I'm unsure what the politics/nature of the relationship between author/editor is.

To be completely smarmy, think of your editor as your OB. S/he's going to help you deliver the best book possible. S/he should be an advocate and a cheerleader for your project, because s/he's going to be the one discussing it in-house -- working with the art and copy departments on the cover, giving info to sales and marketing to promote and sell it. Remember, this person bought the project because s/he loves it, and thinks it's an asset to the publisher's list.

Working with your editor shouldn't be adversarial -- any suggestion s/he has s/he's making because s/he believes it will improve the book. You can absolutely argue if s/he suggests something that you really disagree with, but you have to wait and see what happens.

First, you'll probably *meet* over the phone, unless you have already, and then have email/phone contact. You'll need to deliver the rest of the book, then the editor will read through the entire manuscript and give you a revision letter (or email), pointing out places that need clarification or polishing, and you'll work with him or her on that. It should be a friendly, teamlike relationship, ideally.

Amy - as always - nails it. Nothing to add to that except, as that particular relationship gets more comfortable and familiar and you get to know each other's particular quirks, the conversations about what you really want and what s/he really wants get easier and more informal.

Thanks so much, Amy. It's all so terrifying and wonderful.

Allyson, the terrifying part will get less so, I promise.

Also? Unless the publisher has already told you otherwise, not every publisher uses author photos. So maybe you won't have to worry about that. (Although they are good to have for promotional purposes -- newspapers and stuff always want them, and I still don't have one.)

Okey dokey. I got my little deal memo, which is interesting to read, and some direction for writing so I won't waste the long weekend.

Right on, Allyson. Perfect timing.

Could I ask for a mild vibeage this morning? Book thing, phone call coming up, could be major one way or another, vibe for good things?

Teppy, bebe, it's Tuesday, madame.

Teppy, bebe, it's Tuesday, madame.

Yes'm. Sorry -- yesterday was a wee bit stressful.

Sorry -- yesterday was a wee bit stressful.

Nodding grimly in the corner, over here. Stressful. Oh, yes. Trust me, I get it.

And I just remembered that you don't read Bitches, and that was the only place I posted the stress du jour -- Dad is in the hospital yet again, but not for cardiac reasons this time. He's had abdominal pain for 5-6 weeks, and a full battery of tests/scans/etc. haven't yielded a cause. It's maddening.

But I was freaked out yesterday, since I know how to deal with his cardiac issues, but the abdominal pain is an unknown.

Anyway. I'll have a topic shortly.