Today we’d like to introduce you to Connie Anderson.
Hi Connie, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I have always enjoyed learning about other people’s lives, so editing books–especially memoirs–was a perfect match for me. It’s all about one author client referring me to another author whose book is done. I had been writing for businesses, doing a lot of print-out newsletters common years ago so editing is my second career.
My dad taught in a country one-room schoolhouse. He spoke and wrote beautifully, and I’m sure his students learned a lot from him. When I left home after high school graduation it was a time that kids actually wrote letters home–not phoned home. One time when I visited my parents, Dad had kept my most recent letter and I noted words circled in red. After a time of being annoyed, I realized that my dad was telling me: No matter who you write to, or what you write, do it right!
I was a legal secretary for about a year, but that wasn’t me, so my next job where I stayed over 10 years was me–a small advertising agency. My boss was a good writer and I learned much from him. He loved to start writing words for a client’s project when they were already in the parking lot, working best under pressure. He could make words “sing,” and of course, “sell” whatever the clients made. His clients were well-known and major companies in the Twin Cities in Minnesota. After a wonderful experience working there, with his blessing, I decided to start my own home-based writing business.
Over the years I learned to write about all kinds of things, which was great. Then book editing entered my life when a friend asked if I’d edit his book. That was the start of editing hundreds of books, some authors have written several books.
Thirty years ago in 1994, a few of my women writer friends and I were out to lunch when we decided to start a group for women writers: WOW (Women of Words). Over the years we grew to having monthly meetings at five locations in the metro area. Our unwritten rule was this about sharing: If you did something that worked good, tell us so we can do it; if you did something that didn’t work, tell us so we don’t do the same thing. Every monthly meeting we share those kind of things with each other–sometimes to laughter, other times to “oh, no!” comments.
I have led one of those monthly groups now for 30 years with other members leading other groups in their community. I recommend to any first-time author to join a writers group as there are so many ways other people/businesses can take advantage of authors who are uninformed–and sometimes are gullible and most eager to get their book published–and can be taken advantage of. Learn to protect yourself is another WOW motto.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Because I am home-based, I didn’t have overhead so had less financial concerns. The road was smooth–and a lot of fun to go down. I enjoyed all the new people who I got to know through their books, many who remain friends years afterwards.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
My goal in editing a book is to make it the most readable and interesting possible. I believe it is important to immediately grab your reader — grab them before you lose them. I work to protect the author from breaking legal rules, saying things that on paper years later could cause them embarrassment, and realize the when you are writing the book, it is about you. But when it is done, the book is about the reader.
I always recommend that before the author starts writing, she reach out to clients or whoever and say, “I am writing a book about ____. What is one thing you want me to be sure to include?” This ensures the author is meeting the reader’s need, which is paramount.
I edit most genres, but it the content is not my area I tell the author upfront. My favorite are memoirs where I get to learn about this new person, and help them tell their story fully. I might say, “I think you should expand on this topic,”
When a current or former author client recommends me, I am most excited and pleased that they feel comfortable to refer me, and that they enjoyed our working relationship.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
Tell people writing a book that you know of an editor who will do a good job for them–and that they will enjoy working with her. My business is all referral, so that is #1.
Pricing:
- $55 an hour based on 4,000 words an hour
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.WordsandDeedsInc.com
