I posted a bit ago about the photopoetry book I’m working on for an educational publisher. I got it turned in early last week, and yesterday I got the revision notes.
Now, there are several kinds of revision notes I get from educational publishers. The first kind is the best kind. It’s where the editor says I nailed it, she loves it, and she has nothing further for me to do (or maybe just a few small wording changes). That kind usually only happens when I’m writing an entry for an existing series so I have something to match.
The second best kind is when I have plenty of work to do on the manuscript, but the notes all make sense and feel very doable. That’s the kind of revision note I got on the photopoetry book. Some adjustment in voice, a bit of rearranging, and a few changes in material–but nothing overwhelming or earth-shattering. That’s the kind I often get when I’m writing for a new series, as I am here.
And it’s the kind of note I got yesterday. So now I can move forward with this revision, confident I’m giving the editor what she wants. Yay!
As for the third kind, the "you totally missed the boat with this attempt" kind? We’re just not gonna go there.