by Dana Grimaldi @DanaGrimaldi, Assistant Editor/Editorial Assistant, Harlequin Heartwarming
When Vicki Essex sat down to write her first book, Her Son's Hero, she was alone. Sure, Smartikus the cat was providing moral support, but Vicki was writing the way everyone writes, by herself, with her imagination and determination the driving force behind getting her story down on the page.
But once Vicki signed with Harlequin, she wasn't the only person striving to make that book a success. She had a whole team of experts on her side.
The first step was signing the contract, which was drawn up by the legal team. Then, Vicki's editor guided her through the revision process and line edited the book. The copy editor and proofreader checked the grammar, spelling and punctuation. Typesetting made sure the story would be easy to read on the page—no loose lines or tight margins! The prelim operator set the author bio, dedication, and the rest of the front matter—all the pages that come before the story. Then, the digital assets team created the ebook file and sent out the metadata (title, author name, miniseries, etc) to digital retailers.
The art director created an amazing, eye-catching cover and the production artist placed the cover info, like the title and cover copy, over the image. The Harlequin.com team made sure the book was available for sale on our website and our marketing group spread the word.
Here's a photo of all the people who helped make Vicki’s newest book, In Her Corner, a success.
Back Row: Peter Cronsberry, Prelim Operator; Dan Cuison, Art Director; Jacqueline Chipman, Typesetting Specialist; Jenny Bullough, Manager, Digital Assets; Kevin Bailey, Production Artist; Amy Loosemore, Manager, Online Engagement; Ruth Machanda, Legal Administrator; Jennifer Watters, Product Manager, Retail Marketing
Front Row: Greg Dalgetty, Prelim Operator; Karen Reid, Associate Editor; Vicki Essex, Author (and also a Harlequin Proofreader); Kathryn Chris, Proofreader; Lindsey Magee, Digital Production Coordinator
Missing in action: Copy editor
Based on the comments, tweets and posts I saw during the So You Think You Can Write contest, this year's winner will have an enthusiastic bunch of writers and readers cheering her on. But she'll also have an in-house team, a group of experts who care about turning her manuscript into a bestselling book.
3 replies on “In Your Corner: Meet the Team of Experts Who Want Your Book to Succeed”
Dana,
Nice spotlight on the workings behind-the-scenes for Vicki’s first book!
Your piece shows that you have a lot on the ball as an Assistant Editor/Editorial Assistant for Harlequin Heartwarming.
Seems the Harlequin team here can be sumed up by that axiom: “It takes a village to raise a child.”
Carpi diem! And that’s just what the team did to bring Vicki’s book to life.
Thanks for putting it all down in quick fashion for us writers to see.
Chris (Desire Submission, “Her Boss’s Surprise”)
http://www.writeforharlequin.com/manuscripts-sytycw-2014/her-bosss-surprise/
@Chris
Thanks so much for your kind words.
Sounds exciting to have that many people all working on the same goal!
Comments ( 7 )
I spent the entire shutdown working. Had no time to wind down. I didn’t see my son much when school shutdown. My one co worker was told to stay home for 3 weeks so I picked up her hours. This year has been really crappy.
Ugh, Janell. Here’s hoping the rest of your summer is better.
Thanks for the info, Carol! Everyone is different in how they deal with the shutdown! I stay at home all the time since I don’t work so I haven’t been too effected but my shopping and errands sure have been effected!
Valri, I’ve been doing most of my shopping online. My local Target is still low on some items – mostly cleaning supplies. Grocery store is pretty much back to normal. Most of the dining in our town is outdoor. I can’t imagine have school-age kids!
Wow–getting your creative process on track must have been daunting–especially with “extra-large dog” glad to have you home. You don’t like coffee–I love coffee and have enjoyed my fortifying 2 cups in the morning even more than usual! How as COVID affected your story lines and characterizations? Best Wishes for all releases!
Interesting question, Virginia. You’ll have to tell me if the tone of my “COVID” books changed any! LOL
Life has changed so much! My dad passed Feb 2. The assisted living facility my folks were at went into hardcore lockdown the beginning of March. Mom couldn’t leave her apartment for 4 months! She was on the third floor, Will be 89 in two months & doesn’t use the phone. My husband and I remodeled the lower level completely and moved her in with us July 1. What a life change and difficult transition for the 3 of us! But we’re working thru it!