I’m working on an anthology for Crown/Random House (the publishers of Tales of a Female Nomad) called: FEMALE NOMAD AND FRIENDS, Tales of Breaking Free and Breaking Bread around the World. It’ll be out in July. There are 40 authors telling tales of connecting in other cultures. The stories are wonderful. They’ll make you laugh out loud….and they’ll make you cry. I’ve been collecting these stories for years! They’re great. So are the more than 20 recipes in the book.
All the royalties from this book will go for scholarships to slum kids in India…so my heart is really in it.
Today, the final edit (from the copy editor) arrived and I’m going nuts. My friend and co-editor on this, Maria Altobelli, and I worked hard at maintaining the integrity of the writers’ styles. The copy editor’s goal seems to be to make them all sound alike. Standardization was the word in the cover letter.
As a writer I play with words, grammar, fragments of sentences. Even punctuation. My interest is diversity; hers is standardization. I have until the 15th to get it done, not even ten days. The final decisions are ours, so the book will still be wonderful………..but it’s going to be a long haul. Today was a waste as I just kept getting more and more upset.
I want personality and slang, and uniqueness…..she wants standardization of grammar and punctuatation. Example: ”It kind of snuck up on me.” She changed it to “It kind of sneaked up on me.” No way! It’s a totally different sound and personality. Oh, this is not going to be a good ten days…it’s due back at Random House on the 16th.
I’m going to be in Todos Santos, Mexico (Baja) from the 16th until January 6th…..with internet, beach, and family.
If I survive the edit.
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Oh good luck with that! If it helps any I think I’d much rather read 40 unique stories than ones that all sounded alike…
Todos Santos always manages to put everything… everything in perspective!
I can’t wait for this book to come out, to read all the wonderful tales as well as to try the delicious recipes.
I’m so glad that you have the final say, so that the individual voices remain. Good luck and you will finish. Just think of the beach…
Hi Dear Rita……I love your blog and your sense of humor about your editor! I love your writing, just the way it is. I’m also looking forward to your new book! You’re always in my thoughts and prayers and I am sending you good wishes and many blessings on your movement. I hope our paths cross again in the near future.
Love and all the best to you,
Rozetta