Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Music and Editing

So this past week has been really fun for me, I have been fortunate enough to read some seriously good books and for the most part am caught up with just about everything (work, e-mail, home, errands, etc).
So I decided to spend some time this afternoon doing some editing that isn't due for another two or three week, but hey I had the time so why not. One of my absolute favorite things to do when editing is put on a good soundtrack. It always puts me in the right frame of mind, helps me focus and removes all stress. Lately I have been positively addicted to Nick Cave and Warren Ellis. If you haven't heard of them before, well you should without a doubt google them and listen to some of their music. The work they do for soundtracks is just so amazingly beautiful. They do amazing things with instrumentals, they make them so haunting or hopeful, there is even one song reminds me of a sunrise. To be able to paint a picture with sounds and no words, is just such a feat.
Anyway, I wanted to drop in and say hello to everyone while I get some editing work done. Hope everyone is having an amazing week.

PS If you are in the market for a new laptop, I have had my new MacBook Pro for a couple weeks now (I think three) and I am completely in love with. While my MacBook was alive and kicking for many years, and died through no fault of the computer (damn water damage) the MacBook Pro just has a smoother run, and in general is a nicer machine. I also really like the metal casing versus plastic. Plus the new Pros have the Retina display which is so crisp and easy to look at. I would recommend it to anyone who is in the market for a new laptop.

Thursday, February 6, 2014

New Opportunities

I can remember getting my first job in publishing. It was towards the end of the semester, school was almost over for me, and I kept thinking about how I was going to use my education and how much I was going to miss reading books all the time and learning new things. I really thought that I would go into teaching, spend another two years on a masters degree in education and that would be that. I had made some friends in publishing through some chance meetings, so when I got the e-mail out of the blue to apply for a job as an editor, I was both shocked and excited. I have never even entertained the idea of becoming an editor. 

When I made past the first round of hires, and then went on to the editing test, followed by interviews, and in depth conversations about what I liked to read and what was I wanting from a job in publishing, I have to admit I was getting very excited. The first book I edited was terrifying for me, but also so exciting. I wanted to do everything right. I still remember my first e-mail exchange with my author, and how sweet she was, and how ready to do the work she was. I had so much fun working with her, and the dialogue between the two of us, both working on this really amazing book, was really just such a good experience. 

Over the years I have gotten to work with so many amazing people, so many fantastic authors, publishers, and editors-in-chief that I truly can call my friends. The people who make up the publishing world are really some of the greatest, nicest people you could ever hope to work with. 

Recently, within the past couple of days, new ideas and opportunities have been coming my way. A very dear friend and I were talking about what our "dream" projects would be a while back, we were throwing around all kinds of ideas. One of the ideas that we were discussing, has since been pitched and been given the green light (best Tuesday ever). So now begins the long and so exciting process of making our dream come to life. I don't anticipate this happening quickly, there is a lot of work to be done, but to say I am up for the challenge would be the world's biggest understatement. I am so thrilled to be working on a project so near and dear to my heart, and when it gets closer to completion I will of course be so excited and happy to share the details. 

In the meantime, I will be at RWA's annual conference this year (July) and I look forward to seeing all the new authors who will be there, and running into some old friends. I have always loved everything the RWA does for their authors and being a part of that organization has truly been a great experience in my life. Note to self: design new business cards before July, mine are going on three years old!