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Absolutely love this thread by Amanda!
Also want to share a little insight into how I review subs and decide what to take to acquisitions (acq.)
So, a bit of a thread! (1/8) https://twitter.com/AmandaIsA_Ram/status/1354805811982200834
Also want to share a little insight into how I review subs and decide what to take to acquisitions (acq.)
So, a bit of a thread! (1/8) https://twitter.com/AmandaIsA_Ram/status/1354805811982200834
First, know that I'm a bit of a slow reader. And since I'm still assisting two senior-level editors, I also am balancing my work for them and my own editorial work.
So while my list is growing, I am being very selective with what I bring to acq. (2/8)
So while my list is growing, I am being very selective with what I bring to acq. (2/8)
Even when I tell agents my MSWL and they send me projects that fits exactly with what I asked, it might not be the perfect project for me. It could be the story, the writing, it could be that I, simply, don't fall in love with it. And I have to really fall for a project. (3/8)
I read oldest subs first unless I get nudges/notices that projects are moving to acq elsewhere. B/c I'm being selective, I read through the whole project, not just a couple of chapters. If I fall in love, I bring it to my bosses to discuss taking it to acq (3/8)
So what does falling in love look like? It could literally be for any reason. The voice! The writing! The Author! It could be my perfect MSWL or something completely different that I take a chance on.
When we say this industry is very subjective, this is what we mean!
(4/8)
When we say this industry is very subjective, this is what we mean!
(4/8)
So listen y'all, prepping for acq takes me like several days at a time. I'm doing comp research, writing up the memo, writing up my presentation, doing P&Ls, etc. It's a whole lot.
And of course, these steps also include emailing others and waiting for their replies. (5/8)
And of course, these steps also include emailing others and waiting for their replies. (5/8)
Going to acq with a project is a lot more work than you'd think. I also might need to convince the acq team that this is the project to take a chance on. And if it becomes competitive and is an auction? WHEW! I could have a whole work week just gone! (6/8)
Like Amanda said, we can't buy every book we like. It's just not possible. We don't have the bandwidth, the space on our lists, or sometimes, we do finish reading the project and don't feel like we're the right editor for it for a variety of reasons. (7/8)
I wish I could tell y'all precisely what makes a submission THE ONE. But again, it's all so subjective. Every submission is different. It's all a case-by-case basis! The book I reject may be another editor's perfect project. And likewise! (8/8)
