Dear Sally…
Get to editors by getting in the loop. Join the main writer’s group(s) for your category/genre, then actively monitor the group’s online forums and newsletters and attend its events. Suddenly you’ll have chances to connect with editors. At group chapter meetings, guest editors may invite attendees to submit a manuscript, bypassing their houses’ “no unsolicited submissions” policies. At group conferences, faculty editors do one-on-one critiques (for a fee). At small group workshops, faculty editors work directly with the attendees on their manuscripts. And in group newsletters, editors post alerts whenever they suspend the “no unsolicited submissions” policy (usually when they’re switching houses). Get in a loop.
Happy writing!
The Editor
Like any job, it’s about connections. Hang around long enough, you meet people. At least I hope so. That’s my game plan. Thanks for the confirmation.
Have you been to Publishers Marketplace? http://www.publishersmarketplace.com/
Preditors and Editors is a good resource, too. http://pred-ed.com/ These sites can help you get background info on editors and houses.
Also, when going to hear an editor speak, search on the Internet for their name, and you can find interviews and more info to help prepare you for meeting them.
I’m in a number of writers’ forums on different sites, but am obviously in the wrong ones ’cause I’ve never see anything about editors. I guess I have to dig deeper…
Have you tried SCBWI meetings? (Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators) The organization has a website under that name which gives names, addresses of local chapters in near every state and many foreign countries.
To add to this comment, I’ve been on several SCBWI list serves that give market info. Have you also checked Verla Kay’s boards? I’m not on there myself but have heard good things about it.
Yes,have been on it and it is very helpful.
For the children’s book world, SCBWI is a vital resource. The Verla Kay board also has a lot of market/editor talk, so you can keep up to the minute.
Thanks Shelley, I am a member of SCBWI! They have a lot of great resources.
Great advice! And, of course, you can also get to editors through an agent. But getting the agent is a whole ‘nother story…
Thanks for the help!
Yes, conferences are an excellent way to get an editor’s attention! Also, another way to get past the No Unsolicited Submissions dilemma is to get an agent. That’s what I did. 🙂