Now that I have chosen my path of fantasy fiction editor, I’ve been discussing with James what I need to do to develop my new site, among other things. He’s given me lots of homework, which is great. Really.
I’m doing it right the first time, I’m ecstatic to say, though I’m finding it extremely difficult, and, yeah, lots of times I feel like running away screaming. (Did he say cold calling?!)
These last few days I’ve spent trying to visualize what I want. Following my last post about focusing on my clients’ needs rather than mine, I’ve been imagining a certain type of approach, and trying to specifically define the type of clients I want to target (demographics, basically, but also how they feel, what they think, what their problems are that I need to solve).
I’ve also been thinking about how I want the website to look, what widgets, features, colours, images, etc., it should include. This is all quite overwhelming, and I feel I need a lot of handholding, but I keep pushing because I want to. And because I have to. I can’t stand the guilt of not working often enough, as well as the general malaise I feel.
The most difficult part of all this has been trying to come up with a domain name for the coolest fantasy editor site ever. Fantasy Freak was the first domain name that came into my head. I’m not sure about it. I’m not sure if I should use certain keywords like editor or fantasy fiction or boring things like that. Or if I should have a name like Word Warrior, Dragonslayer, or CopyDemon.
Yes, I’m going for the younger crowd, say 20-40, and I’m going for cool (though of course quite capable), rather than serious and expert and winner of the World Fantasy Award. I’d like to keep my site as free as possible of the typical copy editor lingo.
Of course I want this business to take off and do well, and for me to be very busy and busily geeking it out with fellow writers and fantasy lovers.
But I can’t compete with those (few but very real) freelance editors who are hobnobbing with and telling RA Salvatore and David Eddings what to do. And anyway, I don’t really want to hang out at editors’ conferences and be up for editing awards. I don’t really want to sip tea with accomplished fantasy writers. Not really.
I’d rather hang with the writers who need me, where we can work together on getting something publishable but also chill with virtual slices of pizza and chat on the blog about RPGs we love as well as troubles we have creating fantasy names for our stories and whether or not a certain class of character would actually be able to wear more than studded leather armour.
I think it best that I put myself where I would feel most comfortable — that is, with those writers who feel like I do when it comes to writing their own stories. If you’ve been reading here for a while, you know exactly what that means. If I can empathize and truly intimately understand that keen sense of insecurity, fear, doubt, and shyness, combined with an intense desire to write, I can help.
My heart seriously warms at the idea of taking fledgling or frustrated writers by the hand and saying, Come. Let’s slay these dragons and fight the good fight. Let’s conjure up some magic.
I think any writer would be lukcy to have you for an editor. You are kind, encouraging and you have a heart. : )
Have you ever checked out AbsoluteWrite.com? Lots of fantasy writers there, and also a place that writers can be amongst there own kind. It’s a great place for networking.
I’m not big on writer’s groups, as I have always loved the hermitism of writing, but I really love Absolute Write.
Em
I should be an editor, lol. I want to change the above “lukcy” to lucky and “there” to their. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.
Typing in the cooler dark, here. : )
Em
I’ll say one thing (I’ve already said so much via email!):
Choose a domain name with no negative connotations. “Freak” doesn’t portray a positive image, but rather one of societal outcast.
Brainstorm a whole list of potential domain names – like, gather 20 of them. Shoot me the list via email and I’ll tell you my thoughts.
Make sure they’re short, snappy, sound good out loud (walk around the house testing them), and type easily. Make sure the acronym doesn’t spell anything odd, too.
Emily: Thank you for those kind words. And I know what you mean about wanting to fix comments! But other bloggers for several reasons say it’s better to just leave them. I could fix them for you, but I’m tempted not to. Smile. And just let go.
Also, thanks for that link! I’ll check it out.
James: Good points.The acronym one made me laugh! I’ve seen that before.
All right, I’ll get on that. Crap, it’s *hard*!
Steph: (website name) Did you mean DragonSlayer or JargonSlayer?
It is fun to have a clear business goal and mission, isn’t it?
You are a great writer too – I like your last paragraph a lot!!
T: AHAHAHA!! Good one! But at the same time, jargon is too specific and it’s not all I’ll be slaying, no? The thing is, jargon, being specific to a certain thing, might not be so bad in fantasy. In corporate world, yes. It’s downright annoying and cliché and hard to understand for an outsider being targeted. But in a particular kind of fiction like fantasy, generally only read by fantasy lovers, jargon kind of belongs!
Bretthead: Thank you, and yes, it’s fun getting it all together! But scary as hell too.
Did you like the last para because of the words I chose or because of the feeling it evoked?
Steph,
I have to agree with James on “freak.” Too much erotica research? (Remembering of course that to a broader world even “fantasy” doesn’t mean what you are assuming it means.)
Must be able to see the forest for the trees at all times, look for those misunderstandings, and head them off by not going down those roads. I’ve said it before, much trouble is caused by being too clever.
If you want a visual that says it all (and a good article + comment discussion to go with it), check this out:
http://jonathanfields.com/blog/slogan-train-wrecks-taste-my-nuts/
After you click on it you will put all terribly clever ideas out of your head. And if you’re like me, you’ll laugh for quite a while.
Regards,
Kelly
Kelly: Yeah, I thought about that with fantasy. Colin and I joke about me being “your fantasy editor.” Let me just get into costume for you…
Usually fantasy goes hand in hand with sci-fi. I don’t have a problem with sci-fi but I wondered if then I was getting too broad? I’ll ask James about that too.
But if not fantasy, then what? What says that genre to my targeted market? Elves? Dragons? Clerics and mages? Barbarians and necromancers?
Augh!! Someone get me started!
Oh, and thanks for the link. I’ll definitely check it out. I also googled how to come up with a good domain name but so far nothing’s helped.
I really had a tough time coming up with my name. I first wanted to go with something ultra professional so I could get corporate work, but all my ideas had the word “lavender” in the name.
Yeah. Not good.
Try http://www.visualthesaurus.com for some brainstorming fodder.
Beth: Lavender?! Ahahaha!!
I hope it’s not rude to laugh. You meant to be funny there, a little bit, didn’t you?
It IS hard, isn’t it? I can’t seem to come up with anything. I suck at doing anything for me. The stuff rolls off my tongue when it’s for someone else. Unfortunately, I can’t pretend I’m someone else. I can’t lie to me.
Thanks for that link!
Kelly: Taste my nuts?!
Checking out that link…
I’d suggest staying away from the High Fantasy kinds of terms. They may make it seem like you only edit that flavor of fantasy.
Also, I’m guessing quite a few of your clients will write more “modern” fantasy, like urban fantasy. They tend to not like being associated with the High fantasy crowd. (I’m totally painting in broad strokes here, obviously.)
Shawn: Um, any suggestions??
Starting to get freaked out here! Can’t use fantasy, it seems, since that’s too broad a word, but can’t hone in, either, since then that becomes exclusive…but how do I let them know what I’m doing? I’m thinking I’d like to stay away from what James calls the “stiff old schoolmarm with matronly large breasts and snippy attitudes” image. So no “typical” editor names…
My hubby wants me to call myself Word Wench. He says men like wenches.
Sorry, I’m terrible with names as well. My business’ name is File13, for cryin’ out loud. What was I thinking?
I like Word Wench. It makes me giggle. Probably not the reaction you’re looking for.
My suggestion about staying away from High fantasy assumes that’s not all you want to edit. If it is, then rock the hell out of it. (I must stop making assumptions.)
I guess when it comes down to it, some group of people isn’t going to like the like the name you choose. So, go with whatever you want. I know that’s not a lot of help, but it’s what I have.
Naw, I don’t think I can use wench. It’s got negative connotations, for me, anyway, and probably other women. Of course you giggled!
I think I’m including all fantasy. James said just stick with that when I was trying to hone it down. Fantasy is just fine, thank you very much, or something like that, is what he said.
Anyway, your points, as are everyone’s, are good things to consider. So thank you!
Okay, STOP, people.
Steph: Fantasy. You ARE excluding people because you ARE targeting a specific audience because you DO want to sell something very specific to a specific someone.
Listen to the freakin’ marketing expert, will you?
And if someone thinks you’re a fantasy editor in the whips and chains sense? Hey! More power to you! Two editing niches in one.
Readers who like fantasy and sci fi know exactly what fantasy means and they know who they are. They KNOW that you don’t mean sexy smut. The people who are outside of your target market may think that – SO WHAT?
You’re not marketing to the mystery writer or the historical romance writer. Alright? You NEED to exclude them. Bye bye, guys.
Don’t get all flustered and off your business plan the first time someone disagrees with you. You know what you want, you know how to get it, so go after it and quit second guessing everything.
James: I love your passion!
I never thought of including the other genres (mystery, historical romance, etc), so we’re okay there. But I’m still a bit confused. I’ll email you.
I’ve been thinking more high fantasy, if you want to know specifically, which has several subsubgenres fit into it, like heroic and sword and sorcery fantasy. Many of the subgenres of fantasy overlap. I have no problem with that.
If someone wants to submit elfpunk, mythic fiction, or, as James suggested, erotic fantasy, I’m not going to run screaming.
I’m just fascinated sitting here reading the comments.
wow.
No suggestions other than do exactly what James is telling you to do. that is very good marketing advice.
Wendi: You bet! I don’t want to bring the French words out…
(Actually, I love it when James does that. It’s a wonderful display of passion in true Québécois style!)
I’ll admit, as a bit of a budding fantasy writer I’d be slightly turned off by a name that evoked some of the Standard Tropes; the problem with them is that just about everybody seems to approach them the same way, and then you end up with “Add a Dragon” syndrome. Particularly if it’s the kinds of words that call up a game system rather than a novel.
Then again, I’m also a genre elitist who lives by LeGuin essays and used to get into arguments with the creative writing professors over whether fantasy could or should be literary, so…. well, don’t mind me.
Ravyn: Hey, welcome! I’m glad you commented.
I believe fantasy can indeed be literary. I’m surprised you even had to have that argument with professors, considering the recognized fantasy greats out there, like LeGuin, whom you mentioned.
Thus, I say both “fantasy” and “literary” are subjective, and I don’t believe that words like dragon or sword, elves or gnomes, or any allusions to other worlds, for instance, necessarily evoke RPGs for everyone. All of those things can also be found in Tolkien, whom I consider quite literary!
In naming my editing business, I do plan to be quite clear what the site is — that is, an editor’s site rather than a gaming or fan site. But I also need to be clear what kind of editing I do. As an academic editor I have a business name that’s serious, and text that suits the target market.
As a fantasy editor, however, because fantasy is subjective, I have to accept and take the risk that people may misinterpret, as you mentioned you might, my name. But I will certainly be using a word or words that connote fantasy, regardless of type. So long as it gets across that I edit fantasy, I believe I’ll be all right. Interpret that as you will.
I would love to edit literary fantasy, but if all I get is fiction by those who love gaming, I still think I’d be doing all right!
Ravyn: I might have misunderstood you. I just visited your blog, called Exchange of Realities: where gaming and writing mingle. (!!)
*grins* Probably a little. To clarify:
I don’t look down on gamers–I try to work in game design, and I’ve been running the same Exalted campaign for the last three years. It’s more… the problem is, when I see those things used, I generally see overused archetypes that nobody bothers to change. The dwarves always do this. The elves always do that. Tolkien provides the nice archetypes, and then everyone uses them. (Don’t get me started on what I think D&D 4th is going to do to this; I still haven’t forgiven them for their bland magic items.) It’s more that living in a world where most “normal” people think Paolini when someone mentions good young adult fantasy makes me worry about where the genre’s going.
Were I you, I’d use a semi-obscure mythical creature in your brand name; it gives you the fantasy connotation, but you don’t have to worry quite so much about the overused archetype connotation. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_legendary_creatures might help.
Ravyn:
Oddly enough I was just thinking about mythical creatures! (GryphonEditing?)
At the same time, since there are a slew of writers, and I mean LOTS of them, who write high and middle fantasy and who thrive on the old archetypes, I’m not entirely convinced it would be a bad idea to stray from those terms. This is the market I want to reach. I suspect the clichés are still there because people like to hang onto them, and gamers and writers keep using them because they have large fan bases and are familiar as well as popular. If dwarves started doing something uncharacteristic, I’d probably query that in a piece of writing!
Obscure, even semi, sounds like something I actually need to stay clear from, considering my goal is to reach the masses, no? I’m looking for safe and familiar as far as names go because I want the writers to feel at home and comfortable hiring me. Also, it’s what they’ll be googling.
Were I to edit your writing, it wouldn’t be that I would insist you use clichés or that I’d necessarily try to convince you not to create new archetypes. But for the business name, as James mentioned earlier, I do want to be somewhat exclusive and very clear as to my intent.
PS. As for Paolini, well, I understand what you’re saying, but cut him a little slack!
He’ll grow into his cloak plus 6 yet. He’s made the bestseller lists at a very young age. I commend his ambition, strength, determination, and joy in what he does and wants to share. His hard work, and he has worked hard creating languages and such and researching, has paid off for him. And I think people are excited about him because his books aren’t *total* trash (I’ve read far worse) and since he’s so young he has years to put out more and improved stuff. Promising excites publishers to no end.
The point with him is, he sells, right? And I want to work on what will sell. If I had no hope in hell of helping authors get published, I’m not sure what my point would be.
@ Steph
Now you’re talking.
@ Rayvn
That would be a bad move. Take Steph’s example of Gryphon. I know what that is. I’m also 37 years old. My teen, who is 15 and who loves fantasy, does not know what a grphyon is. Why?
Because it’s not a common association with fantasy. What is? Elves, dwarves, swords, heroes, princesses, treasures, quests, overlords.
These are common and widely recognized symbols that represent fantasy and that have a strong association in people’s mind’s. Eschewing that in favor of being clever is a branding and marketing mistake for a business.
“What’s your business name again?”
“Gryphon Editing.”
“Gr… um… is that spelled with an i?”
“No. Gryphon with a Y. You know, the mythical creature?”
“Um, no… is that like a faun?”
“No, not like a faun. it’s a lion with wings and an eagle’s head.”
“Oh.” Blank look as the brain tries to assimilate. “I see. How do you spell it again?”
James: Thanks. I really can’t add to that. And since there are at least three or four valid spellings of gryphon, I’d be in just as much trouble.
For anyone wondering: yes, everyone knows what a faun is. We’ve all read or heard of Narnia.
Steph: The reason why I don’t cut Paolini slack is that I was writing at his age. I’m only 21, after all, and I’ve been writing things with decent plots since I was tennish. I just don’t have parents in the publishing industry.
It’s also–and more importantly–that my first internet community was a creative linguistics forum. Those guys were amazing; the age range was pretty much from fourteen years old up, and just about everyone there had a pretty good sense of language building and the like. Made me feel downright inadequate. How’s this connect to Paolini? He says creating a language is easy…. when what he’s written is an English-clone with rather transparent grammar, little more than a naming language really, massive apostrophe abuse (I’ve been guilty of the same thing, which is why the manuscript I did it in has never been shown to anyone outside my immediate family and high school social group), the words are even more borrowed than Rowling’s pseudo-Latin, and he’s encouraging everyone to think of it as if he were the next Tolkien. And because of my old friends, and because I was raised by a linguist, this… well, gets my back up a bit. Sorry about derailing the topic, though.
Ravyn: Ahhh! I see.
First, don’t worry about derailing the topic. Happens all the time, and people generally go with it. Plus, Paolini’s considered fantasy, so we’re still on topic.
It sounds as though you have a lot of experience with writing and have been in a wonderful environment for fostering good fiction.
I guess, then, what’s skyrocketed Paolini is the timing (during the Rowling period when kids will read anything of that sort they can get their hands on [I know this from working in a library]) and perhaps also that he’s young. People like young sensations. It could also be his attitude and confidence, and yes, very helpful parents. He put himself out there for the taking. And in the end, that’s what’s most important in getting published.
CS Lewis said he wrote what he wanted to read because he didn’t much like what else was out there, including Tolkien’s stuff. Sometimes you have to take matters into your own hands. I imagine you are doing the same. Have you thought of publishing or have you published?
I
‘m not asking to be nasty, I’m simply saying that with your experience and upbringing, there seems no reason you shouldn’t try, especially considering that stuff you consider crap can be published!
Published? Well–poem in the Creswell Chronicle a few years ago, still waiting for the artists for the company I’m supposed to write fluff for to hurry up and get the art done so we can get that stuff on the market, and the reason I haven’t submitted either of my early stories is that at the stage I am now, I’d be embarrassed to put my name on them. And I never said I considered anyone crap, per se… I just want higher-quality representation. I’d settle for people thinking the iconic not-adult fantasy novels were Lloyd Alexander’s Prydain chronicles, or Garth Nix’s Abhorsen trilogy, or Sherwood Smith’s Wren series. (Or Crown Duel, for that matter. That one’s pretty.)
@ Ravyn: Oh, yes, I like Lloyd Alexander. I haven’t read Garth Nix yet, or Sherwood Smith. I’ll have to do that!
If you’re serious about writing more of your own stuff (not for work), something you might consider is reworking your old stories (gets you back in the mindset) and publishing them on your site. Get them out there. Let others decide whether or not they’re worthy! And then keep going.