In this interview Andrew Doty<\/strong>, founder of boutique publishing consultancy Editwright<\/a>, discusses the principles which connect the company\u2019s work on everything from newsletters and grant applications to books, blogs and magazines.<\/em><\/p> Professional: Andrew Doty<\/p><\/li> Company: Editwright<\/a> (12+ years)<\/p><\/li> Role: Founder & Chief Editor\/Book Coach\/Project Manager<\/p><\/li> Sector: Publishing<\/p><\/li> Location: United States<\/p><\/li><\/ul> As founder, my role includes many responsibilities: copy and developmental editor, proofreader, consultant and project manager. These projects include books for indie authors and publishing houses, also things like magazines, newsletters and reports.<\/p> When I started, it was just copyediting and proofreading. But within three or four years I realised it would be better for my clients if I offered more. I became a developmental editor, consultant, strategist and researcher. It has expanded into any services an author or someone interested in publishing might need.\u00a0<\/p> I have a BA in English from Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville [with a focus on] literature and creative writing. My editing career began because a professor there started a publishing company, remembered my writing, and offered me a job.<\/p> Apart from running my own business, I\u2019ve installed and repaired home theater equipment, managed an organic coffee roastery, worked for a grocery chain, and even been a building supervisor. I\u2019ve never not worked!<\/p> Most authors will show up with a manuscript \u2013 but that\u2019s about it. Before that thing can become a book it needs many pieces of writing: a forward, a preface, an introduction, front matter, title page, back cover, maybe an appendix or index, a \u2018thank you\u2019 page asking for a 5-star review. No one thinks about these bits of content.\u00a0<\/p> As a product, each part of a book has different functions. <\/p><\/div> With the back cover, the goal is to persuade someone to open the book; then there are summaries for booksellers, where 15-20 words has to convince a person browsing a catalog this is something they should order. There are other aspects of publishing like filling out forms, copyright registration, and so forth. This is where I shine as a consultant.\u00a0<\/p> Editing. They need someone with publishing experience who can say authoritatively, They think it\u2019s like school and they are going to get red ink on an essay. What they learn from me is there is no single \u2018correct\u2019 way to spell, punctuate, etc. There are thousands of dialects, and different kinds of English all over the world. Instead, they have to consider questions of style, mechanics and tone. Many don\u2019t realize they will need a development editor, a copy editor and a proofreader \u2013 and that these should be three different people.\u00a0<\/p> A big one is writing grant and project proposals for funding. These require someone who can anticipate the meanings of questions and craft answers that will make a grant committee say yes<\/em>.\u00a0<\/p> Recently, I was helping with an application for an art fund. It asked questions like, how will this benefit the community?<\/em> That is a good question and you could answer it very plainly: people will read it and benefit from it<\/em> \u2013 and no one would care. Or you could say, this book serves people who want to learn how to do their taxes<\/em>.\u00a0<\/p> But the real question was, does the way this thing serves the community uphold our values? Does it uphold our mission of supporting the arts community? <\/em>Answering a question like that is a fascinating exercise in writing and strategy, which I love. I could do it all day every day.\u00a0<\/p> Grants can have a huge impact for authors. Publishing a book costs up to $10,000, I\u2019m obsessed with spreadsheets and will take any opportunity to make one.\u00a0<\/p> I spend 99% of my time between Microsoft Word and GMail. I also use Google Drive and Google Docs interchangeably with MS Word.<\/p> A specialist one I like is Word Count Tools, which is textual analysis software that will tell you the\u00a0 most common words and two- and three-word phrases. This is useful working with authors, especially first-timers, as it reveals if they are using a word or phrase over and over. I\u2019ve also started using Copyscape<\/a> to prevent issues with plagiarism; there are a lot of ways problems can creep into texts unintentionally.\u00a0<\/p> Personally, I use it for almost nothing. Occasionally, to mock up cover versions.<\/p> \u00a0I would never copy and paste my clients\u2019 books into AI to be harvested.\u00a0<\/p> Language Myths<\/a><\/em> edited by Laurie Bauer and Peter Trudgill. The way high school and college teachers tend to tell students, this is the correct way<\/em>, does a huge disservice. There are lots of right ways to write and read; what\u2019s important is that the person you\u2019re communicating with understands what you\u2019re communicating. That\u2019s what everything boils down to: trying to communicate clearly.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p> Drift<\/a><\/em> <\/a>by Caroline Bergvall. [It is] an incredible book that connects to me with its focus on the human struggle \u2013 there are passages on migrant boats in the Mediterranean that express that struggle through the struggle to form language. It\u2019s a very experimental book that she\u2019s [also] performed as a work of visual art.<\/p>![\"Profile](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com\/public\/images\/d9ac4c35-319d-4dca-b1c1-ee7f6e0ba318_450x450.jpeg?w=1080&ssl=1\")
<\/figure>What does your role entail?<\/h3>
How has your business evolved?<\/h3>
What is your educational background?<\/h3>
What is your professional background?<\/h3>
![\"Book2.jpg\"\/](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com\/public\/images\/78a0b111-d1c5-4d7f-af9c-c5b171f2ed82_2130x1787.jpeg?w=1080&ssl=1\")
<\/figure>Books have become a marketing tool for experts in all fields \u2013 what should aspiring thought leaders consider?\u00a0<\/h3>
What writing support do clients need most?<\/h3>
What other services does Editwright offer?\u00a0<\/h2>
Editwright also creates crowdfunding campaigns, blogs, magazines, etc. How do you manage diverse projects?<\/h3>
![\"MO](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com\/public\/images\/4339a305-39f3-4f74-aafd-b6e234e0871d_495x801.png?w=347&ssl=1\")
<\/figure>What communication tools do you rely on?<\/h3>
What role does AI have in your job?<\/h3>
What are your thoughts on it as a writing\/editing tool?<\/h3>
![\"Home](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com\/public\/images\/6ac4f6f6-495e-418b-9d53-f86997b6af86_1000x682.png?w=1080&ssl=1\")
<\/figure>Just for fun questions<\/h2>
A professional development book you recommend?\u00a0<\/h3>
A personal favourite book?<\/h3>
A publication for (your) industry news?<\/h3>
![\"Editwright](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com\/public\/images\/63ea4ad3-6229-45d0-9b11-ea26ca715166_200x200.jpeg?w=1080&ssl=1\")
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