The Fiction Editor, the Novel, and the Novelist: A Book for Writers, Teachers, Publishers, and Anyone Else Devoted to Fiction (Paperback)

by Thomas McCormack (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
The chairman and editorial director of St. Martin's discusses the art of editing fiction.

Copyright 1994 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal
This breezy little book illuminates the normally private relationship between author and editor. In prose that is opinionated, brash, and forceful, McCormack lays bare the principles he has applied for 30 years as a fiction editor. While admitting the need for sensibility, he denounces seat-of-the-pants editing, substituting instead a systematic method of analyzing stories and repairing their faults before publication. In a conversational and light-hearted tone, he offers insights that will interest not just writers and editors of fiction but also anyone who wants to understand what makes a novel succeed or fail. Perfect for teachers, critics, and general readers as well.
- Michael Edmonds, State Historical Soc. of Wisconsin, Madison
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 167 pages
• Publisher: Paul Dry Books; 2 Revised edition (October 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1589880307
• ISBN-13: 978-1589880306
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 4.9 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #353,627 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Essential critiquing tool., March 23, 2000

By	Miranda F. (Hartland, WI) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Fiction Editor, the Novel and the Novelist: A Book for Writers, Teachers, Publishers, Editors and Anyone Else Devoted to Fictoin (Paperback)

For every published book, there are many editing steps from rough draft to finished product. If math alone were the determining factor, that should mean there would be many more books on editing than on writing. In fact, there are dozens (perhaps hundreds) of books on writing and only a handful on editing. To be sure, there are stylebooks that concentrate on grammatical and punctuational form. And most respectable writers give shelf space to Strunk & White and Zinnser and a few others. But while their efforts address precision of thought and clarity of form, McCormack takes the plunge and talks about artistic sensibility and the effective use of craft in a way that enlarges and energizes like no other book I've run across.

His main premise is that artistic sensibilty is something innate. We like or dislike something because it strikes a chord within or fails to. This resonant characteristic of art doesn't need to be taught. It is simply there. The purpose of craft is NOT to teach the writer how to hit that mark but to help him diagnose the ailment when he doesn't. A writer begins with a vision that drives him. The study of craft, at the outset, may hinder more than it helps. When the attempt falls short, there is plenty of time to apply technique and identify the lack or the excess that caused the work to be less than hoped for.

McCormack says there are two basic failures--bad things which have crept in and good things which have not. He demystifies the whole spooky process and makes it seem much more manageable and achievable.

He also encourages writers to find, cultivate, and appreciate good critiquers whether they be someone in the industry or astute and articulate readers. He encourages critiquers to focus on reader reaction (I had no sympathy for George at this point) rather than specific item that triggered it (George shouldn't have screamed at Alice). This allows the writer to address the effect of his choices rather than become bogged down and defensive of the choices themselves.

This is the best book I have read on the subject although I have to admit, it's not a light read. McCormack has a tendency to invent and run with jargon, a minor distraction but an occasional irritant nonetheless. Still, his obvious respect for writers overall and his passion for the subject matter give this book great value. I return to it every six months or so just to soak it all in again.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Call-to-Arms for Editing, April 26, 2002

By	Jeffrey Leeper "kem2070" (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This review is from: The Fiction Editor, the Novel and the Novelist: A Book for Writers, Teachers, Publishers, Editors and Anyone Else Devoted to Fictoin (Paperback)

To be honest, the tone of the book didn't grab me. I had trouble reading this book in one sitting. This is not a bad book. It is just that there many books by editors who lambast their colleagues in front of writers in an effort to sign the writers. At first thought, McCormack seemed to be attacking other editors just to look better.

After completing the book, I see that is not the stance the author is taking. He acknowledges that editing is still an art, but avers that a more standard practice and terminology is needed to better the quality of writing today.

To this end, he suggests a vocabulary to help editors describe what works or does not work in a novel. One such word is the prelibation, which is the effect the writer is trying to get from the reader. After reading his suggestions, I am inclined to agree. McCormack also points out the contradiction in many fiction textbooks today. No wonder we have a disparity in editing ability.

I would recommend this book to writers and editors. This book will help you think about the novel in ways that can only help it become stronger.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiration for Editors and an Eye-opener for Authors and Publishers, January 30, 2006

By	Marion Gropen "publishing consultant" (Gropen Associates, NY, NY United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: The Fiction Editor (Hardcover)

I have been around publishing houses, publishers and editors for many years. This is not only the best book I have ever read on the art and the craft of editing, but it is also the best of which I have ever heard. No editor I have known, and there have been many good ones, has described the goals and techniques so clearly.

I am inspired by this book, and you will be, too. You will also be left understanding exactly what should be happening between editors and their authors.