Interview with Lori Graham, Editor of the Disaster Crimes Series

I am thrilled and honored to have my editor, Lori Graham, from The Wild Rose Press here today. She is the one who gave me a chance and brought me into the world of publishing when she saw something in Hurricane Crimes and offered me my first contract.

Welcome, Lori!

1. What’s your editing process?

An author submits a query along with a synopsis and the first five pages of the manuscript through our query email address. This query goes to the senior editor from the appropriate genre line for the initial review, and if appropriate, the query is assigned to an editor.  The initial review will look at whether or not the manuscript would be a good fit for our publishing house, both technically and subject matter.  There is a meeting then between that editor and the senior editor to decide upon a contract.  Once a manuscript is approved, there are several rounds of edits, and each editor has their own style with which they do this.  For me, I do an initial review editing everything that comes up which could involve pacing, point of view control, and plot issues as well as some punctuation, grammar, etc. With the second and subsequent edits, we go deeper into that polishing process.  The final edit looks at formatting, chapter length, etc.

2. Hurricane Crimes was the first story I sent to The Wild Rose Press and the first book we worked on together. What attracted you to Hurricane Crimes and made you believe it’d be a good fit for The Wild Rose Press?

Hurricane Crimes very quickly brought to light the depth of the characters.  Yes, there were some technical issues and even some plot hiccups (not many mind you), but that’s to be the case of most first time manuscripts.  The overcoming factor, though, was truly the characters.  Immediately, Beth and Donovan made me like them and care about what happened to them.  When there is enough richness in the characters, most anything can happen.  😊  The other aspect that was appealing was it being a shorter manuscript.  Our readers like to have some short and yet truly suspenseful manuscripts.  Nicely done!

3. Yup, I remember a small head-hopping scene I had to fix in order to receive that coveted contract. ;)  You’re the senior editor of the Crimson Rose line (romantic-suspense). Romantic-suspense is my favorite genre to write. What do you love about it and is there another genre (or genres) you also enjoy editing?

When editing, an editor finds they quickly become more adapt at particular queries.  While I personally read many genres, editing them is another story.  For example, editing a historical manuscript would be a very bad thing for me to do. 😊  However, suspenseful stories really draw my attention, and the puzzles are what my mind likes to solve.

4. How did you become an editor and start working for The Wild Rose Press?

My background is an education and work experience both in the field of English and Accounting/Business.  I couldn’t decide which was the better way to go.  What I have found is that it truly does work best if I can keep a little bit in both areas of my life because each avenue helps me do the other better.  Working with numbers a little bit each week actually helps me to focus more words.  So I do some accounting work on the side, but my passion remains with books. 

5. You’ve edited all of the Disaster Crimes books to date (Hurricane Crimes, Seismic Crimes, Tsunami Crimes, Flaming Crimes). Do you have a favorite?

To be honest, it really depends upon the day.  😊  They are all so uniquely done and yet so incredibly well connected that I can’t pick just one.

6. Who is your favorite character from the Disaster Crimes Series that you enjoy reading about the most and why?

Again, I don’t know that I can choose a favorite.  I really enjoy Beth because I can see myself in some of her walk of life.  Granted, I haven’t been involved in the depth of disasters that she has, but I can put myself in her responses.  I felt I had a vested interest in her confidence growth.

On the flip side, I really like Donovan.  He truly is a hero who I would like to walk through life with.  He has an internal strength that is physical and yet truly romantic and caring.

7. What disaster that I haven’t written about (yet *wink*) would you like to see me and my characters conquer?

Maybe something having to do with the snow????

8. You will have your wish. lol Being an editor, do you struggle to read for pleasure?

Actually, yes, sadly.  Unless the manuscript is really well done, I find myself finding the mistakes as opposed to getting into the story itself.  That being said, however, when I do find that good manuscript, it truly becomes a gem and takes me totally out of reality.

9. What tip would you like to give to new writers working with an editor for the first time?

Here’s the best tip – research the house to which you are submitting and follow their directions to the letter.  The editors truly do want to help authors because without authors, they don’t have a job.  So please remember the editor does want to help.  Even when they need to reject it, they will give you as much information as they can to help you grow your work. 

10. Is there a published book you wish you could’ve edited (either to make it better or to have had the honor to be a part of it)?

There are so many books I have enjoyed throughout my life.  Every editor thinks about getting a run-away hit and helping a new author reach their highest heights.  But honestly, books are something I treasure, but there isn’t any one that I can think of that stands out more than the others.

Lori Graham is the Senior Editor of the Crimson Rose Line for The Wild Rose Press. She has been there for 13 years.

Thank you for participating in this interview, Lori! 

Please show Lori some love and leave comments for her.