Deanna Hoak

Author Peter V. Brett just sent me the following question he asked China Miéville during China’s live chat at Suvudu.com a few minutes ago. Since I’m directly mentioned, I thought I would post it. :-)

Live chat with China Mieville

2:31
[Comment From Peter V. Brett]
China, is it true that you will only work with one copyeditor, and do you feel that copyeditors have a strong influence on a book? Should there be direct communication between author and copyeditor, or should all of that go through the editor?

2:31
Chris the Editor: Appropriate, given China’s mis-spelling…

2:34
China: Peter V. Brett: I can’t speak for other authors, only for myself. I’ve had a long working relationship with Deanna Hoak, an outstanding copyeditor, and find it enormously helpful – indeed, invaluable, indespensable – being able to communicate with her directly. My feeling is the more intervening steps in that process, the more chance of miscommunication or error. I know some authors have a conflictual relationship with copy-editors, and I’ve seen one or two have even posted rather pissy ‘open-letters to copy-editors’ on their websites. By contrast, I think copyeditors are too often totally unsung heroes to whom we should be fawningly grateful.

Grateful of any kind is always nice, and it’s wonderful to be recognized as the professionals we are. Thanks, China!