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Interview: Ellen Edwards, Executive Editor at Penguin Random House

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image001I have been with Ellen Edwards at New American Library, a division of Penguin Random House, since I became a traditionally published author. In an age where writers often lament that they do not get edited, I can firmly say that not only do I get edited, but Ellen’s sharp eye, brilliance, and insights have greatly enhanced my work. She is a master at finding the diamond in the rough, and like any great coach, she encourages me to grow and learn from each writing experience. My editorial relationship with Ellen has been one of the most positive aspects of my career, thus far.

I am honored that Ellen took time from her merciless editing cycle to answer some of my questions for those of you hoping to publish or already published with a traditional house. Even those of you who have gone an independent route, I think, will find some of her advice very helpful.

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How many years have you been involved in publishing, and what were some of your titles?

I have been in publishing for 36 years, the last 16 of them at New American Library, a division of Penguin Random House. I specialized in romance for the first 20 years and am proud to have worked with Kathleen Woodiwiss, Catherine Anderson, Lisa Kleypas, Loretta Chase, and Laura Kinsale. Titles with NAL include WHISTLING IN THE DARK by Lesley Kagen, ROOFTOPS OF TEHRAN by Mahbod Seraji, and FLIGHT OF THE SPARROW by Amy Belding Brown. Some current authors are: Monica McInerney, Jeff High, Stephanie Thornton, Simone St. James, Susan Meissner, Donna Thorland, Jeanne Mackin, C. S. Harris, Kate Carlisle, and of course Erika Robuck.

What changes over the years do see as positive for the industry? [Read more…]

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Sparkle, From Movie to Book

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Typically we hear about books being turned into movies. Occasionally, it happens the other way; a movie gets "novelized." My friend Denene Millner recently turned the screenplay for the movie "Sparkle" into a book, and I asked her to share with Writer Unboxed what that experience was like. Following is our Q&A: How did the project come to you? My brilliant agent, Victoria Sanders, conjured it up after several conversations with me about my love for Whitney Houston and the impact she … [Read more...]

AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Keith Cronin – Part 2

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Jan’s confession: Prior to reading Keith’s book, Me Again, I had no expectation of doing a two-part interview, but it wasn’t long before I succumbed to his Nick Hornby-ish voice. When my ex-physician self began to laugh, nod and applaud his fictionalized account of a very real health issue – recovery from stroke – I knew I was in. For the story behind the book, and to how Keith overcame special craft issues posed by his narrator’s disabilities, please see Part 1. Today, among other things, … [Read more...]

AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Keith Cronin – Part 1

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“I was born on a Tuesday morning. It was a difficult birth, because I was thirty-four years old.” Wry, self-aware, and intelligent, this is the voice of stroke-victim Jonathan Hooper, narrator of Keith Cronin’s debut novel, Me Again, out in hardcover though Five Star. Here’s the blurb for the book: Miracles can be damned inconvenient. That’s what thirty-four-year-old stroke victim Jonathan Hooper learns when he emerges from a six-year coma. Now his memory’s gone, his body withered, and … [Read more...]

Interview with Lorin Oberweger, Part 2

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If you missed part one of my interview with independent book editor Lorin Oberweger, click HERE, then come back. Lorin not only has nearly two decades of experience in the publishing industry, she's an expert at honing in on what writers want--what they need--and offering workshops tailor-made for them. She's also a ghostwriter and award-winning author, so have no doubt she knows what she's talking about. We're thrilled she took time out of her busy schedule to talk about who might benefit best … [Read more...]

Take Five: Heart’s Blood by Juliet Marillier

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WU contributor and bestselling fantasy author Juliet Marillier has a new book out! Heart's Blood hits shelves in the US and Australia today. To celebrate, she would like to offer two copies of her new book to Writer Unboxed. Becoming eligible for one of these copies is as easy as leaving a comment at the end of this post between now and Sunday, November 8th. We'll choose two winners at random after that date and announce shortly thereafter. Want to know more about this fabulous new book? … [Read more...]

Interview with Lorin Oberweger, Part 1

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Lorin Oberweger is a highly sought-after independent book editor and ghostwriter with more than eighteen years experience in the publishing industry. Her company, Free Expressions, also offers writing seminars nationwide with Donald Maass and others. In addition, she serves as editorial director for the renowned Writers Retreat Workshop. Lorin is also an award-winning author, whose poetry, short fiction, and articles have appeared in well over one-hundred periodicals, including The Montserrat … [Read more...]

Take Five: Ann Aguirre and Doubleblind

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WU contributor Ann Aguirre has a book out today--the third book in her rocking Grimspace series, Doubleblind. We know you have inquiring minds; we know you want to know. So we asked Ann five questions about her new book to learn more. Q: What's the premise of your new book? AA: Doubleblind is the diplomacy book, where Jax has to take off her ass-kicking boots and learn to solve problems with words instead. Q: What would you like people to know about the story itself? AA: Uhm. Am I … [Read more...]