For our 2024 blog series, we’re highlighting industry professionals to find out more about their time in the book world. Follow along for insight on what catches a reviewer’s interest, things to avoid when pitching a media outlet, what librarians are searching for and more.
Today, we’re chatting with A.E. Williams, an editor-turned-writer. After earning a bachelor of fine arts in creative writing from Full Sail University in 2020, A.E. began the journey of becoming a full-time book editor, editing books as a freelancer for indie authors.
Today, after five years in business, A.E. has grown his freelance venture into a full-service editorial firm, A.E. Williams Editorial, serving indie authors and publishing houses such as Hachette Book Group (imprints such as Running Press, Black Dog & Leventhal, and Orbit Books); Kensington Publishing (imprint Zebra books); Human Kinetics; and Mango Media Publishing. To date, the A.E. Williams Editorial team has worked on over two hundred books.
As someone who hears about A LOT of books, what makes one stand out to you?
Great books have a strong voice and a story that’s relatable regardless of genre. They also demonstrate prose that really captures the reader. I also think subtext is very powerful for scenes. Great books get to the point of the action, raise the stakes, and introduce dynamic characters that we want to root for.
What’s the worst thing an author can do in telling you about a book they’d like you to consider editing?
Red flags for me as an editor are “It’s my baby” and “I don’t want to change much.” These two phrases tell me right off the bat that a writer is not going to be receptive to my suggestions as an editor. Nothing is more frustrating than an author who’s hired my firm but doesn’t want to heed our professional opinions and advice.
What makes your job easier?
Writers who communicate their needs clearly and put their trust in the work we’re doing. The edits can go quite smoothly when an author is open to feedback and discussion and less likely to buck the objective feedback such as grammar and spelling conventions. We want the client’s book to appear as if an editor has worked on it.
Did you always know you wanted to be involved in the book world?
I started out as a writer myself, doing the whole self-publishing thing, even putting on my own book tour for local bookstores. I’ve been in love with the craft since high school, so I dreamed of having some mark on the publishing industry from a very early stage in my life. I’ve been writing for over twenty years and I’ve been editor for five. I wouldn’t have it any other way.
What is your most recommended book and why?
You can never go wrong with a Tolkien or C. S. Lewis piece. The classic fantasy has a wholesomeness to it that really captures the beauty of imagination. Those stories introduced things like friendship and morals to its reader base all those years ago. I’m a lover of fantasy, and I think the genre still has a similar place in society today as it did back then.
What is a book that surprised you recently?
What surprises me are books that are authentic to the writer, that encompass a piece of them. Writers often have trouble finding their voice, and therefore the book reads quite stiffly. What is always a nice surprise is when a writer, particularly a client for whom I’m editing. It’s nice to meet the person whose voice is highlighted on the page. That’s always nice.
What is your favorite part about working in the book community?
I get paid to read books. Who wouldn’t love that?
Ellen Whitfield is senior publicist at Books Forward, an author publicity and book marketing firm committed to promoting voices from a diverse variety of communities. From book reviews and author events, to social media and digital marketing, we help authors find success and connect with readers.
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