Helen is shy. But not green.
Welcome Romance Lovers!
Today I am talking with Helen Woodall, a highly respected romance editor who works with Ellora's Cave Publishing. Helen edits for all of Ellora's Cave lines, including Cerridwen Press (mainstream fiction including the Cotillion traditional Regency Romances), The Lotus Circle psychic fiction, and Ellora's Cave Erotic Romance line! Working with so many genres means she has to have a vast amount of knowledge and expertise! Thanks for coming today, Helen. It's great to have you here!
Please tell us a little about yourself.
I am totally addicted to ornamental frogs and to reading. I love the beach and swimming.
I hear you have a huge collection of frogs! And your authors send you lots of fun froggie photos! Can we see some?
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They say that writing is easier than editing. Do you agree, or disagree?
It is neither easier nor harder – just different. Writing is creative imagining.
Editing has to put legs on the creativity – the world needs to be consistent, boring spelling and grammar rules need to be acknowledged, as do historical and geographical facts etc.
How did you get to be an editor?
Went to University, got a degree, got a job.
When one of your authors receives an award, how does that make you feel?
I am so excited for them. There are some really really good books out there that don’t sell as well as they ought to.
When authors win awards that validate what they are doing – people who understand good books have acknowledged that these books are great.
What do you love most about your job?
I get paid to read books. What could be better than that!
What does your work schedule look like?
Schedule what schedule? I plan out when books will be edited so they meet deadlines. Then FLEs arrive (final line edits), or half a dozen authors submit new books all at once, or real life intervenes………
I get up around 7:00 and answer emails, then I have a shower, get dressed and eat breakfast while I surf blogs and news sites. I deal with FLEs and stuff on deadline first, and answer emails as they come in during my day. Because I am in Australia and have authors in the US and the UK, many of them tend to email me in their evening, which is throughout my day which works well for us all. I also have authors in Asia, the Middle East, Australia and New Zealand – which means someone somewhere is always awake and asking questions.
I have paperwork to do, records to keep, and new submissions to read. When all that sort of stuff is done, then I edit. Some days it just doesn’t happen.
I don’t work on Sundays – that is the day I spend with my family (husband, four adult kids and assorted partners) and my friends.
Do you have another “day” job?
Editing is my day job. Finding time for a life in among the books can be a challenge though.
As a real expert on what it takes, what advice do you have for aspiring writers?
Keep writing. Never give up on your dream.
And before you submit, check the submissions guidelines of publishers and submit where your book fits –don’t just send it off without checking as that is almost guaranteed to lead to disappointment.
I hope you don't mind me sharing a few of the books you have helped bring to print!
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Where to buy books that Helen Woodall has edited? Jasmine-Jade, of course!
Coming up next...An interview with romance author Jacqueline Roth/Elyssa Edwards! See you tomorrow!
Comments
Awesome interview ladies!
Hmmm...so you get up at 7am do you? I seem to remember someone who could not contemplate life until at least 8am at the convention...
I have to say that Helen sets the bar pretty high for all editors. she is sharp, has a great eye for what needs to be done with a nabuscript and knows how to get the best from her authors. I am privileged to be able to work with her. Ribit!!!
Helen ROCKS!!!!! and ribits... har!
Great interview. Helen is awesome to work with and the authors are the best. It's cool being one of the frog pond.
Nice interview ladies. Helen is wonderful answering emails promptly. I had no idea her inbox was overflowing. Makes me appreciate all she does for me all the more.
Another interesting interview, Fran. I'm happy to read anything about Helen - she's a wonderful editor.
Loved the interview. Helen has taught me so much. Her patience with my newbie self has been incredible.
Wonderful interview. Her "Froggies" already know about Helen's love of frogs and the beach! She's the perfect editor...dedicated, thorough, and patient! Lovely to work with!
Glad you could all drop by! Thanks for being such loyal Froggies!
Sometimes I wonder how you manage to keep track of us all. But Helen has been a joy to work with and I hope to be one of her frogs for many, many years!
Another wonderful interview, Fran. And I agree with everyone that Helen is a fantastic editor...I don't see how she keeps up with all of us.
Teri
I am a PROUD FROG! Helen is the BEST and I'm so privileged to have her input, advice, and expert editing for my work. RIBBIT!
Oh, one more thing! It's nice to know that if I am agonizing about something when it's MIDNIGHT in Texas, that Helen is wide awake and ready to listen.
Great interview Fran and Helen! Helen is a wonderful editor and this newbie is thankful for her patience!
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