EDITORS UNEDITED: Holly Seddon

We’re delighted to be sharing the fourth instalment of EDITORS UNEDITED! Today we’re talking to Holly Seddon. A current Jericho editor and mentor, and previous head of community, Holly is a big part of Jericho Writers as well as a bestselling author (her most recent thriller came out last week!)  – so I hope you’re taking notes! Holly would love to work on novels under the crime/thriller/suspense umbrella.  

Here are her words of wisdom:  

Q: So that we can learn a bit about you, tell us about one writing-related thing you’re proud of, and one non-writing related thing you’re proud of.  

The writing-related thing I’m most proud of is the blurbs that I’ve had from authors I admire. I’ll never forget the day that Augusten Burroughs tweeted kindly about my debut, I was so overwhelmed with pride that I couldn’t speak for a moment and my husband thought I’d just received word of a terrible tragedy.  

The non-writing thing is going bouldering with my family and not giving up on it despite being clumsy and scared of heights. My children scale up these plastic mountain sides like monkeys and I painfully make my way up the beginner circuits but I love it and I’m gradually getting more brave. 

Q: What brought you to the world of writing? What keeps you writing?  

I can’t remember not writing. As soon as I could form words with a pencil, it was what I wanted to do most in my life. What keeps me writing is a mix of addiction, pride, curiosity and desire to try new things, explore new styles and topics.  

Q: Tell me about what you’re currently working on.  

I’m just coming to the end of writing book six – name to be announced later! – and editing it ready to send to my publisher. It’s a thriller that somewhat subverts the manor house mystery and I’m excited to get it into people’s hands.  

Q: You’ve just received a new manuscript to critique: what’s the first thing you do? Walk us through your editing process.  

I read the synopsis carefully and write down any immediate thoughts and questions. Then I open up a template for the report as this guides my thinking a little, and I write the report as I read the book, gradually populating each section with notes. Every little typo or grammatical hiccup goes in the editorial notes section, as do small points and prose suggestions. This steadily fills up as I read the manuscript. I tend to read in bursts of at least an hour so I can really immerse myself in the work and when I’ve finished, I write up those notes on the report into a more professional and comprehensive format.  

Q: How do you manage being on the other side of the editorial process – when your own writing is being edited? What should an author who is receiving critique for the first-time be aware of? 

Just know that everyone has the same shared goal – to help get your work in the best shape possible. Sometimes, that means being told some hard truths and that can sting. But I’d rather hear it from an editor than read it on multiple negative reviews after publication! That said, it’s important to trust your gut. Sometimes an edit is suggested that doesn’t feel right to you, it’s worth exploring that and trying to think of other routes to fix the issue that’s been identified.  

Q: What writing do you get most excited about working as an editor on? What really makes you intrigued by a submission?  

When it’s a fresh idea or a fresh twist on a well-worn idea. When the voice is really compelling and when I can see ways to help the author really bring their idea to life.  

Q: What do you read for pleasure? Is this different to the writing you enjoy working on?  

I generally have two fiction books on the go at all times (and often non-fiction for research). I have my bedtime book, which is almost always a classic crime or a mid-century mystery (I’m enjoying Mary Kelly and Julian Symons). I often read series books too, such as the Maigret books or the Arsene Lupin stories.  

For my ‘day book’(!), I read very widely and there’s no genre I’d reject outright. I do have some favourites though. I read a lot of modern history fiction, especially translated fiction set during the cold war.  

Q: Finally, if you could only give one piece of advice to all aspiring authors, what would it be?  

Read. Read widely. Read often. So much of our instinct as writers is built through reading.  

Is your manuscript ready for a professional critique? Holly is one of 70+ Jericho Writers editors, so we’ll always find your perfect match.    

Head over to our editing hub to see the services that we have on offer. Not sure which service to opt for? Drop an email to info@jerichowriters.com and we’ll be happy to discuss which service would be right for you and your manuscript.

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