Interview with PsychoToxin Press Anthology Editor Jennifer Horgan

1. What is your background in editing?

I’ve been an avid reader since I was a child, and have also enjoyed writing stories for as long as I can remember. My dad was a high school teacher with impeccable spelling, grammatical, and other writing/editing-related skills, and he taught me everything he knew. I got to the point where, in about grade seven, I would proofread his grade twelve students’ assignments.

While attending college, I worked as both a tutor and a teacher's assistant. Part of my job was editing, which, by this time, came so naturally to me, it didn't seem like work at all.

Throughout my career in various Information Technology positions, I wrote technical papers, taught classes, and edited the work of others. When I went back to school after a mass layoff at my company, I edited university papers, did some freelance ghostwriting and editing for websites, and created online college courses to supplement my income.

Throughout this time, I continued to write and edit as a hobby, and ended up joining writing critique groups to learn more about the editing process. I also spent hundreds of hours self-teaching myself the rules of editing.

In 2018, I decided to become a full-time freelance editor, and have since accumulated a long list of new and repeat editing clients. I feel very fortunate to be able to add to this list on a regular basis. I also still very much enjoy writing, and do so in my spare time and in between editing projects.

2. How long have you been editing for PsychoToxin Press?

I was delighted to be offered an editing position at PsychoToxin Press in October, 2023. Up until that point, my professional editing career had consisted of freelance editing jobs, leading to the ever-increasing list of private clients who entrust their manuscripts to me for high-quality, affordable, full editing services.

3. What do you edit for this publishing company?

I feel honored to have the title of Anthology Editor for PsychoToxin Press. In this role, I have the pleasure of editing the stories I've accepted by various authors for inclusion into PTP anthologies.

4. Is there anything specific you hope to see when deciding whether or not to accept a manuscript?

My job as the Anthology Editor for PsychoToxin Press is somewhat different than that held by the other PTP editors, since they decide whether to accept a manuscript, whereas I decide whether to accept each of a series of stories, written by different authors, to complete an anthology.

What I hope to see when deciding whether or not to accept a submission for a PTP anthology include:

● The story is in line with the theme, when applicable.

● The story has a clear beginning, middle, and end that flows and captures my attention, and has an interesting and fully-developed plot. If the story surprises me, even better! I love unexpected endings. Especially the ones that send a shiver up my spine.

● Although I expect there to be some errors that require editing, I hope to see submissions in which the author has obviously taken care to reduce these types of errors as much as possible. This indicates to me that the author takes pride in his or her work.

5. What are some common mistakes you see in manuscripts?

Common mistakes in any story, whether it be within the manuscripts I edit as a freelance editor or the submissions I review for inclusion into a PTP anthology, are primarily the same.

The most common include shifting POV (point of view), which can cause confusion for readers and can disrupt the flow of the story; verb tense inconsistencies, most commonly when the author switches back and forth between present and past tense; dialogue tags and quotation marks and other punctuation errors when characters are speaking; plot holes; and spelling (including obvious typos), and grammatical errors.

6. Are there any editing goofs you tend to overlook in manuscripts?

No. Haha. I tend to be a perfectionist when it comes to editing.

7. How do you work with an author as their editor?

As the Anthology Editor for PsychoToxin Press, my first step is to read the story in full. If I decide to accept the story for inclusion into the anthology I'm reviewing for, I contact the author and let him or her know that his or her story has been accepted. I also provide detailed feedback about the story quality in general. Sometimes, rather than outright accepting a story, I will suggest changes and invite the author to resubmit once these changes have been made.

Once I've accepted a story, I will edit it and send my suggestions back to the author with feedback. I will then work closely with the author until we are both completely satisfied with the story, and agree that it's ready for publication into the anthology.

8. Have you ever had a negative experience with an author? If so, how was it resolved?

No. I'm very fortunate, as an editor, to have never had a negative experience with an author.

9. What happens if an author does not agree with your suggestions?

The quick answer is: it depends.

For a story that has been tentatively accepted for inclusion into an anthology but, for example, does not meet the theme requirements if adjustments are not made, it could result in the story being rejected. Also, if the suggestions not agreed upon include spelling, punctuation, or grammatical corrections, I would not feel comfortable if the author refused to have them corrected.

For editing suggestions related to plot, for instance, I would give a lot of leniency and respect the fact that the story belongs to the author. In this scenario, I wouldn't push my suggestions for change unless there was a gaping plot hole, or something similar.

Fortunately, up to this point at least, the authors I've had the pleasure of working with as their editor have, for the most part, agreed with my editing suggestions.

10. How long does it typically take you to work through edits on a manuscript when going on the first round of edits?

Much like the full manuscripts I edit as a freelance editor, when editing a story for an anthology, it really depends on the story itself.

On average, it would take anywhere from one to five hours, depending on story length and amount of editing required.

Just for reference, the first round of edits for a full, average-sized manuscript would take me anywhere from four to seven full eight-hour days, depending on how much editing is required.

11. Do you feel that it's important to have a background as a professional editor before becoming an editor at a publishing company?

Great question! On one hand, I feel that having a background as a professional editor before becoming an editor at a publishing company is important because the editor already knows the ins and outs of the role. But, on the other hand, I’m also a big believer in learning on-the-job, whenever possible, and giving people a chance to pursue the job they desire. So, if someone interested in pursuing an editing position at a publishing job has some experience in related occupations or hobbies, such as writing and self-editing his or her own work, participating in book-related circles as a beta and/or ARC reader, and/or acting as a book critiquer and/or reviewer, I believe this person, with the help and guidance of an experienced editor and mentor, could pursue a position as an editor at a publishing company.

12. Are there any books or editing courses you recommend to anyone who wishes to pursue editing professionally?

I learned to be a professional editor in part by being in the right place at the right time, including during my childhood with the help of my father, and then both during my college days and various positions I held with employers. I also spent a great deal of time self-teaching myself editing rules, and practicing, practicing, practicing.

I also owe a lot to my author friends, for their trust, and my editor friends, for their encouragement.

I don't personally have specific books or courses to recommend, but I will share that I am in the process of developing an editing course (the first of many, I hope) that will be offered by PsychoToxin Press University (PTPU) later this year for anyone who wishes to learn more about the craft. PTPU will also be offering courses in other writing and book artist-related areas, so stay tuned!!

ABOUT JENNIFER:

I am a freelance author and editor from Nova Scotia, Canada, eh? I have dozens of stories published in various anthologies, tons of ghostwritten articles on various websites, and my debut full-length novel, Mind Crawlers, along with a couple of short story collections, are due to be published in 2024. By PsychoToxin Press, of course!

I am also the Anthology Editor for PsychoToxin Press, and am currently in the process of finalizing several anthologies due for publication in 2024. Although the author spots for these forthcoming anthologies have already been filled, I will be sending out calls for submissions for future anthologies. I am also always looking for ideas for anthology collections. So feel free to contact me at: ptpanthologyeditor@gmail.com I'd love to hear from you!

I can also be found on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/jenniferhorgan940, which has links to my other social media profiles, including my very active FB author/editor page, writer support group, website, and the PsychoToxin Press website, among others.

NOTE: PSYCHOTOXIN PRESS HAS SHUT DOWN.