BY KATHI KAMEN GOLDMARK AND SAM BARRY

The Author Enablers are here to answer your questions about writing and publishing. Together, Kathi and Sam have more than 25 years of experience in book publishing. Kathi is an author, radio producer and former publicist; Sam is a marketing manager at a major publishing company and a freelance editor. They are also proud members of the Rock Bottom Remainders, the all-author rock band founded by Kathi in 1992.

Man vs. machine

Dear Author Enablers,

I have been googling for book-editing software and I am drawing blanks. Do you know of any software out there that can pre-edit a book? —Still Have My Day Job

Dear Still:

One of the nice things about this column is that it gives us a chance to chat with really smart publishing colleagues and share their ideas with our readers. Terri Leonard is the Executive Managing Editor at HarperSanFrancisco, where she is responsible for seeing manuscripts through copyediting, design and production. We asked Terri for her thoughts on editing software. "The grammar checks are helpful timesavers," she said, "especially in the early stages—but a computer program can't capture nuances and inconsistencies the way an editor can, such as if a character has red hair in chapter one and blond hair in chapter three."

We also asked Ridley Pearson (author of best-selling thrillers such as Cut and Run and co-author of Peter and the Starcatchers) what he thought about editing software. "I've never heard of software capable of editing a book. But then again, me does not trust grammar checkers neither," Ridley said. "Personally, I wouldn't trust it could do ANYTHING worthwhile. I love computers, but not in this role."

These two people who edit and write for a living feel that this work is best done by the human mind, and we agree. It's possible that there is a program out there, or on the horizon, that can do more than check your spelling and basic grammar. If you hear of something, let us know.

Dear Author Enablers,

I am perplexed by the way the publishing industry works. For a number of years I have been a successful writer of reference books and encyclopedia articles. So, I thought I would give fiction a try. But if publishers and agents are in it for the business, then why the excessively detailed methodology for the submittal of a manuscript? Don't they want to receive as many manuscripts as possible to select the best for publication? But wait, two of the authors of those great manuscripts forgot to send a self-addressed stamped envelope (SASE), so they won't be contacted? Your explanation or thoughts would be very much appreciated. —P. Emile Carr

Dear P.E.C.:

We certainly understand your frustration. It is very difficult to get an established publisher to pay attention to a submission, especially if it's fiction (and it's a sad fact that the term "buyer's market" applies here). You are not alone in wanting to be a published novelist, and most reputable agents get more inquiries—and manuscripts—than they can possibly handle.

Publishers and agents can afford to be choosy about how submissions are presented. Often a query letter is required, followed by a proposal in a very particular form. Why so many hoops? Let's try to look at it from their point of view.

Agents and acquisition editors are looking for worthy, well-written manuscripts that will succeed in a crowded marketplace. If they are being thorough they will want to make comments, and the most efficient way to do this is by writing notes on the manuscript itself. Double-spacing and adequate borders allow room for these suggestions. A SASE allows the agent or editor to return your manuscript without having to stand in line at the post office. (We personally hate standing in line at the post office, having perfected the writer's craft of procrastination to the point where our outgoing mail can sit around for weeks—maybe even months—before leaving our office.)

Another thought: agents and editors want to know that authors can take suggestions and meet deadlines. Submitting a manuscript according to specifications sends a message that you are a pro who knows how to take editorial direction. Your agent and editor have to believe in you and your writing. Submission guidelines may seem like a lot of unnecessary rules and regulations, but if you want to get published, that's how the game is played. Good luck.

Thanks for writing,
THE AUTHOR ENABLERS