Writing insights from the Editwright Publishing Consultancy founder
Welcome to Write Like a Pro — where experts from diverse fields and industries discuss how writing supports their professional success.
In this interview Andrew Doty, founder of boutique publishing consultancy Editwright, discusses the principles which connect the company’s work on everything from newsletters and grant applications to books, blogs and magazines.
Professional: Andrew Doty
Company: Editwright (12+ years)
Role: Founder & Chief Editor/Book Coach/Project Manager
Sector: Publishing
Location: United States
What does your role entail?
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.
How has your business evolved?
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.
What is your educational background?
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.
What is your professional background?
Apart from running my own business, I’ve installed and repaired home theater equipment, managed an organic coffee roastery, worked for a grocery chain, and even been a building supervisor. I’ve never not worked!
Books have become a marketing tool for experts in all fields – what should aspiring thought leaders consider?
Most authors will show up with a manuscript – but that’s 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 ‘thank you’ page asking for a 5-star review. No one thinks about these bits of content.
As a product, each part of a book has different functions.
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.
What writing support do clients need most?
Editing. They need someone with publishing experience who can say authoritatively,
here’s what we should fix.
They think it’s like school and they are going to get red ink on an essay. What they learn from me is there is no single ‘correct’ 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’t realize they will need a development editor, a copy editor and a proofreader – and that these should be three different people.
What other services does Editwright offer?
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.
Recently, I was helping with an application for an art fund. It asked questions like, how will this benefit the community? That is a good question and you could answer it very plainly: people will read it and benefit from it – and no one would care. Or you could say, this book serves people who want to learn how to do their taxes.
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? Answering a question like that is a fascinating exercise in writing and strategy, which I love. I could do it all day every day.
Grants can have a huge impact for authors. Publishing a book costs up to $10,000,
so crafting a successful grant application is a win-win.
Editwright also creates crowdfunding campaigns, blogs, magazines, etc. How do you manage diverse projects?
I’m obsessed with spreadsheets and will take any opportunity to make one.
What communication tools do you rely on?
I spend 99% of my time between Microsoft Word and GMail. I also use Google Drive and Google Docs interchangeably with MS Word.
A specialist one I like is Word Count Tools, which is textual analysis software that will tell you the 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’ve also started using Copyscape to prevent issues with plagiarism; there are a lot of ways problems can creep into texts unintentionally.
What role does AI have in your job?
Personally, I use it for almost nothing. Occasionally, to mock up cover versions.
What are your thoughts on it as a writing/editing tool?
I would never copy and paste my clients’ books into AI to be harvested.
Just for fun questions
A professional development book you recommend?
Language Myths edited by Laurie Bauer and Peter Trudgill. The way high school and college teachers tend to tell students, this is the correct way, does a huge disservice. There are lots of right ways to write and read; what’s important is that the person you’re communicating with understands what you’re communicating. That’s what everything boils down to: trying to communicate clearly.
A personal favourite book?
Drift by Caroline Bergvall. [It is] an incredible book that connects to me with its focus on the human struggle – there are passages on migrant boats in the Mediterranean that express that struggle through the struggle to form language. It’s a very experimental book that she’s [also] performed as a work of visual art.
A publication for (your) industry news?
Jane Friedman is one of the world’s foremost experts on self-publishing. Whenever I’m Googling to solve a problem in my practice, 50% of the time it leads to her work. She’s a genius. Anyone thinking about book publishing should follow her.
An inspiring blog/podcast/YouTube channel?
Bestseller: A Self-Publishing Podcast
An area you’d like to learn more about?
I wish that I knew more about art and knew how to draw.
