What does an Editor Do?

Charlotte Ledger

We’re very happy to welcome Charlotte, an editor at Harper Impulse.

We ask, what does an editor do?

Wow what a start to our new feature… And such a good question – I know lots of people think editors just sit and read all day! 🙂

Obviously, reading is a big part of our job, whether that’s reading new submissions with the view to buying new books or reading existing authors manuscripts in order to give them feedback on how the story is shaping up. To me, an author can be so immersed in their world and know it so well that an editor is there to provide a fresh pair of eyes and a different perspective. We’re also here to support the author and their career, and to use our knowledge of the market and our experience to give their books the care and attention it deserves – from helping to come up with the best possible cover design and writing back cover copy to brainstorming ideas and generally running around and shouting about how much we love it!

But also in my role as a content developer I do lots of other things too- from helping with marketing and social media (translation: I’m addicted to twitter), playing with the all important metadata to producing the eBooks myself. It’s a very varied and exciting role!

Charlotte Ledger began working in publishing in 2011 and has always been a book lover but, since watching her first episode of Dawson’s Creek when she was 13, she’s found it impossible to resist a good love story! Pacey Witter stole her heart and her life it seems as her addiction for all things romance eventually led to her working at Mills & Boon. Thrilled to be at Harper Impulse, she can’t wait to fall in love with your submissions and find the next exciting new voices in Romance. So what are you waiting for? The inbox is open! Charlotte is addicted to Cinnabons and quoting episodes of New Girl. She appeared on an episode of Flog It dressed up as Jane Austen and she once met Jack Nicholson when she 11 and still goes on about it but then again, wouldn’t you?
You can follow Charlotte on twitter @girl_on_a_ledge.

Each week, she will be answering your editor/editing related questions. If you’d like to ask Charlotte a question for future weeks, either e-mail laura@novelkicks.co.uk putting ‘A moment with the Editor’ in the subject box or you can put your question in the comments below.

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Laura

I’m Laura. I started Novel Kicks in 2009. I wanted a place to post my writing as well as give other writers like me the opportunity to do the same. There is also a monthly book club, a writing room which features writing prompts, book reviews, competitions, author interviews and guest posts.

I grew up by the sea (my favourite place in the world) and I currently live in Hampshire. I am married to Chris, have a cat named Buddy and I would love to be a writer. I’m trying to write the novel I’ve talked so much about writing if only I could stop pressing delete. I’ve loved writing since creative writing classes in primary school. I have always wanted to see my teacher Miss Sayers again and thank her for the encouragement. When not trying to write the novel or writing snippets of stories on anything I can get my hands on, I love reading, dancing like a loon and singing to myself very badly. My current obsession is Once Upon a Time and I would be happy to live with magic in the enchanted forest surrounded by all those wonderful stories provided that world also included Harry Potter. I love reading chick lit. contemporary fiction and novels with mystery.