editor

Editing. Words, sentences, paragraphs. Punctuation, spelling, grammar, syntax. More words.

The editing is finished. 47 stories. 38 authors.

It was a weekend of words and a certain newfound wisdom in those words. On the couch, music and the lava lamp, blanket draped on my shoulders, computer in my lap, focused on the prose arranged across the screen. Sure, I'm awaiting a few author approval responses, but the editing for Falling From the Sky is essentially complete. The contracts are in and there are no more stories on cue. There is a huge sense of accomplishment, and even a degree of relief, but I also feel a bit... doleful. Over the course of the past several months, a great deal of time and effort has gone into this omnibus, by both author and editor alike. From different corners of the globe, the hearts and thoughts and ideas of dozens of people have built something wonderfully original and creative.

I find that it's difficult to let go. But I have to send it out into the world to find its wings.

Enough of the lachrymose. I'm much better at editing others than editing myself.

After a solid four-hour block of edits and Another Sky Press related work on Friday, R. called me and asked if I was coming out. I was reluctant at first. After all, I was on a roll, absorbed in stories and author bios and marketing ideas. But R. insisted - he informed me that I needed to be out. He was right - it had been a long week of daytime work, night time editing, and obdurate illness. But my cold had receded, and I needed a few cocktails beyond the confines of my apartment. Thus convinced, out I went. It turned out to be a restorative evening. Some friends I'd not seen in a while showed. Drinks went down, much conversation ensued, and the mood was upbeat.

Saturday morning, the sun through the blinds awakened me, cottonmouth and heavy head. But after food and self-medication, I quickly recovered. It was back to work. I rolled through the afternoon, one story after the other, but a break was necessary. My eyes felt as if they were about to drop from their sockets. Daylight Savings brought Saturday night to an earlier close than I expected, but at least there was no hangover today. And late this afternoon came the last story. The last one. It didn't quite seem believable. With all those hours of focus logged behind me, what would the hours ahead bring?

Regardless of any evasive ontological questions I couldn't quite answer at the time, I knew one thing for certain...

Your occasionally humble editor™ now has his first book to his credit.

Sure, in the past I'd rewritten papers and essays for my college classmates. I'd taken a mostly useless creative writing course where we evaluated each others' work. I'd proofread several screenplays and the intermittent short story or manuscript, usually as a favor, over time. I'd proofed and corrected a (successful) college admission essay. I edited the online newsletter for the law office where I work.

But this was a book. A real book I'll soon hold in my hands. And it's well over 300 pages long.

I believe I shall toast myself with a glass or two of red wine this evening.

My heartfelt thanks go out to all of our writers for their first-rate work. Overall, the editing was a delight. Not only that, but it was also a learning process for me, from inception to completion.

Back in the spring of 2006, Kristopher and I bonded over the Press, and the ideas behind the Press. I'd known Krist for a fairly long time, since when he'd lived in New York, and our beliefs ran a similar path. I suggested a short story anthology. In my opinion, this would be a perfect method with which to introduce the Press to a mass audience. Whereas a single book might have a theme that appeals to a more concentrated, narrow readership, a story collection would showcase an array of writers, each with their own unique talents, ideas, and voice. I joined up, and it was a go. In a burst of inspiration, the title came to me - "Falling From the Sky." I envisioned the stories as a random assemblage of creativity, pieces of prose from beyond the limited scope of the mainstream, tumbling into the Press and onto the printed page. And the title incorporated a part of the Press name. Cool, huh? I have my moments.

The stories filtered in, and the majority were of terrific quality - proficient and imaginative. We were on our way. I sorted through every submission in the approval/rejection process. The approved authors were informed of their acceptance into the book, and an edit of their story would be forthcoming. I consulted with the lawyer at the office where I work and got Krist a boilerplate literary contract which he tailored to the needs of the Press and anthology. Contracts were sent and returned, my edits were approved by the authors, and final text versions of the stories were submitted for layout. Soon we had a thick volume looming.

Encapsulating the editorial process in a couple of paragraphs might make it seem easier than it actually is. No, it takes an appreciable amount of time. From submission to editing, it requires a keen eye, attention to detail, patience, and time. It is a system of evolution. Plus, as I discovered, any worthwhile editor will treat each story almost like one of their own.

I've now developed my own method, which I will streamline to create a nearly seamless process when I undertake editorial chores for the upcoming Sci-Fi/Cyberpunk anthology (tentatively titled "Digital Sky.") We already have submissions for that volume, with a release scheduled for sometime in the autumn.

No, your occasionally humble editor™ did not contribute a story of his own to "Falling From the Sky." Writing is my first passion, my true talent (though I might add editing now), but it is not usually the editor's place to use the book being edited as a personal platform. I was fine with that, and I will be adding the two or three page introduction. Good enough, and I will submit my stories to future volumes I am not editing.

So. Next comes copyediting for layout, and the volume goes off to the printer, but that is on the production end. With the long timeline for the Sci-Fi/Cyberpunk anthology submissions, approval, and editing, I now have time to devote to some of my own writing. I have a couple of story or book ideas, some manuscripts I've started, and I'll also concentrate on an overhaul of my first novel, "Ache." Plus, there is always something to evaluate for Another Sky...

I should perform some social interaction exercises. Time to press the flesh. This Friday I will be attending a National Small Press Month Reading Marathon at Mo Pitkin’s House of Satisfaction at 34 Avenue A, here in New York. I'll be armed with Another Sky bookmarks and promotional materials, as well as my dazzling smile and magnetic personality. Ahem.

The editing is done. I crouch down by the open window next to couch, hold my hands at my chin in what might be called a pensive gesture. Contemplation, thoughts, a hint of the melancholy, looking out across the night. I usher out negative energy. There's been too much of it built up for too long. My focus is on the positive now. Strength. Integrity.

And words. Always unedited words through my head.