excellence in editing

Spotlight on an Excellence in Editing Award-Winning Book: Refresh Your Faith

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Spotlight on an Excellence in Editing Award-Winning Book: Refresh Your Faith

This Excellence in Editing Award spotlight is on Refresh Your Faith: Uncommon Devotions from Every Book of the Bible by Lori Hatcher, edited by Rachel Kirsch and published by Our Daily Bread. It takes a team!

Irene Chambers, the director of Christian Editor Connection (CEC), interviewed author Lori Hatcher and editor Rachel Kirsch about working together and creating an award-winning book.

IRENE. Lori, how did you develop the idea for this book?

LORI. I’ll never forget the first time I read the story of Jonah. As a new believer, I couldn’t stop thinking about it. The same thing happened when I read the story of Moses parting the Red Sea. And Daniel’s sleepless night in the lions’ den. The stories inspired and fascinated me.

But after a while, something changed. The fabulous stories became familiar. Their knockout punches became more like gentle pats—comforting, but certainly not seismic. To fight the boredom that threatened to lull me into spiritual sleep, I bought several women’s devotionals. Sadly, I discovered most authors seemed stuck in the same rut I was in. Their devotions focused on the same well-worn stories and verses I’d been reading in my quiet times. Zzzzzzzz.

Then I participated in a Bible study called Let Prayer Change Your Life. In one of the sessions, author and speaker Becky Tirabassi challenged us to read through the Bible in a year using The One Year Bible. As I began to read the whole Bible, not just the familiar sections to which I’d previously gravitated, I discovered books and passages I’d read but never really seen before.

Buried in familiar portions of the Bible and obscure books like Ezra, Habakkuk, and Philemon were dynamic, life-changing verses. Before, I’d avoided or skimmed these less-familiar sections. Now their gems shone with extraordinary brilliance. In the more well-known books, I discovered unlikely verses that sparkled with truth and life applications. Perhaps if others knew these gems were here, I thought, they’d fall in love with the Bible too.

This is how Refresh Your Faith: Uncommon Devotions from Every Book of the Bible was born.

IRENE. What did you enjoy most about the writing process?

LORI. I loved praying about the needs of the project and watching to see how God answered. So many times I’ve come to Him with nothing to put on paper, but after I acknowledge my need and wait, in His timing He sends just what I need. It may be an appropriate illustration, a clever turn of phrase, or a new way of presenting a concept. When that happens, I know it’s God. This reminds me to seek Him for everything and recognize that anything good that comes out of us is by His grace.

IRENE. What did you struggle with most during the writing process?

LORI. Accomplishing my writing goals without neglecting the important people in my life. I never want to lose people in the projects.

In light of this, I really have to prioritize how I spend my time. I work part time as a dental hygienist, am married to a pastor, and have four young grandchildren that live nearby. Each of these roles comes with responsibilities, and I want to be faithful in these roles. This leaves me only two dedicated writing days a week, and I have to guard those days. “Good” opportunities come up that compete with my writing time, but to be a good steward of the writing opportunities God has given me, I have to say no to most of them. Oswald Chambers said, “The good is the enemy of the best.” I constantly ask God, “How do you want me to spend this day/hour/minute?” and then try my best to obey what He tells me.

IRENE. What tips can you give authors about working with editors?

LORI. I served as the editor of a regional magazine for ten years, and I serve clients as a freelance editor, so I know what it’s like to sit on both sides of the editor’s desk. I don’t have to get into an editor’s brain, because I am one. I know I approach each editing session with a desire to make my client’s work as clear and powerful as possible. I want to stay true to their voice and maintain their intent. This perspective has helped me see my editor as my friend, not my enemy. If she asks for changes or clarification, there’s a good reason for it.

I encourage authors not to be afraid to dialogue with their editors. There are appropriate reasons to disagree too, but it’s never okay to be disagreeable. Remember that editors are people, too, with busy lives, feelings, and schedules. Your book is probably not their only project. Be patient and breathe grace, because you might very well need the same grace shown to you.

Finally, I encourage authors to pray for their editors. As soon as an editor is assigned to one of my projects, I email and ask if they’d be open to a Zoom or phone call. We get to know each other a bit, and then I ask how I can pray for them. And I do. I pray often that God will give them clarity of thought and purpose, time to work undistracted, and good health. I also pray for peace in their homes and good health too.

IRENE. What does winning the Excellence in Editing Award mean to you?

LORI. It confirms that God answered my prayer and sent me an amazing editor! It also proves God can use ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary things. I’ve felt inadequate for every step of this writing journey, but God has supplied everything I’ve needed. The EIE Award reminds me that God can do immeasurably more than we can ever hope or imagine if we seek to honor Him.

IRENE. Rachel, how did you become connected with Lori?

RACHEL. Lori and I were connected through her publisher, Our Daily Bread.

IRENE. What do you enjoy most about the editing process?

RACHEL. It is a privilege to assist authors with honing their message. I especially love helping authors to more clearly communicate the truth of the gospel in their writing. It’s not a surprise that I’m a word nerd, but I’m also a gospel nerd. I have found that Christian authors sometimes unintentionally advocate for a Christianized version of behavior modification. But that’s not the gospel. There is nothing more exciting than helping authors communicate to their readers the freedom found in Christ alone.

IRENE. What tips can you give other freelance editors about working with authors?

RACHEL. Be humble and gentle. It can be tempting as an editor to slip into the role of expert. But the reality is that I’m not always right. The author has the final say, and sometimes my opinion is just my opinion. I try to hold my expertise loosely.

IRENE. What do you wish authors knew about working with freelance editors?

RACHEL. Life can be messy, and as a busy editor, pastor’s wife, and mom, I am usually juggling quite a bit. Patience, understanding, and a sense of humor are much appreciated.

IRENE. What does working on an award-winning book mean to you?

RACHEL. It was a pleasure working with Lori on Refresh Your Faith, and it’s an honor to be given this award. As a freelance editor, I work alone in my office. When a project is finished, I move on to the next. I don’t always see what happens with a book once it goes to print. It’s rewarding to get a glimpse of how this book has been received by its readers and by the judges of the EIE Award.

Thank you, Rachel and Lori. Congratulations again on winning the 2021 EIE Award for Refresh Your Faith! It takes a team!

About the Author

Lori Hatcher is a blogger, pastor’s wife, and women’s ministry speaker. She’s the editor of South Carolina’s Reach Out, Columbia magazine, president of Columbia Toastmasters, and a regular contributor to magazines such as Christian Living Today and websites like Crosswalk.com. Her book Hungry for God . . . Starving for Time, won the Christian Small Publisher 2016 book of the year. Find out more about Lori and her well-loved 5-minute devotions at lorihatcher.com/.

About the Editor

Rachel Kirsch is a freelance editor and proofreader with fifteen years of experience with publishers such as Zondervan, Baker, WaterBrook Multnomah, Our Daily Bread, and Penguin Press. She has worked on 350+ fiction and nonfiction books, including titles by bestselling authors Cindy Woodsmall, Gary Thomas, Robin Jones Gunn, and Eugene Peterson. Rachel lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan, with her husband and four kids, who fill her life with chaos and joy.

About the Book

5-minute devotions for busy women, unfamiliar verses, uncommon insights, and unlimited possibilities.

Just when you think you know the Bible, Lori Hatcher brings to light rich, life-changing Bible passages that will have you exclaiming, “Wow! I’ve never noticed that before!” Shake up your quiet time with these culturally relevant, story-driven devotions—one from each book of the Bible—spotlighting an unusual verse or passage.

You’ll be challenged to think deeply, step out boldly, and grow dynamically, transforming your devotional time—and your life!

Purchase Refresh Your Faith.

Be sure to enter the 2022 Excellence in Editing Award contest!

Christian Editor Connection wants to honor the teams behind well-written, well-edited books and is proud to sponsor our seventh annual EIE Award. Are you the author, editor, or publisher of a book published in 2021? Submit it for the 2022 EIE Award!

This award celebrates newly released books published by a Christian publisher or self-published by a Christian author. It is open to books published in hardcover or paperback in 2021. Books must be written in English, have been released in North America, and contain a Christian worldview.

The publication teams (authors, editors, and publishers) behind EIE award-winning books will be recognized for their dedication and work and may mention this honor in their marketing, promotion, and publicity. The most valuable aspect of the award is its use as a book-sales stimulator. In addition, CEC announces finalists and winners online. Winning authors and editors receive plaques and may choose from a variety of offerings in the Christian Editor Network.

Visit https://ChristianEditor.com/EIE/ for more information and to submit your entry. The deadline is December 31, 2021. (The entry fee is $35­-40.)

Spotlight on an Excellence in Editing Award Winning Book: Keen

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Spotlight on an Excellence in Editing Award Winning Book: Keen

This Excellence in Editing Award spotlight is on Keen by Laura L. Zimmerman, edited by Michele Israel Harper, and published by Love2ReadLove2Write Publishing, LLC.

It takes a team! Irene Chambers, the EIE Award Coordinator for the Christian Editor Connection (CEC), interviewed author Laura L. Zimmerman and editor Michele Israel Harper about working together and creating an award-winning book.

IRENE. Laura, how did you develop the idea for this book?

LAURA. My teenager and I were watching Teen Wolf, a show about high schoolers who discover they have supernatural abilities. One of the main characters learned she was a banshee. Although the way her story portrayed in the show was a bit different from the lore I introduce in Keen, it still intrigued me. I found myself asking, “What would it be like to be a teenager in high school and have this secret of being a banshee?” This thought wandered my mind for a few weeks before the story began to take shape in my mind.

IRENE. What did you enjoy the most about the writing process?

LAURA. I enjoyed exploring the various cultures and their lore regarding faeries and banshees. It pushed my creativity to dig deep and decide which parts of the lore I wanted to keep and where I would allow the fiction to take over and create my own world of the fae.

IRENE. What did you struggle with the most during the writing process?

LAURA. Since Caoine’s story is told in first person, I found that she was an unreliable narrator. She’s a classic teen with low self-esteem and mood swings. I wanted the reader to know the real Caoine and not the tainted view she had of herself. An editor gave me the idea of introducing chapters from a different POV to help with this.

IRENE. What tips can you give authors about working with editors?

LAURA. Be open to everything. Accept the fact that as the author, you’re already too close to the project. You need an editor to give an objective view of your work and to point out things that don’t work or need improvement. There will always be changes suggested from an editor that you feel are difficult to accept or make at first. But always take the time to sleep on it and allow the idea to marinate before rejecting the suggestion. An editor is your helpmate.

IRENE. What does winning the Excellence in Editing Award mean to you?

LAURA. Receiving this award shows me just how important Keen was, not just to me but to many others as well. I never could have made Keen what is it today without the help of Michele, and multiple other editors, beta readers, and proofreaders. I appreciate every single person who invested their time into Keen. I am beyond blessed that my book has been honored in this way!

IRENE. Michele, how did you become connected with Laura?

MICHELE. I believe it was Realm Makers 2018 when Laura tried to get a pitch appointment with me, but they were full. She had pitched to me in the past, so after the award ceremony, she pulled me aside and told me her idea for her banshee story, Keen. I was immediately entranced and wanted to see a full, which led to a publishing contract.

IRENE. What do you enjoy the most about the editing process?

MICHELE. Oh my goodness, I adore when a story comes together. Maybe it’s almost there, or maybe it needs some prodding in the right direction, but when the author is willing to listen to suggestions and make the story stronger, it is bliss. I get so excited when an author strengthens a scene or cuts extra fluff that tightens the entire manuscript and brings the plot together into a cohesive whole. That is what makes a story unputdownable. I love it!

Also, I’m a very technical editor, so I love CMOS and Proofreading Secrets by Kathy Ide. I love to teach with my edits because once the author knows not to make certain mistakes again, their next manuscript will be that much cleaner. Plus they’ll know better how to self-edit before submitting the next MS to whomever that may be.

IRENE. What tips can you give other freelance editors about working with authors?

MICHELE. You can usually tell when an author is ready to be published. They listen to suggestions, are willing to learn, and know their own voice, characters, and plot. They’re willing to do whatever it takes to make their story worthy of publication.

It’s also important that you click with the author and their story—if you can’t see their vision or are overly frustrated by beginner mistakes, often it’s a sign they need to learn their craft better or need to work with a different editor. And that’s not a bad thing! You want them to have an editor who is excited about their story and who is excited to work with them to bring it into publishable shape. Back and forth with mutual respect is good; tension is not.

I’m so happy to say it has been a dream to work with Laura, and I love how professional she is and how excited she is about her stories.

IRENE. What do you wish authors knew about working with freelance editors?

MICHELE. Please listen to your editor’s suggestions! They should know what is industry standard; they should fiercely protect your voice, characterization, and plot; and they should never insert themselves into your manuscript. If they’re not a good fit, don’t be upset about choosing another! The editing process should be a joyful one as you both work together to make your book baby shine and catch the attention of an agent, editor, or publisher. And don’t be afraid to learn! The cleaner your drafts are, the more interested industry professionals will be.

IRENE. This is your fourth EIE Award! What does working on an award-winning book mean to you?

MICHELE. It’s such an honor to be a recipient of this award with Laura. The various stages of editing are such intense work, and it helps so much to have an author who is a dream to work with.

I think I’ve become more picky over the years as we take on authors. Their book needs to be one we can get behind 100 percent, of course, but my team and I want to publish authors who are professional above all else, know their craft well, and are excited about their books and willing to tell others about them. I am so honored to have personally worked with the four authors who won the EIE Award from our publishing house, and I hope and pray we can publish many more award-winning books in the future.

Thank you so much for having me, Irene!

Thank you, Michele, and you, Laura. Congratulations again on winning the 2020 EIE Award for Keen! It takes a team!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Laura L. Zimmerman resides in North Carolina with her husband and three daughters. You can usually find her homeschooling her children, drinking coffee, or having a movie night with her family. Drawn to anything young adult or middle grade, she loves to create fantasy and sci-fi stories. She enjoys posting weekly flash fiction pieces on her blog, Caffeinated Fiction, and has officially been caught within the sticky web of the #bookstagram community on Instagram @ lauralzimmauthor. Keen is her debut novel.

ABOUT THE EDITOR:

Michele Israel Harper is the author of Wisdom & Folly: Sisters, Zombie Takeover, Beast Hunter, and Kill the Beast. She is also a freelance editor and the acquisitions editor at Love2ReadLove2Write Publishing, LLC.

Harper has her bachelor of arts in history, is slightly obsessed with all things French—including Jeanne d’Arc and La Belle et la Bête—and loves curling up with a good book more than just about anything else. Visit www.MicheleIsraelHarper.com to learn more about her.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Half-faerie Caoine has no control over the banshee lament she sings each night, predicting the death of others. A senior in a brand new high school, she expects the same response she’s received at every other school: judgment from fellow students over her unusual eyes and unnaturally white skin and hair. However, when Caoine arrives at West Lincoln High, for the first time in her life she finds friends. Real friends.

But being a teenager is never easy, especially when the star soccer player, Oliver, sets his sights on her. Allowing him to get close means revealing her curse to the human world. She can’t let that happen.

Life spins further out of control when her lament comes out during the day, those whose death she predicts die right in front of her, and a dark faerie known only as the Unseelie prince blames Caoine by leaving her the creepiest notes ever. Her curse is not supposed to work like that.

In a race against time, Caoine must uncover the Unseelie prince’s identity and stop a spell before it unleashes hell on earth, all while trying to control her banshee song and finding a place among her peers.

Senior year just got real.

Purchase Keen.

Enter the 2021 Excellence in Editing Award contest!

The Christian Editor Connection wants to honor the teams behind well-written, well-edited books and is proud to sponsor our sixth annual EIE Award. Are you the author, editor, or publisher of a book published in 2020? Submit it for the 2021 EIE Award!

This award celebrates newly released books that are superbly written, well edited, and published by a CBA publisher or self-published by a Christian author.

The CEC Excellence in Editing Award is open to books published in hardcover or paperback in 2020. Books must be written in English, have been released in North America, and contain a Christian worldview.

The publication teams (authors, editors, and publishers) behind the EIE award-winning books will be recognized for their dedication and work and may mention this honor in their marketing, promotion, and publicity. The most valuable aspect of the award is its use as a book-sales stimulator. In addition, CEC announces finalists and winners online. Winning authors and editors receive plaques and may choose from a variety of offerings in the Christian Editor Network.

Visit https://ChristianEditor.com/EIE/ for more information and to submit your entry. The deadline is December 31, 2020. (The entry fee is $45.)

 

Spotlight on an Excellence in Editing Award-Winning Book: Talitha the Traveling Skirt

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Spotlight on an Excellence in Editing Award-Winning Book: Talitha the Traveling Skirt

This Excellence in Editing Award spotlight is on Talitha the Traveling Skirt by Becky Van Vleet, edited by Barbara Curtis (freelance) and Derinda Babcock (in house), and published by Elk Lake Publishing, Inc.

It takes a team. Irene Chambers, the EIE Award Coordinator for Christian Editor Connection (CEC), interviewed author Becky Van Vleet and editors Barbara Curtis and Derinda Babcock about working together and creating an award-winning book.

IRENE. Becky, how did you develop the idea for this book?

BECKY. My children’s book was inspired by a true family story. We have had a little red plaid skirt traveling in our family for more than seventy years, spanning three generations. All the little girls in our family have had a professional photograph taken in this skirt at age two, a tradition started by my mother in 1948. I turned this true family story into a fun tale for young readers.

IRENE. What did you enjoy the most about the writing process?

BECKY. Every time I worked on my book, I truly enjoyed reflecting back on the family memories and talking with my sisters about the little skirt. The more I worked on this children’s book, the more I felt excited and gratified to preserve a family memory. When Courtney Smith’s lovely illustrations starting rolling in for me to preview, I couldn’t wait to complete the process.

IRENE. What did you struggle with the most during the writing process?

BECKY. I would say I struggled the most with my huge learning curve. Although this was challenging at times, it was always positive. I was extremely fortunate to work with Derinda Babcock and Barbara Curtis, my two editors, who were very patient with me as well as encouraging.

IRENE. What does winning the Excellence in Editing Award mean to you?

BECKY. First and foremost, I will say I was very surprised. But now that I’ve enjoyed this honor for a few weeks, I can assuredly say that all the steps of the writing process, even the challenges, were worth it.

IRENE. What tips can you give authors about working with editors?

BECKY. Enjoy the ride, all the ups and downs! Listen to their advice and trust that they are directing you to land with the best book ever. The process is teamwork with all the roles working together.

IRENE. Barbara, how did you become connected with Becky Van Vleet?

BARBARA. I met Becky through the CEC when she bravely ventured into seeking an editor for her story.

IRENE. What do you enjoy the most about the editing process?

BARBARA. Working with new authors and helping them bring their books to a polished state is very enjoyable, along with getting to know the authors through phone conversations and emails. I enjoy the back and forth and seeing writers grow in their skill. And for the editing process itself, I love finding the “puzzle pieces” and fitting them together to make the story whole.

IRENE. What tips can you give other freelance editors about working with authors?

BARBARA. Be gentle and encouraging! Especially with new authors, as they’re being brave in just showing their words to someone else—when it’s inevitable that they’ll get marked up. And to pray for each client and your input on their projects as you edit.

IRENE. What do you wish authors knew about working with freelance editors?

BARBARA. That editors are there to work alongside the authors, to help them deliver the best book they can and to add the “professional polish” to it. I’d encourage authors to take their time in finding an editor whom they feel they fit together well with in personality and style, as it is a partnership. And to be open to your editor’s input. To be confident that the editor has the author’s best interests at heart and that the editor is guiding the author in a beneficial way—even when it means cutting out beloved words!

IRENE. What does working on an award-winning book mean to you?

BARBARA. I am thrilled for Becky to have won an award. I’ve so enjoyed my part in helping her with the initial editing of her story, from seeing the first draft, working with her, and helping her submit a proposal to Elk Lake Publishing, rejoicing when it was accepted, to seeing the final product they ended up with. And the lovely artwork is a beautiful finishing touch. It’s exciting even for editors to see their clients’ books in print!

IRENE. Derinda, how did you become connected with Becky?

DERINDA. I am Elk Lake Publishing, Inc.’s senior graphic designer and the managing editor for the children’s picture and middle-grade books. I edit the picture books ELPI contracts, which is how Becky and I connected.

IRENE. What do you enjoy the most about the editing process?

DERINDA. I’m also an author. As I help other authors polish their manuscripts, I become a better writer. Proverbs 27:17 (ESV) says, “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.”

When I first started my writing career, editors would tell me to rewrite because I was telling. They wanted me to show. Often, I’d have to rewrite scenes containing point-of-view shifts or passive voice. These comments used to frustrate me because I didn’t have a clear idea what these statements really meant. But I rewrote hundreds of sentences and paragraphs and finally started to catch on.

Now, after editing other authors’ work, I understand what these editors meant. I try, with examples, to help the authors I work with understand how to address these issues. I especially enjoy working with writers who are humble and have a learner’s heart. I feel like a proud parent when they understand and can apply their knowledge.

IRENE. What tips can you give other freelance editors about working with authors?

DERINDA. Be patient. A new author needs lots of coaching. Things which are second nature to us are a foreign language to others. I’m thinking of Track Changes especially. We need to set expectations up front and not leave the authors guessing. Be kind. A book is the author’s baby, and they may be very protective of their work. Show grace. We all were beginners once—we all make mistakes—we’re all still learning.

IRENE. What do you wish authors knew about working with freelance editors?

DERINDA. Editors (and designers) who freelance usually have another job. They may take on freelance work to help pay the bills. This means editing projects must be worked into their schedules. Depending on the complexity of the manuscript they are editing, or on the number of edits needed, getting a manuscript to formatted book and ready for upload to the distributors may take longer than they expect. And they should ask questions—you won’t learn something you don’t know if you don’t ask.

IRENE. What does working on an award-winning book mean to you?

DERINDA. When an author’s book wins an award, this means I accomplished my goal of helping the author and my publisher shine. The award recognizes our work as a cooperative team. The award also means others with expertise recognize my contribution to an author’s success. This makes me smile.

Thank you, Becky, Barbara, and Derinda. Congratulations again on winning the 2020 EIE Award for Talitha the Traveling Skirt! It takes a team!

About the Author:

Becky Van Vleet is a retired teacher and principal. She and her husband make their home in Colorado Springs, where Becky enjoys oil painting, gardening, writing, and hiking and biking in the great outdoors. As a baby boomer, Becky believes in sharing family stories with the next generations and encourages others to do the same. She has devoted her website and blogs to creating and preserving family memories. Becky relishes spending time with her family and especially reading books to her grandchildren.

 

About the Editors:

Editor Barbara Curtis is a freelance editor specializing in Christian fiction and is a member of The Christian PEN and the Christian Editor Connection. She and her husband live in Connecticut and have one grown son. She enjoys reading, writing—and editing.

 

 

Editor Derinda Babcock is also an author, graphics designer, and online teacher.

For almost twenty-five years, she worked with students of all ages and many different linguistic and cultural backgrounds. The richness of this experience lends flavor to her novels. She crafts entertaining stories written for the Christian worldview. When she is not writing, designing, teaching, or editing, she furthers her own education.

 

About the Book:

Meet Talitha, a little plaid skirt that likes to travel. Through the years, she visits many two-year-old girls in a special family who wear her to get their pictures taken. But Talitha encounters problems when she least expects them. Filled with colorful and detailed illustrations, young children will delight in this heartwarming story about a little skirt’s adventures. Purchase Talitha the Traveling Skirt.

Enter the 2021 EIE Award Contest!

CEC wants to honor the teams behind well-written, well-edited books and is proud to sponsor our sixth annual Excellence in Editing Award. Are you the author, editor, or publisher of a book published in 2020? Submit it for the 2021 EIE Award!

This award celebrates newly released books that are superbly written, well edited, and published by a CBA publisher or self-published by a Christian author.

The CEC Excellence in Editing Award is open to all books published in hardcover or paperback in 2020. Books must be written in English, have been released in North America, and contain a Christian worldview.

The publication teams (authors, editors, and publishers) behind the EIE award-winning books will be honored for their dedication and work and may mention this honor in their marketing, promotion, and publicity. The most valuable aspect of the award is its use as a book-sales stimulator. Visit https://ChristianEditor.com/EIE/ for more information and to submit your entry. The deadline is December 31, 2020. (The entry fee is $35 until October 15, $45 until November 15, then $50.)

Spotlight on an Excellence in Editing Award-Winning Book: Restoring Christmas

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Spotlight on an Excellence in Editing Award-Winning Book: Restoring Christmas

 

This Excellence in Editing Award spotlight is Restoring Christmas by Cynthia Ruchti, edited by Jamie Chavez, and published by Focus on the Family/Tyndale.

Christi McGuire, director of the Christian Editor Connection, which hosts the annual EIE Awards, interviewed author Cynthia Ruchti and editor Jamie Chavez.

Author Cynthia Ruchti

Cynthia, how did you develop the idea for this book?  

Restoring Christmas is set in Algoma, WI—a real town that really does have a charming boardwalk along the shores of Lake Michigan. My brother and his family live in Algoma, so I’ve often (not often enough) visited, seeing the town through a tourist’s or newcomer’s eyes and also through the eyes of residents who understand the true flavor. Algoma and nearby Door County are enchanting areas. They’re places I go where I know my soul will be filled and refreshed. What better place to choose for the setting of a book that needs both the uniqueness of fall and the chill of approaching winter?

I’m a fan of home improvement and renovation shows on television, appreciating the creativity and problem-solving. Having the story revolve around a stone farmhouse restoration gave me the opportunity to vicariously walk through that process. As I began, I had no idea how deeply connected I would discover relationship repair, home restoration, and Christmas were connected on a larger scale. It’s a unique joy when the writer grows through the process of telling a story.

What did you enjoy the most about the writing process? 

I love exploring ideas. I love painting my characters into a corner and then unearthing a creative way to get them out of that corner. And I’m always delighted when God unveils hidden treasures in the story that I didn’t know would be there. The full story behind Elsie’s hesitance with her home renovation. What lay behind the scenes in her father’s history. Why Gabe’s Christmas tree was unlit. How honoring Elsie’s father would form such an important part of the Christmas celebration. All of it unfolded before me as I wrote. As they say, “No tears in the writer, no tears in the reader.”

What did you struggle with the most during the writing process?

Readers may not realize that when an author is writing a book, he or she is also juggling dozens of other responsibilities. Except for deadline week, when a writer hunkers down and postpones almost everything except finishing, an author is likely engaged in promoting the last book written, creating marketing plans for the current book, interacting with book clubs on a book released three years ago, creating proposals for a book that won’t release until two years in the future, perhaps even conducting radio interviews or writing guest blog posts, to say nothing of inescapable household duties and staying available for family and extended family needs. It’s the same for me. The greatest struggle usually is preserving creative time among all the other responsibilities. That … and finding just the right word, phrase, or metaphor to express what I believe needs to be said.

What tips can you give authors about working with freelance editors? 

Relax into the process. If you find a good editor, trust their instincts. Don’t abandon your own, but stay open to the studied instincts of the freelance editor. They don’t make suggestions to prove they’re worth having on the team. They care about the story and about its ability to communicate clearly and effectively. The partnership between a hard-working writer and a skilled editor is invaluable.

What does winning the Excellence in Editing Award mean to you?

It was an honor to receive the award, made all the more meaningful by the EIE’s intent to recognize that symbiotic relationship between author and editor. On a personal front, it held significance also because of the people cheering for this book, Restoring Christmas, including the judges, the people accepting for me in my absence, and the attention of the industry as a whole. I was blessed that WorthyInspired and Jamie Chavez were given something to celebrate, and a reminder that the story they invited me to write was, and is, having an impact. Thank you, EIE.

Editor Jamie Chavez

Jamie, how did you become connected with the author?

I had a relationship with Ramona Richards, who was (at that time) the fiction editor at Abingdon Press, and Cynthia had a book deal with Abingdon. I’d worked with Ramona on several titles, so she knew my work, and thought I’d be a good fit with Cynthia. (Our first book together was When the Morning Glory Blooms.) I count it a stroke of enormous good fortune that I was paired with such a skilled writer and storyteller! Over the years Cynthia and I had opportunities to run into each other at book events or to get together when she was in Nashville to see her publisher, and I am blessed, now, to call her my friend.

What do you enjoy the most about the editing process?

My mom always had a jigsaw puzzle going on a card table in the family room, and I loved staring at the pieces and noticing the little details that were clues to how the thing fit together. A fiction manuscript is like that—a lot of pieces, a lot of details that need to fit together in a way that will please the reader—and the author! So editing has an important collaborative aspect to it. The author brings a story, I bring my eye for detail, there’s a lot of back and forth … and I find a lot of joy in that. I love getting to work with an author on several books, because we get to know each other and the work becomes easier. So I guess the short answer to your question is I enjoy developing relationships with writers.

What tips can you give other freelance editors about working with authors?

  • Relationship is key.
  • Don’t be afraid to say no. (Also, don’t be afraid to say yes.)
  • Smile a lot.
  • Keep an open mind (because you’re not always right, you know!).
  • There’s more than one way to solve an editorial problem.
  • You win some, you lose some.

What do you wish authors knew about working with freelance editors?

  • If you want to be a professional writer, you need a for-real professional editor. Having published a book doesn’t qualify anyone to edit—they are different skill sets altogether. And having an English degree isn’t a qualification either.
  • Editors aren’t inexpensive. Be prepared to make an investment in yourself, financially and in your level of effort. Get the most out of it.
  • There is no magic wand. Only work.
  • Buy MS Word and learn how to use track changes.
  • Don’t spend a lot of time formatting; when we’re editing, nothing matters but the words.
  • Come prepared to the editing experience: don’t send an editor your first draft. Ever. Send, instead, your very best effort.
  • No editor wants an adversarial relationship with an author; we prefer teamwork. A little bit of laughter is good too.

What does working on an award-winning book mean to you?

It’s a huge thrill when one of my authors wins an award for a book I touched. But I think it’s important to remember it’s the author’s work! After he or she does all the heavy lifting (that writing thing, it’s hard work), it’s easy for me to waltz in at the end and nip here and tuck there and tweak something from pretty good to suh-weet. That’s the part of the work I love—whether the book wins an award or not.

Thank, Cynthia and Jamie! And congrats again on winning the 2017 EIE Award!

About the Author

Cynthia Ruchti tells stories hemmed-in-hope through award-winning novels, nonfiction, devotionals, and through speaking events for women. She serves as the ACFW professional relations liaison, helping connect authors, readers, retailers, libraries, and book clubs. She and her husband live in the heart of Wisconsin, not far from their three children and five (to date) grandchildren. Visit her website at http://www.cynthiaruchti.com.

About the Editor

Jamie Chavez worked for more than ten years with Thomas Nelson Publishers before becoming a freelance editor in 2004. She’s worked with some of the very best authors in the Christian publishing industry, including novelists Cynthia Ruchti, Jenny B. Jones, Deborah Raney, Nancy Rue, and nonfiction authors Rachel Held Evans, Aaron Chambers, Michael Hyatt, Cindy Morgan, and Michelle Ule—to name just a few. Books she’s edited have become New York Times best sellers and Christy and Carol award winners. The Advanced Writers and Speakers Association named her 2016 Fiction Editor of the Year. You can learn more at jamiechavez.com.

About the Book

Alexis Blake set out to restore a neglected building.

What she didn’t expect was to restore a life …

Alexis has one chance to land her own show on the Heart-and-Home Network, and nothing—not an uncooperative client, a job site without indoor plumbing, or a challenging videographer—is going to stand in her way.

Elsie Raymond, at seventy-plus, is far from the ideal client, but she knows exactly what she wants her fieldstone house to look like, and no designer can tell her otherwise.

Gabe Langley, the man with the camera, is caught in the middle and it is his wisdom and warmth that just may be the bridge that will bring these two women together. Can they restore more than just a house and save Christmas memories from being lost forever?

Purchase Restoring Christmas.

 

Enter the EIE Awards!

Are you the author, editor, or publisher of a 2017 published book? Submit it for the 2018 Excellence in Editing Award! The Christian Editor Connection wants to honor the teams behind well-written and well-edited books and is proud to announce our third annual Excellence in Editing Award.

This award celebrates newly released books that are superbly written, well edited, and published by a CBA publisher or self-published by a Christian author.

The CEC Excellence in Editing Award is open to all books published in hardcover or paperback in 2017. Books must be written in English, have been released in North America, and contain a Christian worldview.

The publication teams (authors, editors, publishers) behind the EIE award-winning books will be honored for their dedication and work and may mention this honor in their marketing, promotion, and publicity. The most valuable aspect of the award is its use as a book sales stimulator.

Visit https://christianeditor.com/eie/ for more information and to submit your entry. Deadline is December 31, 2017.

 

Spotlight on an Excellence in Editing Award-Winning Book: Life Lessons from the National Parks

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Spotlight on an Excellence in Editing Award-Winning Book: Life Lessons from the National Parks

 

The 2017 Excellence in Editing Awards were in June 2017. Out of dozens of entries, seven books won the EIE Award. On PEN Tips, we will be featuring the award-winning books, along with the authors and editors.

This week’s EIE Award spotlight is Life Lessons from the National Parks: Meeting God in America’s Most Glorious Places by Penny Musco, edited by Vie Herlocker, and published by Sonfire Media.

Christi McGuire, director of the Christian Editor Connection, which hosts the annual EIE Awards, interviewed author Penny Musco and editor Vie Herlocker.

Author Penny Musco

Penny, how did you develop the idea for this book?

Life Lessons from the National Parks began as a blog (which I still write). In 2009 my husband and I visited Florida’s Everglades National Park, and reading about, of all things, the lifecycle of a bald cypress tree made me think about its parallel to the Christian life. I told my husband I wanted to start a blog and call it “Life Lessons from the National Parks,” and by the way, would he set it up for me? Because he likes to learn new skills, is good with computers, and is just a really nice guy, he did. As the 2016 National Park Service centennial approached, I began to think the blog might be a book. I’d already learned that persistence is a huge part of being a freelance writer, and I believed in the idea so much that I stubbornly persevered through seventeen rejections before I landed at Sonfire.

What did you enjoy the most about the writing process? 

Writing about two things I love: the Lord and the national parks. Thanks to great training in discipleship, I relish digging into Scripture. I’ve been visiting national park sites most of my adult life, and after my 2009 stint as Artist in Residence for the National Park Service, I began to appreciate them even more. Bringing these two loves together is a pleasure!

What did you struggle with the most during the writing process?

Oh, sometimes reading the material over and over again, particularly for errors, was tedious—I’m not a great proofreader. Fortunately, both my husband and especially Vie are.

What tips can you give authors about working with freelance editors? 

Use the experience to become a better writer. Even though I’ve been a freelance writer for magazines for years, I was new to the world of book publishing. Vie patiently taught me a good deal about the business, and also about writing in general (nothing like a book-sized manuscript to uncover your quirks!). At the same time, hold on to your confidence in what you’re trying to say and the unique way in which only you can say it. Be willing to listen to criticism and make corrections, but don’t waver from your message and vision. Vie enabled me to do that.

What does winning the Excellence in Editing Award mean to you?

I was shocked, shocked, I tell you! I’ve never received any kind of prize for my work, but secretly dreamed of a day I would. Writing is sitting in front of a computer all by yourself, mostly interacting with others only through email, being told no a lot, wondering if anything you say is interesting or worthwhile, or if anybody even notices. Winning the Excellence in Editing Award is a big yes, for which I’m very grateful.

Editor Vie Herlocker

Vie, how did you become connected with the author?

Penny sent a proposal to Sonfire Media, a small traditional Christian publisher I am associated with. Not only was her writing sample excellent, her credentials for writing about the National Parks and her established platform as a journalist were impressive. I presented the proposal to our committee, and we offered her a contract.

Although Penny and I have not yet met in person, we worked closely via email and phone during the editing process.

What do you enjoy the most about the editing process?

I was an educator for many years, and I consider myself a teaching editor. Nothing excites me more than sharing with authors how they might move their manuscripts from great to excellent. Working with authors like Penny—ones who are confident but open to new ideas—and seeing their excitement over the finished products brings me great joy.

What tips can you give other freelance editors about working with authors?

My tagline is “Tough-Love Editing with a Tender Touch.” I believe it’s important to be an encourager, always honoring your author’s voice and vision for the manuscript. But be honest in your appraisal of the work, offering viable solutions for consideration.

Recognize that you will not always be right; help the author feel comfortable engaging you in discussion when there is a difference of opinion or a need for clarification.

Never stop learning. Continue to take classes, study books, and attend conferences for both editing and writing, so that you are the professional your author expects.

Most important, remember to pray regularly for your author.

What do you wish authors knew about working with freelance editors?

Editors want their authors to succeed. We work as a team, and when the book comes out, the editor shares your pride in your book.

What does working on an award-winning book mean to you?

Editing is my second career. Years ago, when God opened doors for me to edit for a publisher, I was not sure editing was for me. But I immersed myself in classes through The Christian PEN and studied every book on writing and editing that I could find, determined to give it my best.

Receiving this award with Penny is one more validation that editing is where God wants me to serve Him.

Thank, Penny and Vie! And congrats again on winning the 2017 EIE Award!

 

About the Author

Penny Musco is a freelance writer and performer, with a BA in Speech and Dramatic Art from the University of Iowa. Her magazine credits include Family Circle, More, Costco Connection, and Guideposts. As the first Artist in Residence at Homestead National Monument in Nebraska, she wrote and performed a one-woman show, Steal Away: The Story of a Homesteader and an Exoduster (http://www.steal-away.com). Penny lives in Florida with her husband, a theatre professional, with whom she has an adult daughter. Visit her website at www.pennymusco.com.

About the Editor

Vie Herlocker is a freelance editor at Cornerstone-Ink and is the editor for Sonfire Media, a traditional small press. She is a member of the Christian Editor Connection, The Christian PEN, ACFW, and ACW.

Vie coauthored a book for the educational market, ghostwrote a memoir, and has been published in compilation books and periodicals, including Penned from the Heart, Chicken Soup for the Empty Nester’s Soul, Christian Communicator, Church Libraries, Guideposts, Angels on Earth, and more. She is a workshop presenter for writing groups and conferences. Visit her website at www.cornerstone-ink.com.

About the Book

“Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in where nature may heal and cheer and give strength to the body and soul alike.” —John Muir, from The Yosemite, 1912

Whether you’re a hiker, a museum explorer, or a reader who travels vicariously, Life Lessons will take you on a four-season tour of some of America’s most glorious places within the National Park Service-and you’ll meet God along the way. In Life Lessons from the National Parks, author Penny Musco brings the NPS sites to life with her first-person experiences, shares Scripture and inspirational anecdotes that relate to the parks’ stories, and provides tips for planning your own visits and links to the sites that are referenced.

Life Lessons from the National Parks is endorsed by Michael J. Oard, co-author of the “True North National Park Series,” and by Cecil Murphey, author or co-author of more than 130 books, including Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story and 90 Minutes in Heaven with Don Piper.

Purchase Life Lessons from the National Parks on Amazon.

 

Enter the EIE Awards!

Are you the author, editor, or publisher of a 2017 published book? Submit it for the 2018 Excellence in Editing Award! The Christian Editor Connection wants to honor the teams behind well-written and well-edited books and is proud to announce our third annual Excellence in Editing Award.

This award celebrates newly released books that are superbly written, well edited, and published by a CBA publisher or self-published by a Christian author.

The CEC Excellence in Editing Award is open to all books published in hardcover or paperback in 2017. Books must be written in English, have been released in North America, and contain a Christian worldview.

The publication teams (authors, editors, publishers) behind the EIE award-winning books will be honored for their dedication and work and may mention this honor in their marketing, promotion, and publicity. The most valuable aspect of the award is its use as a book sales stimulator.

Visit https://christianeditor.com/eie/ for more information and to submit your entry. Deadline is December 31, 2017.

 

Spotlight on an Excellence in Editing Award-Winning Book: Broken Crayons Still Color

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Spotlight on an Excellence in Editing Award-Winning Book: Broken Crayons Still Color

 

This week’s EIE Award spotlight is Broken Crayons Still Color: From Our Mess to God’s Masterpiece by Shelley Hitz, edited by Deb Hall, and published by Body and Soul Publishing LLC.

Christi McGuire, director of the Christian Editor Connection, which hosts the annual EIE Awards, interviewed editor Deb Hall.

Deb, how did you become connected with the author?

Shelley and I initially met through the local writers’ group, Writers on the Rock. We both have been presenters at the group’s annual conference in Lakewood, Colorado.

What do you enjoy the most about the editing process?

I love the creative and collaborative aspects of editing—the way an editor gets to enhance an author’s writing and instruct on various writing issues but at the same time be an encourager and a cheerleader for the author.

What tips can you give other freelance editors about working with authors?

Remember that an author really wants to know how his or her target audience, his actual reader, might receive the manuscript. So, as much as possible, edit like a true reader and be thorough in offering whatever type of editing the author has requested. Be diplomatic and kind yet honest and clear in your feedback and suggestions.

What do you wish authors knew about working with freelance editors?

The editor-author relationship can be a very powerful, mutual connection filled with trust (that the editor is not going to overly redline a manuscript) and respect (where the author feels the editor has his or her best interests at heart).

What does working on an award-winning book mean to you?

I was thrilled to find out Shelley’s book had won this award. It is a powerful, heartfelt book with her story expressed in such a transparent way so that others will be blessed and encouraged. It was rewarding and humbling to be honored in this way for my contribution to the manuscript’s publication. Working with Shelley was a true joy!

Thanks, Deb! And congrats again on winning the 2017 EIE Award!

 

About the Author

Shelley Hitz is an award-winning and international best-selling author. However, most importantly she is a wife, daughter, sister, friend and follower of Christ. Shelley has been ministering alongside her husband, CJ, since 1998 and her main passion is to share God’s truth and the freedom in Christ she has found with others. She does this through her books, websites, and speaking engagements.

She is also the owner of TrainingAuthors.com where she helps authors get published and market their books. She teaches from personal experience. Shelley has been writing and publishing books since 2008 and has published more than 30 books, including print, e-book, and audio book formats.

Shelley’s openness and vulnerability as she shares her own story of hope and healing through her books will inspire and encourage you.

About the Editor

Deb Hall is a freelance editor at The Write Insight (TheWriteInsight.com) who loves the collaborative, creative effort of working on manuscripts, both fiction and nonfiction. As a former high school and college English teacher, Deb brings her extensive training in writing instruction to the task of helping authors create their best works. She enjoys every stage of editing, from manuscript critique to copyediting to proofreading. She has always loved language and the power of words to connect writers with readers. Deb lives in beautiful Golden, Colorado, with her husband and two sons.

About the Book

Many times what we see as our biggest regrets, failures, and mistakes become what God uses the most in our lives.

God transforms our brokenness into something more beautiful than we can even imagine. He takes our mess and creates a masterpiece.

You see, broken crayons still color.

Included in this book:

  • A 7-week book study that will inspire you with real stories of how God can take our broken crayons and create a masterpiece.
  • Adult coloring pages for each chapter.
  • Reflection questions to use while you color or as journaling prompts to help you apply each chapter to your own life.
  • Scripture memory verses for each week with downloadable Scripture cards.
  • Prayers to personally connect with God on the topics covered in each chapter.
  • Corresponding videos and fill-in-the-blank viewer guides for each week.
  • Leader’s guide with discussion questions in the appendix for group study.
  • And more!

Purchase Broken Crayons Still Color on Amazon.

Enter the EIE Awards!

Are you the author, editor, or publisher of a 2017 published book? Submit it for the 2018 Excellence in Editing Award! The Christian Editor

Connection wants to honor the teams behind well-written and well-edited books and is proud to announce our third annual Excellence in Editing Award.

This award celebrates newly released books that are superbly written, well edited, and published by a CBA publisher or self-published by a Christian author.

The CEC Excellence in Editing Award is open to all books published in hardcover or paperback in 2017. Books must be written in English, have been released in North America, and contain a Christian worldview.

The publication teams (authors, editors, publishers) behind the EIE award-winning books will be honored for their dedication and work and may mention this honor in their marketing, promotion, and publicity. The most valuable aspect of the award is its use as a book sales stimulator.

Visit https://christianeditor.com/eie/ for more information and to submit your entry. Deadline is December 31, 2017.

 

Spotlight on an Excellence in Editing Award-Winning Book: Rebirth

PEN Tips , , , , , , ,

Spotlight on an Excellence in Editing Award-Winning Book: Rebirth

 

The 2017 Excellence in Editing Awards were held on June 24 at the SoCal Christian Writer’s Conference in La Mirada, California. Out of dozens of entries, seven books won the EIE Award. On PEN Tips, we will be featuring the award-winning books, along with the authors and editors.

This week’s EIE Award spotlight is Rebirth by Amy Brock McNew, edited by Lindsay Franklin, and published by Love2ReadLove2Write.

Christi McGuire, director of the Christian Editor Connection, which hosts the annual EIE Awards, interviewed author Amy Brock McNew and editor Lindsay Franklin.

Author Amy Brock McNew

Amy, how did you develop the idea for this book?  

The story for the Reluctant Warrior Chronicles had been on my heart for years before I wrote it. The story is the result of my personal life and struggles and my fascination with the supernatural. It didn’t start out that way. I had the idea for humans that have “supercharged” gifts of the Spirit, and fought with the angels, but it wasn’t until I actually started writing that I realized the main character was essentially me. As her story evolved, that became even more apparent. My blog is titled “Guts on the Page” and never has that been more true than with TRWC. It is my story, my guts, my soul on those pages. To blend that with my love of the paranormal was natural.

What did you enjoy the most about the writing process? 

What I enjoyed the most was actually the editing! I know, most authors seem to loathe that phase, but it is my favorite. A lot of that is due to Lindsay, my editor. She taught me so much! I was already a published writer, but before Rebirth, it was songs and short articles. Learning to create the perfect flow, to come up with unique turns of phrase, to layer in subtext and foreshadowing, that opened a whole new world to me. Editing was and is a joy because that’s where I really get to bring my stories alive and make them shine. It’s where they come into their own, and I evolve and grow right along with them.

What did you struggle with the most during the writing process?

My biggest struggle was the personal aspect of this story. As I said earlier, all the personal bits are mine, retold in a somewhat different way, but the same at the core. Writing these trials and mistakes and heartaches into Liz and Ryland’s story was enlightening, gut-wrenching, and cathartic. Walking back through my memories, reliving those dark moments, and flaying myself onto the page for all to see was almost more than I could handle. But through it, I learned that I hadn’t dealt with the things I thought I had, and most importantly, I hadn’t forgiven the people I needed to. Finding peace and overcoming those demons was the best and worst part of the whole experience.

What tips can you give authors about working with freelance editors? 

First and foremost, LISTEN TO YOUR EDITOR. This doesn’t mean you have to make every change they suggest. It doesn’t mean that you lose your voice and take on theirs. It means you soak in their experience and instruction like a sponge, and use it. Editors, at their core, are teachers. Work with them, not against them, and you will have the best manuscript possible. Also, freelance editors tend to take on works they are drawn to, interested in, and believe in. Remember that. Yes, you pay them, but in a sense, they chose you. They decided to take on your project because they saw something in it. You’ll need this little boost when you get back that first round with so much red on it, it looks like someone literally bled on the page!

What does winning the Excellence in Editing Award mean to you?

Winning this award was a complete shock. I’m maniacal about editing, I study the craft constantly, and I have severe issues with being the best and only putting out perfect work. (I’m working on that!) Even so, I was floored when I found out I won. Honored and humbled. Those are the two words that immediately come to mind. That my little story was chosen out of so many fantastic, pristine works is so humbling and a wonderful honor. And the fact that it came at a time I needed encouragement the most? Well, for me, that’s providential.

 

Editor Lindsay Franklin

Lindsay, how did you become connected with the author?

I met Amy through a referral from another editor. My colleague was unable to take on Amy’s project right away, and Amy was ready to roll! So he connected us, we hit it off, and the rest is history.

What do you enjoy the most about the editing process?

I love to discover a rough diamond and polish it until it sparkles. It’s very gratifying to take a good story and make it excellent. Or to take functional, satisfactory prose and coax it to beauty. When my clients are able to achieve their goals the way Amy has…well, there’s no thrill quite like that. Getting to be a small part of it makes me fall in love with my job over and over again.

What tips can you give other freelance editors about working with authors?

I think it’s crucial we remember our role. An editor’s role isn’t to take an author’s story and make it her own. Her role is to make the author’s vision its absolute best. Sure, that might mean suggesting big changes to characters, plot, or writing mechanics; but the soul of that author’s story has to be preserved. Voice should be protected. None of my clients’ stories should leave my desk sounding like I wrote them.

What do you wish authors knew about working with freelance editors?

Our time is valuable. I know editing can be expensive. Most editors totally relate to what it’s like to be a “starving artist.” Which is why we can’t work for free or slash our prices very often. When a client hires me to do a full edit on her book, I’m going to be investing many hours in that project. I will do a thorough content edit first, diving deep into plot and characterization. I will analyze the author’s voice and the tone of the story. I’ll look at scene structure, story structure, and nitty-gritty sentence structure. After my client has revised her story, I’ll go through with a (proverbial) magnifying glass and polish away the errors. I’ll point out any remaining weaknesses in language, any moments where clarity is lacking. And I will fix all the missing commas. I read CMOS every day so you don’t have to. I love it, but it takes a significant amount of time, energy, and expertise. Editors need to be compensated for that investment.

What does working on an award-winning book mean to you?

Of course it’s absolutely wonderful to have one’s work recognized. It’s validating to have an impartial third party say, “Hey, you did well!” Amy’s project is particularly special. When she came to me, she had solid story ideas. I could tell immediately she had some sort of background in English (journalism), but she wasn’t very familiar with fiction techniques. Amy told me to be brutal with my edits. She said she wanted to learn, and she wanted to do it quickly. She wasn’t kidding! I would introduce her to a concept, like showing versus telling, and she’d get back to me within a couple days with the technique largely mastered. It was like watching an author baby grow up on fast forward. I loved it. We became great friends throughout the process. The best part—truly!—is that she doesn’t need me anymore. She has a wonderful publisher who handles her edits now. Maybe it’s weird to enjoy making myself obsolete, but I can’t help it. It means my clients are achieving their dreams.

Thanks, Amy and Lindsay! And congrats again on winning the 2017 EIE Award!

About the Author

Meet Amy Brock McNew. Author. Fighter. Musician. Former nurse and martial artist. She puts her guts onto the pages she writes, honestly and brutally revealing herself in the process. This wife and mom is a lover of music, chocolate, the beach, and cherry vanilla Coke. She believes everyone should have a theme song. Strangely enough, her kids are the ones who have to tell her to turn the music down. Amy and her Taekwondo-instructor husband are constantly acting like overgrown kids—and loving every minute of it. She longs for the day when her husband retires so she can write her adventures of love and war on a back porch overlooking the ocean. In flip flops.

About the Editor

Lindsay A. Franklin is an award-winning author, freelance editor, and homeschooling mom of three. She would wear pajama pants all the time if it were socially acceptable. She spends a lot of time in made-up worlds, and she’s passionate about sparking imagination through stories of infinite possibility. Her debut fantasy novel, The Story Peddler, releases in 2018. When she’s not exploring the fantastical, she’s exploring the Bible and encouraging young women through her devotional books.

Lindsay lives in her native San Diego with her husband (master of the dad joke), their awesomely nerdy kids, two thunder pillows (AKA cats), and a stuffed wombat with his own Instagram following (@therealwombatman). You can find Lindsay on social media, too, if Wombatman hasn’t hijacked all her accounts. She’s @LinzyAFranklin on Instagram and Twitter, and she Facebooks at www.facebook.com/LindsayAFranklin.

About the Book

Liz Brantley has a gift she wants to return.

Able to see and fight demonic forces, she has spent her life alone, battling the minions of hell bent on her destruction, running from the God who gave her this curse. Drawn to her abilities, the demon Markus unleashes havoc on her hometown and pulls Liz further into the throes of battle.

She’s desperate for a normal life.

When she meets a mysterious man who seems unaware of the mystical realm that haunts her, the life she’s always wanted moves within reach. But her slice of normal slips from her grasp when an old flame, Ryland Vaughn, reappears with secrets of his own. Secrets that will alter her destiny.

Torn between two worlds, Liz is caught in an ancient war between good and evil.

And she isn’t sure which side to choose.

Purchase Rebirth on Amazon.

Enter the EIE Awards!

Are you the author, editor, or publisher of a 2017 published book? Submit it for the 2018 Excellence in Editing Award! The Christian Editor Connection wants to honor the teams behind well-written and well-edited books and is proud to announce our third annual Excellence in Editing Award.

This award celebrates newly released books that are superbly written, well edited, and published by a CBA publisher or self-published by a Christian author.

The CEC Excellence in Editing Award is open to all books published in hardcover or paperback in 2017. Books must be written in English, have been released in North America, and contain a Christian worldview.

The publication teams (authors, editors, publishers) behind the EIE award-winning books will be honored for their dedication and work and may mention this honor in their marketing, promotion, and publicity. The most valuable aspect of the award is its use as a book sales stimulator.

Visit https://christianeditor.com/eie/ for more information and to submit your entry. Deadline is December 31, 2017.

 

Spotlight on an Excellence in Editing Award-Winning Book: The Caregiving Season

Articles for Freelancers, PEN Tips , , , , , ,

Spotlight on an Excellence in Editing Award-Winning Book: The Caregiving Season

The 2017 Excellence in Editing Awards were held on June 24 at the SoCal Christian Writer’s Conference in La Mirada, California. Out of dozens of entries, seven books won the EIE Award. On PEN Tips, we will be featuring the award-winning books, along with the authors and editors.

Our first EIE Award spotlight is The Caregiving Season: Finding Grace to Honor Your Aging Parents by Jane S. Daly, edited by Mick Silva, and published by Focus on the Family/Tyndale.

Christi McGuire, director of the Christian Editor Connection, which hosts the annual EIE Awards, interviewed author Jane Daly and editor Mick Silva.

Author Jane S. Daly

Jane, how did you develop the idea for this book?  

After I wrote my first book, I was in the midst of caring for my ailing father. I thought if I was going through this season, surely others were too. I asked friends and acquaintances if they felt overwhelmed by the issues surrounding watching their parents age, and I received a resounding YES. It seemed like everyone I knew was in my position.

What did you enjoy the most about the writing process? 

It forced me to dig deep and look at issues I hadn’t been aware of in my relationships with my brothers.

What did you struggle with the most during the writing process?

Ha, ha—see above! The Lord used the writing process to clear out some gunk in my thinking, and it was difficult to face.

What tips can you give authors about working with freelance editors? 

Find someone you like and trust. Don’t be afraid to interview more than one person. I created a list of questions for the editors I interviewed, and we chatted over the phone. Ask for recommendations from friends and other writers. Don’t be afraid to discuss price, as this process can be a huge expense.

What does winning the Excellence in Editing Award mean to you?

I am grateful to have won because it gave me the chance to honor Mick, who made this book shine. I couldn’t have done it without him. I LOVED being able to give him the credit for being an excellent editor.

 

Editor Mick Silva

Mick, how did you become connected with the author?

It was through a mutual friend. I remember loving her writing sample and thinking it’d make a great book for Focus. I’d worked there for many years and they largely trained me in what to look for—a solid concept, engaging, conversational writing, and a strong network of support. Jane was the total package.

What do you enjoy the most about the editing process?

Oh gosh, can I say everything? I’m endlessly inspired by the editing process and wish there were more hours in the day. There’s the teaching aspect, of course, which is really an extension of the relationship you gain through reading and talking weekly. We revel a bit about books we’re reading and share our joy and excitement for capturing ideas in clear, compelling language. It’s a remarkable gift to get to shepherd so many brilliant minds and God-haunted stories.

What tips can you give other freelance editors about working with authors?

This will sound strange, but cherish the whole messy, unresolved, frankly tedious gestation of that book. It’s got to be given priority—not your ideas or the author’s vision or even readers, though those are important. The book has to reveal what it needs to be. Only prayer and the persistence of a certain biblical widow can make that fledgling sparrow sprout wings and add its unique voice to the ever-expanding conversation. As editor, you get to hold hostage for a limited time all that power and energy and vitality that book is going to have in many lives. Cherish it—it’ll be time to let go sooner than you’d like.

What do you wish authors knew about working with freelance editors?

Good question. Initially, I always tell people I’m not running a charity. I’ve got plenty to do and I’m not your mom. I don’t wipe noses or clean up your messes, and I’m certainly not doing this for my mental health. We need to set a schedule and stick to it or it’ll cost extra. You can have fast, cheap, or good, so decide which one you want most. After that’s out of the way, we commiserate about how hard this book stuff is. Editors can be the most generous, friendly, engaging, and intelligent people, aside from second-grade teachers, who are God’s perfect people.

What does working on an award-winning book mean to you?

Hopefully, more amazing clients! (Not more amazing than Jane, of course.) Also, fame, fortune, and bragging rights. Although I’d settle for working with Jane again. I’m honored and touched by the award and certainly there are many editors who work behind the scenes that deserve awards for their tireless work. Mostly, I’m grateful for the recognition of Jane, her excellent book, the Christian editing field, and the inspiring art of editing.

Thanks, Jane and Mick! And congrats again on winning the 2017 EIE Award!

About the Author

Jane S. Daly is a Christian author, columnist, and speaker. Since 2008 she’s had articles published in Compass Magazine, Gospel Publishing House LIVE, Covenant Home Altar, and Splickety Magazine. She has a bi-weekly column in her local paper, The Grapevine Independent, covering Chamber of Commerce and other community events. She is a member of Inspire Christian Writers, Oregon Christian Writers, American Christian Fiction Writers Association, and Christian Author’s Network. Her website is http://janesdaly.com.

About the Editor

Mick Silva is a freelance editor with nearly 20 years’ publishing experience and an advisor to several bestselling authors, agents, and publishers. He writes a weekly blog of inspiration for writers and lives in Portland, Oregon with his wife, Sheri, and their two daughters. His website is http://www.micksilva.com.

About the Book

Caring for elderly parents is challenging. It’s a season of life that requires grace and strength that can only come from God. In The Caregiving Season, Jane Daly shares personal caregiving stories, offering practical advice to help you honor your aging parents well and deepen your personal relationship with Christ along the journey. It is available on Amazon.

 

 

 

Enter the EIE Awards!

Are you the author, editor, or publisher of a 2017 published book? Submit it for the 2018 Excellence in Editing Award! The Christian Editor Connection wants to honor the teams behind well-written and well-edited books and is proud to announce our third annual Excellence in Editing Award.

This award celebrates newly released books that are superbly written, well edited, and published by a CBA publisher or self-published by a Christian author.

The CEC Excellence in Editing Award is open to all books published in hardcover or paperback in 2017. Books must be written in English, have been released in North America, and contain a Christian worldview.

The publication teams (authors, editors, publishers) behind the EIE award-winning books will be honored for their dedication and work and may mention this honor in their marketing, promotion, and publicity. The most valuable aspect of the award is its use as a book sales stimulator.

Visit https://christianeditor.com/eie/ for more information and to submit your entry. Deadline is December 31, 2017.

 

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