Q&A With Eva Kelly Hall

We often forget that editors, agents, publicists & book marketers are just as important as the authors who write the books because they help the authors. I’m doing a Q&A with Book Editor Eva Kelly Hall! 

Q: Eva, how long have you been an editor for? What drew you into a career in editing authors books?

A: Editing and proofreading was always something I did for friends and as short-term assignments, either in-house or freelance. I started my business in 2022. I love words, and I am in awe of the writers who can spin whole worlds with them! I started writing for fun as soon as I knew how to hold a pencil and diagram sentences for fun in middle school. I adore the flexible but cohesive structure of grammar. 

Q: What is your favorite part & least favorite part about editing & why?

A: As mentioned, I love grammar, so copyediting (word- and sentence-level editing) is my favorite level of editing. I love working with the actual language on my clients’ actual manuscripts. My least favorite part of editing is all the admin work involved. Freelance work is often said to be “feast or famine,” and that is truly no fun, either.

Q: What wisdom have you learned that you hope anyone wanting to become an editor would know? 

A: Find good mentors. Ask a lot of questions. Pass on clients who aren’t a perfect fit for you to your edit buddies. And find ways to have face time with people, whether at a conference, a co-working session, or even just meeting on Zoom. We editors work in isolation, which can get lonely at times. 

Q: I enjoy asking editors this question! Can you give a list of authors you’ve edited their books for? 

A: Last year, I was happy to work on The Infielders by Lewis Segal. It’s about a group of four boys in the 1940s in Washington Heights, New York City. They’re from different backgrounds and brought together through their love of baseball, becoming lifelong friends. I hope to work with Lew on his forthcoming sequel as well.

Also, even editors need editors! I had the honor of proofreading a proofreading presentation by my colleague Jennifer Dinsmore. I also did developmental editing for a picture book by a fellow editor, Lisa Kaitz.

Q: For future authors who want you to edit their work, what are the correct steps to take? Would someone email you their story in a Word document?

A: Eventually, yes, I would ask for the manuscript as a Word document. First, though, I typically start with a sample edit. That way, the author can see if they like my editorial style, I can make sure I’m the right editor for the piece, and I can estimate how much time it will take (and from that, my fee). The first step is to fill out my contact form on my website: www.atxeva.com/contact.

Q: Would you ever consider being an author one day since you have experience in editing? What genre would you write in if you were to write a book?

A: I think I’d write essays. When I was younger, I wanted to be the next Dorothy Parker. Now I realize I’ll more likely take up Fran Lebowitz’s writer’s block once she’s gone.

Q: Would you like to provide social media links for my readers to follow you and contact you? 

A: All my social media links are on my website contact page (above) and at linktr.ee/atxeva. I’d love to hear about what your readers are writing (and reading)!

Thanks for doing this Q&A with me!