First Word

It's one thing to want to do something, it's another thing to actually do it. They can teach theory in the classroom, but until you've dug deep, gotten your hands sublimely dirty, and really entrenched yourself in the experience, you can't learn the most important lessons and realities. So, to help anyone else (and these are life lessons) here are some general tips. Do not beat yourself up if you're an editor and there's a mistake or even two . All those meticulous copy editors out there who are single minded about not making one mistake in a 50,000 to 75,000 or 100,000 word book have truly put too much pressure on themselves into a never-good-enough reality. If I have learned nothing else in editing ... there is going to be a mistake ... somewhere. It requires minimally two sets or preferably three sets of eyes to clean up a manuscript. If you're sense of "perfection" (which there is no such thing) is about the erroneous belief you will see ever...

New writers make common mistakes when they pitch their manuscripts. If you've had an occasion to actually get in front of a publisher then you better scramble and have your act together. My time is valuable. Publishers don't have time to sit and listen, so if you're fortunate enough to get that precious pitch time, take advantage and don't make these common mistakes. Free, free and free -- and what's not in it for me . Some authors will call me just to "pick my brain" even though they have no intention of working with me. They will want me to help them write a query or proposal without any idea that it's an outrageous request. We do provide proposal-writing services not for FREE. I'm just saying. Not to mention a complete stranger asking me for "favors" is slightly ridiculous, too. I don't know you, remember? Read my entire book -- another common blunder. Writers expect I am going to read their entire manuscript. I may read th...