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This line from one of my old emails made me chuckle:
"Has Ron expressed his everlasting, undying love for the word 'wonderfully,' or can we delete it from the cover copy?"*
Perhaps "Ron" wasn't ready to marry the word, but he *was* attached. The editorial team respected his preferences, just as he respected our expertise. It was a good working relationship.
And yes, his book ended up doing well. Wonderfully, even, from what I can see.
*Details changed for anonymity.
Looking through emails from years ago, when I was an editorial assistant and author relations coordinator. My main reactions:
1. I was great at my job, when I could do it! ^_^
2. Wow, I was extremely stressed, and that burnout was just as bad as I remember, if not worse. This is hard to read. Bless my gracious colleagues.
Good job, past me, for dealing with so many emails on a daily basis. You did fantastic. Let's never, ever do that again, okay?
I appreciate this YouTube short from Elizabeth Wheatley (whose books I need to read): https://youtube.com/shorts/PJ3dKuG3lx0?si=4NFBEQDw1MdvVykq
It immediately made me smile, with defining the meaning of “Christian author.” (The market you write for and your personal beliefs don’t always have the same label!)
Then she answers questions about what she’s comfortable writing—including spicy scenes.
Her books also have demons, and not in a Screwtape Letters way.
Yeah, she definitely doesn’t write for the Christian market. 😅
There are so many big, ethical issues with AI and how companies train and use their LLMs.
I also have petty, selfish reasons to dislike AI. For example, I don't wanna deal with writing a new policy.
Many #edibuddies have created and posted AI policies, and I suppose it's past time to do the same.
I included this in a LinkedIn post today:
"I do not use generative AI when I edit. I'm here to help you strengthen your voice, and AI has no role in that beautifully human process."
I think that's a decent start. I also need a written policy about editing AI-generated text. I work with human authors, not LLMs. I do need to acknowledge nuance involving "AI-assisted" text, though.
Once again, Jane Friedman has created a very helpful resource for authors and editors! This time, it's about AI, copyright, and related law:
https://janefriedman.com/ai-and-publishing-faq-for-writers/
I've pinned this page to my bookmarks bar for easy reference. You may wish to do the same.
I am one of the nearly 10,000 authors contributing our names to Don't Steal This Book; a protest launched today at the London Book Fair.
If AI developers wish to use our work in their software they can ask us for permission. If we agree, they can pay us to license it on clearly defined terms.
This is how copyright operates.
Tech companies ignoring copyright is theft. For the UK government to even consider allowing this to continue is a disgrace.
Usage/Spelling tip!
❌ per say
✅ per se
Meaning:
"Per se" means "by itself" or "in itself."
"Per say" is a relatively meaningless combination of words.
Use in a sentence:
"I'm not obsessed with 'correct' grammar, per se. I simply like clear communication and smooth-flowing sentences."
I haven't been paid to write an author bio in almost three years—maybe longer. I advertise myself as a book editor, not a copywriter.
Recently, I needed to write my own bio. I spent *hours* trying to do it in first person. I had so much I wanted to say and explain, and I couldn't decide what was most important.
Then I switched over to third person, as if I were writing someone else's bio. Suddenly, the words flowed easily.
Good to know my copywriting skills are still there when I need them.
Juliet E McKenna
Thomas 