It’s time for my #MeetTheEditor session! I’m kicking it off with this photo of an adorable fox, because I love animal companions but can’t have my own. Consider me THIS curious about your novel! #RevPit @reviseresub.bsky.social
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Hello! I'm working on revisions to my cosmic horror novel (not submitting, unfortunately) and one of the biggest struggles I have is finding recent comps. I love Annihilation (both versions) and I'm wondering if you have any recs! (just finished This Thing Between Us and starting The Fisherman soon)
Annihilation really grew on me. I wasn't sure how I felt about it at first and then I decided I liked it. 😆 You could try Sister, Maiden, Monster by Lucy A. Snyder; The Dead Take the Train by Cassandra Khaw; Requiem by John Palisano (out in May); Girl in the Creek by Wendy N. Wagner (out in July).
Hi Allison, thanks for the meet and greet! You mention character arcs and clue reveals, and since my book is part of a series, I wondered how that would come in to play with edits on the first book? If selected, is it common to have a synopsis for the series ready so you can see the whole vision?
I don't require a synopsis for the whole series, because not every writer is a plotter. But if you want me to know what happens later so I can better understand where character arcs and clues are leading, a full series synopsis would certainly be helpful.
Hi Allison, would you be open to an urban fantasy that's pretty fast paced with worldbuilding sprinkled throughout as the stakes get higher? Also, do you enjoy soft and hard magic systems in the vein of Mistborn?
Hi Allison, sorry about the late question!
I see you want sci-fi, but not romance, and also said no to romantasy. Would you consider a sci-fi romance or is that not your interest? Something like Everina Maxwell, but set in our Solar System.
I like romance subplots, but if the entire book revolves around a romance, I'm probably not the best editor for it, simply because I don't read romance so I'm unfamiliar with its tropes and reader expectations.
I like a well-written prologue that adds something to the story! Prologues are so contentious because they often don't grip readers and the story functions better starting at Chapter 1. I will advocate for or against a prologue on an individual basis depending on what I think benefits the novel.
Hii. Would you consider a fantasy novel that's Dungeons and Dragons meets Princess Bride and Six of Crows with wizards and gryphons? I should mention that there is a scene of ass*ult but you won't have to read it if we match. I thought I'd ask since your ms wish overlaps with my novel in other areas
Hi, Allison! Thanks for participating! I'm curious if you lean more commercial or literary in your preferences (fantasy adventure here). And is there anything that's really make-or-break for you when it comes to fantasy?
I lean more commercial than literary. Fantasy has my heart. I read a lot of it and a lot of different subgenres. If it has deep worldbuilding, an interesting magic system, and characters I want to follow through an adventure, I'm in!
You have some horror subgenres listed as not a good fit. Would a different genre containing any of those elements also not be a good fit for you? (Like, gore or body horror appearing in a fantasy manuscript)
Erm, I feel like this is a bit of a sign. Considering submitting to #RevPit (if I can get my manuscript ready in time...) - and my protagonist is a fox shapeshifter! 😄
Hello Allison! I saw you’re not looking for Romantasy, but is a fantasy with the romantic subplot alright? How do you best define the difference? What are elements that are in one and not the other?
I enjoy romance subplots! I consider romantasy as a story with a plot that almost entirely revolves around the romance (think Sarah J. Maas, Jennifer L. Armentrout). Whereas fantasy with a romance subplot has more external conflict (e.g. characters on a quest who also happen to fall in love).
I do lean more to secondary worlds for YA and adult, simply because I love new worlds with unfamiliar rules and fantasy species (like elves and dragons) that aren't as common in real-world settings. But magic in our world is also fun. I just finished The House on the Cerulean Sea and LOVED it.
Hi Allison! Your bio says you're not a fit for litfic. I have a light fantasy (comps cerulean sea) which needs reworking after it died in the trenches; a nice personalized rej said it was "too literary-leaning on a line level" for that agent. Is this something that would also turn you away?
I mean I loved the Cerulean Sea so I wouldn't auto-reject this, but it really depends what you want for your manuscript. I lean more commercial, so my advice will also lean that way. If that is the right direction for you, feel free to send it to me.
Hi Allison! I adore foxes, so love the photo! I was wondering what your cut off for MS length is for YA fantasy? My MS is sitting around 110k words. I'm in the process of trying to edit it down, but was wondering whether this word count would be considered too high for industry standards?
That is a bit high for a debut, but one of my strengths is giving advice on where to trim, so I wouldn't auto-reject. I'd still get it down as much as you can before submitting.
Pumped for #revpit! I see romantasy is not a good fit for you. Are you open to fantasy with a romantic subplot? Slow burn friends to lovers, nearly no spice. Also includes disability rep (ownvoices) and found family.
Yes!! I very much enjoy romance as a subplot—I'm just not the best editor for romance with a capital R, when the story is completely about the romance. Would love to see this.
Just curious: of all the material we submit, what do you turn to first? The query, the sample, the synopsis? What do you feel gives you the best window into quickly assessing a manuscript?
The query first to see if I'm interested in the general premise, then the sample, then the synopsis if I'm going to read further. Honestly, query letter writing is hard, and they don't always represent the author's style, so the sample is the best way for me to assess whether we're a good fit.
My manuscript is a mg contemporary fantasy, written like an adventure game with side quests and fun characters. The "A" story is fairly straightforward but complex, but if I add in even one of the "B" stories the synopsis could double in length! A succinct synopsis, or a detailed one?
Ooh interesting. Personally, I would like to see the full synopsis, and then if we ended up working together, I would help you pare it down to one or two pages, because that's what agents/publishers will want.
A more serious question 😆 You mention on your website that you've worked at a newspaper and a magazine. How different those two experiences were for you? And do they still have an influence on your way of working as an editor now?
I find editing nonfiction quite different from fiction, but there are generic skills, like having an eye for detail and looking at how individual sentences, paragraphs, and sections function as part of a whole, that translate to editing fiction.
Thanks for answering. 😊 Speaking of skills, when you were asked about what we could expect from you during RevPit, you talk about evaluating how other worlds/made-up cultures might function. It sounds awesome and really intrigued me. Could you share some examples based on stories you worked on?
There are a lot of cultural things we don't think twice about (e.g. hand gestures, the distance you stand away from someone when talking with them, what actions are polite, etc.) that writers will automatically bake into their made-up cultures. If they've done it on purpose, that's fine. 1/5 #RevPit
But often times, it's not on purpose, and switching things up make the alien or fantasy culture much more interesting. If you could replace your aliens with humans and the story would function exactly the same, or you dropped your characters in North America and they would fit right in, 2/5
you're missing a lot of the fun about creating other species or fictional worlds. So I often point out where something COULD be different if the author wanted to go in another direction. For example, in a fantasy novel I worked on, every character in a powerful position was a man. 3/5
Hi Allison! That’s a nice fox you sharing with us 🥰
I'm so happy to see another editor fan of Mass Effect!!! 😆 Who are your favorite squadmates? And would you like to find a story sharing the same spirit (greats companions, action & adventures in a futuristic universe, ancient techno, huge threat)?
Glad to hear it! 🤩
And I know the feeling. It’s so difficult to choose between everyone. 😂 And there’s only two spots given to the squadmates for the missions 😆
Riiight?! And you don’t want to miss any interactions, even if it’s not that important. 🤣 It’s crazy how we all have the same worries with these games. It’s BioWare’s faults for creating so much great characters! 😂
Ask me about my MSWL, editing style, likes/dislikes or anything else. I’ll be here all afternoon! If you’re not available until later, drop your questions in the thread this evening and I will answer them tomorrow. #RevPit #MeetTheEditor
I've got a cozy w/three seniors in a retirement villa. No murders (kinda icky for seniors to "go there") but petty crimes lead to two kidnappings. Trio hones their skills watching old Britbox mysteries (they don't get out much). Lotsa dialogue. Possibilities?
A little bit about me: I’m a huge nerd who loves video games, D&D, TV, movies, and anime. I co-host The Worldbuilder’s Tavern podcast. Canada is my home. I have a chronic illness and chronic pain, so I especially love to see disability rep. #RevPit #MeetTheEditor
Aaahhh so hard! It's either The Fellowship of the Ring or Spirited Away for movie. I love so many TV shows so that's tough. I do have a huge soft spot for Stargate and rewatch it every couple years. I just finished The House in the Cerulean Sea and adored it.
I’ve been an editor for 10 years. I worked at a magazine and a small press before going FT freelance in ‘22. For RevPit, I’m accepting fantasy, sci-fi, mystery, and horror for middle grade, YA, and adult. Check out my full MSWL here: https://reviseresub.com/editors/allison-alexander #RevPit #MeetTheEditor
Thank you for donating your time to #RevPit. It's much appreciated.
I have a genre question. It's a heist novel very heavy on found family, cozy, with one partner looking for revenge. Think Stephanie Plum crossed with Leverage.
Mystery? Thriller? Crime? Something else?
Ooh this is an interesting question! I want to say thriller, but the cozy vibe has me wondering if that is the best fit. I would have to read the whole manuscript to know for sure. I do love heists!
Historical is not my favourite and some of the other RevPit editors love it, so you may have more luck with them. But if you think I'm a good fit otherwise, I would not auto-reject or anything! It would just need to really blow me away. I DID love Dread Nation by Justina Ireland.
Hi Allison. I've had my eye on your MSWL for a while now since you're into sci-fi, genre mashups and twisty plots. My MS is an espionage/time travel mashup with plenty of twists and turns. Is this up your alley at all?
Late to the game here and trying to figure out BlueSky -- Would you be interested in an urban fantasy with an intelligence analyst FMC, video game vibes, and a strong romance element? I'm hesitant to call it a straight-up romantasy (which I saw you weren't into!). Also, any spice level preferences?
Hello hello! Would you be a good fit for a MG action/adventure story with lots of humor, thrilling suspense (bone-chilling dungeons, exotic jungle chases, etc.) and a fun dose of magic? Thanks so much!
Comments
I see you want sci-fi, but not romance, and also said no to romantasy. Would you consider a sci-fi romance or is that not your interest? Something like Everina Maxwell, but set in our Solar System.
I was curious if you have a preference or difference in what you like when it comes to second world fantasy settings vs. real world fantasy settings?
The fox is so cute 😍
Foxes are my FAVOURITE.
I'm so happy to see another editor fan of Mass Effect!!! 😆 Who are your favorite squadmates? And would you like to find a story sharing the same spirit (greats companions, action & adventures in a futuristic universe, ancient techno, huge threat)?
And I know the feeling. It’s so difficult to choose between everyone. 😂 And there’s only two spots given to the squadmates for the missions 😆
I have a genre question. It's a heist novel very heavy on found family, cozy, with one partner looking for revenge. Think Stephanie Plum crossed with Leverage.
Mystery? Thriller? Crime? Something else?
Thanks