EDITORS UNEDITED: Paul Roberts

Paul is one of our go-to nonfiction editors across disciplines but is particularly suited to working on your business-related book. As well as being focused and disciplined, his kindness is evident through his absolute attentiveness to making your book shine.  

As a decade-long Jericho editor, Paul has a great deal of wisdom to share. So let’s get into it:  

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.  

To immediately break with convention, here are TWO writing-related things I’m proud of. First is writing for Viz comic. It’s a British institution, right up there with the NHS, the Open University and the BBC (although all of those organisations would probably wince at appearing on a list that includes Viz). Second, is having had the opportunity to see so many of the authors I work with achieve their writing and publication dreams. Many come back to me with their second and third books which, for me, is a delight. 

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

I was born wanting to write. I love to make things up, to dream, to communicate, to find new and fresh ways of expressing concepts and feelings. I never tire of playing with words and ideas. 

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

Like everyone else, I’ve got a novel underway. But I also love to combine writing with other fields of interest. Presently, I’m writing a musical. The songs are all developed and recorded so I’m working on the characters and plot that will propel them to a grand finale! 

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

Again, two things. First, I’ll read the first five pages to get a sense of the book’s content and the writer’s style and maturity. I’ll also jump to the end to see if the style has been retained until the last page. Second, I’ll prepare a blank booklet divided into sections, each of which covers an area for likely inclusion in my report, such as ‘Pace’, ‘Marketability’ etc. This is where I’ll capture notes as I eventually read through the book in detail. During that process, I’ll capture individual themes and examples in the booklet, and I’ll include margin comments in the MS. 

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? 

The moment you expose your writing to the world, it’s no longer yours alone. You are inviting people to share their opinions of it. So, although you will feel protective, it’s incredibly important to listen to what people have to say. There can be a tendency to want to defend your book if a reader finds something that wasn’t to their taste, or which they think could have been done differently. The writer is, of course, quite at liberty to decline a reader’s advice, but would be foolish not to listen to it. Personally, I try to withhold my opinions and hear what the reader is trying to tell me. There’s little value in arguing with someone who’s read your book – it has to be able to defend itself. 

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

The written word has the power to clearly communicate complex ideas, but only if those words have been thoughtfully developed and edited. I am always intrigued by the combination of a challenging or alternative concept which has been well-written. Even the dullest of topics can be elevated when they have been articulated well. 

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

I love novels that take me to worlds that I’ve never experienced. I’m also a big fan of biography – gaining insight into someone else’s motivations is quite a thrill. 

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

Read your work out loud, again and again and again. Listen to how it sounds. If the writing trips you up, it’ll do the same to the reader. 

Is your manuscript ready for a professional critique? Paul 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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