In the YouTube clip embedded above, video blogger and children’s author John Green sent a video letter to his brother–giving readers a peek into the editorial process with his editor, Julie Strauss-Gabel.
Green explained in the video: “The real heart of the editorial process happens way before we ever start fighting about whether ‘stormtrooper’ is one word or two and whether everyday can be Friday. It starts when I send Julie [Strauss-Gabel] a draft and then she sends me an editorial letter … there’s a reason that The Great Gatsby and The Sun Also Rises were edited by the same guy.”
Green is referring to legendary editor Maxwell Perkins. He proceeds to read from an editorial letter prescribing revisions for his manuscript. Mystery writer C.S. Harris describes what editorial letters generally look like on her blog.
Green will be announcing the title for his new book today. He recently won the Children’s Choice Book Award in the Teen Book of the Year category for Will Grayson, Will Grayson, a book he co-wrote with Scholastic editorial director David Levithan. (via Uncreated Conscience)