Authors In The Media With Christine Pride 

I am excited about doing this Authors In The Media Q&A with New York Times Bestselling Author & Editor Christine Pride. Last May I did a Q&A with Christine & Jo Piazza which you can read by clicking on the link here https://booknotions.com/qa-with-christine-pride-jo-piazza/ , & I am delighted to be doing this Authors In The Media Q&A discussing Christine’s editing career. 

Q: Christine in our Q&A with Jo last May, you mentioned that you were originally in college for journalism, but life pulled you into the publishing world. You spent two decades as a book editor. That’s so amazing! What are your favorite & least favorite parts about editing authors books? 

A: I love just about everything involved in being a book editor– it will always be my first love, even now having switched to “novelist” mode for the moment.  For one, you never know what projects and new books and voices are going to cross your desk for consideration, which is always exciting. I’ve learned so much reading a range of proposals for non-fiction and memoir over the decades, along with novels– even from the books I didn’t go on to acquire.  Of course, the acquisitions’ part is very exciting– and maybe my favorite part of the process.  Falling in love with a story and gushing about it to the author and then convincing them that you would be the best editor– it’s quite a rush. The editorial process itself is very gratifying. That work is deeply engaging and creative and when you really feel like you’re helping the author realize their vision and improve their craft in tangible ways, there’s no better feeling. Although, seeing readers connect with the story when it’s out in the world comes close. 

Q: You’ve edited so many authors’ stories and memoirs, could you give a list of some of these authors you’ve worked with?  

A: I’ve been lucky to work with some amazing writers and storytellers– 

Tell Me Where It Hurts by Nick Trout

Heaven in Here by Stephanie Nielson

No One Tells You This by Glynnis MacNicol

The Ghosts are Family by Maisy Card

Three Girls from Bronzeville by Dawn Turner

From Scratch by Tembi Locke

….to name a few from the beginning until now.

Q: What are important lessons that you’ve learned that you want us & future book editors to know?

A: One of the most important things I’ve learned is that writing a book is such a vulnerable, difficult enterprise and there’s a huge emotional component to it that the editor must be sensitive too. (I’ve had many authors in tears during some part of the process, just because it’s so emotionally intense).  I take seriously my role as a cheerleader and support because encouragement can go such a long way. The lesson is that there’s a therapist element to the editorial role, along with everything else.  

Another critical lesson: Be kind– careers are long, worlds are small. Your reputation in this business is an asset.

Q: What would aspiring authors need to do, to get you to edit their fiction and nonfiction books? I’m curious about what the process is & I’ve dabbled into writing my own stories. One of them being a mystery story. 

A: When I work “in house” at a publishing company, getting on my radar is a matter of an author having their literary agent submit their work to me for consideration for publication.  Now, since I’m freelance editing, it’s a matter of reaching out to me via email and seeing what my availability and bandwidth is to work on any given project. I have somewhat limited availability overall now, but if the stars and timing align, I’m always happy to take on editorial work to keep my skills sharp. Also, see: first love.

Q: Would you say that your career as an editor helped with you writing your stories? 

A: ABSOLUTELY. Unequivocally.  As an editor, you get loads of practice helping people shape structure, pacing, character development, etc. so much so that it becomes almost intuitive. When it came down to writing my own books, I internalized all those building blocks. I also had a great handle on reader and audience expectations and that served me well, too.  Of course, crafting sentences is still very hard and sometimes you can get so close to your own work you can’t see it anymore– so I ran into those inevitable pitfalls as a writer but overall, all those years guiding other people with their writing certainly helped my own.