What to Expect When You’re working with Nose to Tail’s Editors

Nose to Tail Editorial isn’t the usual kind of editorial services house. If you’ve read our bios, you’ll know that neither of us has the usual background that most people in commercial publishing have. Theo has worked for a literary agent, and I’ve worked mostly around the fringes of publishing as an editor and designer. But I’ve also taught writing for fifteen years, to people just getting their feet under them. Those experiences give both of us a sensitivity to the difficulty of the process, and a good understanding of how we can help you. We’ll be gentle with your darlings, but we’ll challenge you the way publishing house editors used to with promising writers.

Commercial publishing has changed a lot in the last 30 years and it’s looking for low-investment quick sells to move up the best seller list. Agents are now doing some of the editorial work that, well, actual editors used to do. And if you’re writing fiction, you’re expected to have a throughly edited manuscript when you come calling. This can be very hard on new writers, or writers working on unconventional texts. That’s also why so many have turned to self-publishing. But that means you still need an editor. Because it’s our job to make you look smarter, like a major new talent that mainstream publishing passed over because of its own short-sightedness.

Sending your text to us or any editor is a big trust fall on a writer’s part, even when you’ve been working together for years. When it’s someone new, it can be like sending your baby off into a brutal, scary world alone. Rest assured, we’ll be gentle, but honest. We’ll work with you on your quirks, your tics, the places where the words get in the way of the story, or where if feels like the story wants something different than what you had planned. The “too much” and the “needs more” portions of your manuscript. The recalcitrant characters who won’t do as they’re told. The “extras” who aren’t carrying their load.

And if all you’re looking for is a copy edit or proofread, we’ll be thorough.

-Ann & Theo