harvesters, but it also talks about equippers. I am an equipper. My favorite thing about being a Developmental Editor is the equipping of the saints as they take the Word to people through story.
What is your biggest challenge in being an editor, and how do you work through this?
My biggest challenge to being an editor is stopping a project. Once I start, I don’t want to stop. It is really difficult for me to put down a manuscript and go do something else; my brain just wants to stay engaged in what I was doing. I have to take a drive, take a walk, take a shower, bake cookies–something. The bigger the project (the more engaged my mind has been) the longer the break between tasks has to be. Sometimes I need a good 20 minutes before my brain will disengage from the creative task and focus on what’s next. For example, If I have been working on a manuscript all day and then my kids come home, I may be sitting on the floor playing a game with them while my mind is still working through what I was reading. I don’t like that. I want my kids to have my full attention.
Knowing this, I will stop an edit a good hour before my kids get home from school. Also, I will only work on one project a day. But that project gets all of me that day. If I know I have something else that needs my attention, I make sure to plan a solid break between the two.
What advice do you have for someone who is just starting their career as an editor?
My advice is to explore your options. I tried my hand at line edits and proofreading also but when I discovered developmental editing, I fell in love.
Attend writer’s conferences and writing groups. You have to know about the craft of writing if you are going to edit it. Especially if you plan to be in the Big Picture edits; you need to know what the market wants, what the trends are, as well as the basics of storytelling.
Get involved in networking groups, conferences, and classes such as The PEN offers.
What are you currently working on?
Currently, I have an author from Zambia I am working with. His goal is to be the first traditionally published, best-selling author from Zambia. I am really excited for him. I have been able to collaborate with a couple other PEN editors to help direct him on this journey and I am loving every moment of it.
Where can people find you online or on social media?
You can find me on Instagram: @joleeng as well as @alexanderandgracestories
My website is: www.alexanderandgracestories.com
I am on Facebook as well: @JoleenGraumann
About Joleen Graumann
Joleen is a passionate substantive and developmental editor of Christian fiction who strives to help create powerful stories that resonate with readers. She goes beyond the traditional roles of book editor, beta reader, and critique partner by incorporating her Life Coaching skills into the editing process. By asking thought-provoking questions, Joleen helps authors craft stories that have the potential to change lives. With a sharp eye for detail and a deep understanding of what captivates people, Joleen works closely with authors to build fictive bubbles readers don’t want to leave.
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