The Editor-Author Relationship

• The editor and author are interdependent; the editor serves the
author

• Be accessible

• Encourage the author

• Consult the editorial committee

• Guard your Company’s mission

• Motivate/nurture the author

• Guide the foreign writer

• Sometimes have to say “no”

• Must keep learning

Practical Tips

• Listen to the author

• Explain the editing and publishing processes; establish realistic
expectations
• Agree on the vision for the manuscript: theme, audience, ministry
value
• Notify the author of any changes in schedule or publishing plan
• Guide the author in making as many of the revisions as possible
• Suggest gently how to improve the writing
• Ask questions about the author’s points; be positive
• Keep the book in the author’s voice; avoid inserting your own
opinions
• Admit your mistakes
• Promptly let the author know if the manuscript is accepted or
rejected

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• Do not lose sight of your role; the author is sensitive to your
comments
• Recognize the value of manuscripts; pay as much and as soon as
possible
• Reward work well done; assign the author a new project
• Consult the author and treat his opinions with respect at all stages
of the publishing process, e.g. cover design, text layout, marketing
• Treat the author as a professional, i.e. with respect
• Answer correspondence/emails quickly; use an encouraging tone
• Be specific when asking the author to do or change something, e.g.
when suggesting new projects
• Write comments for those manuscripts you won’t publish so that the
authors can improve/learn
• Organize literary workshops; help your author to improve on his
skills
• Create/facilitate writers’ groups
• Befriend your author; gain a better understanding/perspective of
him/her
• Call the author from time to time just to say hello
• At Christmas send them a gift or at least a card
• Remember key dates, e.g. author’s birthday
• Invite your author to booksellers’ events, honour them publicly
• Be there for them during book-sales related events, e.g. launches,
author-signing sessions