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ST. MARTIN'S EDITOR MONIQUE PATTERSON |
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Shades Of Romance Magazine: Please share with us your background and what your present position and responsibilities. Monique Patterson: I started out at Avon Books, which was later bought by HarperCollins. I worked with some wonderful people there and edited some terrific authors in the Avon/Harper romance program. I came to St. Martin's at the end of last year to take on the position as Editor and I'm very excited. I will be acquiring romance, women's fiction, African-American fiction and non-fiction for hardcover, trade original and mass market.SORM: What is a typical editing day like? PATTERSON: Umm. . .what is typical exactly? *laugh* There is so much that does and can go on in day in publishing. I'll tell you one thing, though, it's not the actual editing! That happens when you go home. Shades Of Romance Magazine: What do you enjoy most about your position? PATTERSON: I enjoy being able to pursue the kind of books I love. And more specifically about my job, I love working with an author to help them create a wonderful book. SORM: How should a writer submit to you? PATTERSON: Send a query letter or synopsis and sample chapters. *Always* include a SASE if you want a response or your material returned to you. SORM: What do you expect to see in a good query letter and synopsis? PATTERSON: In a query letter, tell me what the story is about. I don't need to know all of the details, but I do need to have a good sense of where the story starting and where it is heading. And what the hook is. In a synopsis, I say keep it to no more than 10 pages. You can tell me more, but again, don't get too caught up on telling me all of the tiny details. I want to know about your story, your characters, the external and internal conflict. . . SORM: What gets your attention? PATTERSON: An author's voice is what gets my attention. SORM: What are your three biggest turn-offs when you're considering a manuscript? PATTERSON: Well, not so much turn-offs but things that don't turn an editor *on*. Don't try to be too cute or fancy with your cover letter or the layout your manuscript. Keep it simple and to the point. Don't ignore the submission guidelines. SORM: What decision process do you go through when rejecting or accepting a manuscript for your publication? PATTERSON: I look for voice, if I fall in love with the story, if the characters come alive for me. . .there is a whole combination of things that I take into consideration. SORM: From your side of the desk, does a rejection slip serve any other purpose? PATTERSON: A rejection letter can be for many different reasons. It could mean that the story does not meet the needs of the house at that time, it could mean that a particular editor did not connect with the style or story. However, it never means that an author should give up. What doesn't work for one editor or house may work for another. SORM: What should a writer expect after receiving THE CALL? PATTERSON: Well, I hope they go out and celebrate. *smile* But the next thing in the process is that they will get a contract. SORM: Describe the editor/writer relationship? PATTERSON: I would say it's a partnership. You and your editor will be working together to help make your book the best it can be. SORM: What insider advice do you have for writers just starting out? PATTERSON: Don't give up and continue to hone your craft. Believe me, it makes a difference. SORM: What are the most common mistakes writers make when seeking to become first-time published authors? PATTERSON: Educate yourself on what kind of books a house publishes before you submit, especially within a genre. It will give you a better sense of whether or not your book would be a good fit and will save you from submitting blindly. SORM: How involved should a published author be in marketing their books? PATTERSON: I say ask your editor what you can do. They can point you in helpful directions. SORM: For first-time authors who may have a limited budget, what are two things they can do that will help promote a new book? PATTERSON: I think that an author should always get suggestions from a professional---their publicist in any event about any promoting they want to do for the book outside of what the publishing company is doing for them, especially if they are on a tight budget. SORM: What's the biggest change you have seen in the publishing industry? PATTERSON: There are less of the smaller publishing houses out there now that all of these mergers have taken place. SORM: How do you see the future of traditional publishing? PATTERSON: I'd have to consult my crystal ball on that one. The winds in publishing are always changing. SORM: Any last thoughts or advice? PATTERSON: Always keep trying. Shades of Romance would like to thank Ms. Patterson for this interview. We wish you much success with your new position. | WRITER'S
WORLD
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