How Books Get Finished: Editor And Agent Talk About Revision

Independent editor Alexandra Shelley and literary agent Eleanor Jackson discuss what it takes to get a book from first draft to "finished" book.  With She Writes Founder Kamy Wicoff, Alexandra and Eleanor discuss the changing publishing ecosystem, where agents and independent editors play a more important role than ever, as well as sharing tips and strategies for anyone who has ever tackled the task of not only revising a written work, but of knowing when the revision is complete.

 

Alexandra Shelley has over 20 years of editing experience. Most recently, she worked as an independent editor with author Kathryn Stockett on "The Help," that has been on the Best Seller List for the past 55 weeks. Ms. Shelley is former Deputy Editorial Director of Bridge Works Publishing, where she was responsible for choosing and editing some of that house’s successes. Among these are the best-selling "Patty Jane’s House of Curl" by Lorna Landvik; "Worthy’s Town" by Sharon Rolens (B&N Discover Great New Writers Award Finalist); "Aria" by Susan Segal (Washington Post Best Books of the Year). She also brought in Tom Perrotta’s first book.

 

Eleanor Jackson joined the Markson Thoma Literary Agency in 2008. She has been an agent at the Queen Literary Agency and at InkWell Management. She is a graduate of Colby College and the Columbia Publishing course. Her list includes bestselling authors in a wide range of categories. She looks for books with deeply imagined worlds and for writers unafraid to take risks with their work.