Ask That Cranky Editorial Guy – Q&As with Jeevan Sivasubramaniam

You no doubt wonder why and how editors and publishing houses make the decisions they make and do what they do. It possibly even makes you a touch cranky about them. Well, it’s time for cranky to meet cranky and get a better understanding of all things.

To give vent to the crankiness on all sides, we are thrilled to host a series of “Things Authors Should Know” sessions with the cranky editorial guy Jeevan Sivasubramaniam! Currently the VP of Editorial at Berrett-Koehler, Jeevan has been in publishing for thirty years in acquisitions and administration and has worked with over 700 authors and books.

We’ll get 30 minutes with Jeevan every other month. Here are our next 2 sessions:

• Tuesday, May 13, 10:00-10:45 am PT
• Tuesday, July 8, 10:00-10:45 am PT

For each session, Jeevan will talk about a relevant topic for about fifteen minutes and then take all questions and abuse/hurling of rotting vegetables from you.

Register to receive reminders for each session the day of.
You can attend as many or as few as your schedule permits.

Past Recordings

March 18: Are Editors Even Important or Needed Any More?

It’s a good question: Are they? Many authors have indicated how even with traditional houses, they receive minimal editorial guidance or work. And I hate to admit it, but I have looked at many traditionally published books over the last couple of years and wondered—did an editor even look at this? Is this also turning the tide towards self-publishing since editorial shaping was one of the hallmark advantages of traditional publishing houses?

I’ll venture some guesses, vent (as expected) about the industry and authors and others all contributing to this, and then briefly address what authors should expect from their editors but also what editors expect from authors. And then I’ll take the abuse and questions.

Future topics will include:

• Should you hire a literary agent? The pluses and minuses and how to find the right one (and what to look out for).
• The importance of writing about the one thing, not everything.
• Book piracy – how bad is it and what are the real costs to authors (and publishers)?
• Is self or hybrid publishing the right option for you? (Sometimes, it well may be.)
• When do you let go? How consistently polishing and over-polishing your manuscript actually works against you.
• A book does not create a movement; a movement creates a book – so how should you build that movement?
• When do you need permissions to reproduce something versus what is covered under fair use?