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Louise Bohmer is the editor-in-chief of Lachesis Publishing, based in Nova Scotia, and she is a senior editor for Lachesis’ two imprints, LBF Books and Sinful Moments Press, along with freelancing for some other small press publishers. Her writing leans mainly toward the dark fantastical and horror, but she has also dabbled in poetry and erotic fiction. The Black Act, her debut novel, will be published in April 2009.
INTERVIEW
Louise Bohmer
CLF:
How long have you been an Editor?
How long have you been an Editor?LB: I’ve been editing for just over 3 years. Not very long, and I still have so far to
I’ve been editing for just over 3 years. Not very long, and I still have so far to go. With 2 more years experience under my belt, I can get my accreditation with the EAC (Editors Association of Canada). I’m still very much a newcomer in this industry. CLF:Did you always want to be part of the publishing industry?
Did you always want to be part of the publishing industry?LB: Yes, honestly, I did. I thought it wasn’t a lucrative enough career plan at one time,
Yes, honestly, I did. I thought it wasn’t a lucrative enough career plan at one time, and I put it on the shelf and forgot it. But, things happened in my life about 6 plus years ago that gave me a bit of an opportunity to try and pursue this industry again, and so I took the chance.CLF:What is a typical day like for you as an Editor?
What is a typical day like for you as an Editor?LB: It usually starts with a stack of e-mails. I work through some of those first, then I
It usually starts with a stack of e-mails. I work through some of those first, then I open my projects for the day. Right now, I’m working on about two, as I’m working on edits for my book as well as our other authors’ books. So, it starts with e-mails, and then I move into editing or merging a book for print for the day. I’m usually on the computer anywhere from 8 – 10 hours a day. CLF:What is the timeline and process like from the moment Lachesis Publishing signs
What is the timeline and process like from the moment Lachesis Publishing signs an author, to the release of their work?LB: After an author is accepted a contract is sent out. Once they sign the contract and
After an author is accepted a contract is sent out. Once they sign the contract and Carole receives her copy of it, I send them a TIF—Title Information Form—and a GCAF—Generic Cover Art Form. They are asked to fill these out and send them back to me. One is to give us input into their cover creation, while the other will be part of the final book design as it includes a section for the back cover blurb. This is also when I assign them a pre-order and release date. We like to give the two dates for scheduling purposes—to keep everything ahead of deadline rather than cutting it to the skin of your teeth. Content edits begin with an editor, and once those are finished I create a galley of the edited document. A copy editor then receives this pre-formatted document and copy edits begin. This is also when the author receives the first galley to author proof. After copy edits are done and I receive the proofs back from the author, I merge the document for print and send it to Carole. Carole then applies the final graphics and typesetting. She sends the final galley to me and the author for a last check, and then the document is sent to print and made ready as an ebook as well. CLF:How long does it take you, on average, to edit a book, and how many rounds of
How long does it take you, on average, to edit a book, and how many rounds of editing does it usually involve?LB: Depending on the amount of work involved, it can take on average 1 – 3 months.
Depending on the amount of work involved, it can take on average 1 – 3 months. We try to accept books that are so neat we have minimal clean up to do. Some books have taken longer than this, as there have been some extensive rewrites required, but I’d say that our average for a content edit is 1.5 to 2 months. That would involve two rounds of edits then you are sent to a copy editor for a final clean up. For the more extensive edits, it would most likely be three months or possibly four. CLF:Some Editors adhere to the editing of grammar, while some dive right in and
Some Editors adhere to the editing of grammar, while some dive right in and work with the author to tighten their work. Which angle would you say you tackle most, and why?
CLF: Has being an Editor yourself had any impact on your career as an author, and vice versa?
Has being an Editor yourself had any impact on your career as an author, and vice versa?LB: Being an editor has made writing more precious to me. I have to plan my writing around the editing these days, and that makes writing time all the more precious. I
Being an editor has made writing more precious to me. I have to plan my writing around the editing these days, and that makes writing time all the more precious. I think it’s made me appreciate writing so much more. And I think it’s helped me get my name out there somewhat more. Now authors who I edit for also know I am a writer, and they help me spread the word, and even do some test reading for me. So, if anything, I think it’s helped me branch out as a writer, and it’s made even more grateful for my writing time. CLF:Which genre do you prefer with regards to your own writing?
Which genre do you prefer with regards to your own writing?LB: For my own writing, I prefer dark fantasy. I love horror as well, but I just never seem to produce what I feel is true horror. It always seems to come out leaning more
For my own writing, I prefer dark fantasy. I love horror as well, but I just never seem to produce what I feel is true horror. It always seems to come out leaning more toward dark fantasy. Not to say I haven’t written some horrific short tales, but most of them will come out more haunting, eerie in tone, rather than outright frightening. Also, there’s always this element of the supernatural that likes to creep into my work, which I feel is more integral to dark fantasy, but horror can exist without that supernatural element. Whereas, I think it’s far harder to divorce the supernatural element from dark fantasy. CLF:Where do you see the industry going?
Where do you see the industry going?LB: As far as genre publishing goes, I think you’re going to see more cross genre works coming out. In fact, I think you’re going to see a lot more genre blending in the
As far as genre publishing goes, I think you’re going to see more cross genre works coming out. In fact, I think you’re going to see a lot more genre blending in the future. Cross and subgenres are growing, and there is so much potential for cross and subgenres, I don’t see them going away anytime soon.CLF:As an Editor, what advice would you give to aspiring authors?
As an Editor, what advice would you give to aspiring authors?LB: Write what you want to write. Don’t follow trends. Know your markets and know what is hot out there, but don’t try to duplicate it. Write the book that’s in you to write
Write what you want to write. Don’t follow trends. Know your markets and know what is hot out there, but don’t try to duplicate it. Write the book that’s in you to write with a mind toward the trends and markets you want to try for, but don’t try to rewrite the latest best seller. Write your own book that’s waiting inside you.Follow guidelines to the letter. Nothing makes a worse first impression with an editor than not following guidelines. Make sure your manuscript packet is as clean and professional as possible, and make sure you include everything in the submission packet that the company asks for. You whole book should shine, but make sure your opening is active and engrossing. Pull the editor into the story with your first paragraph so that they can’t pull themselves away until your partial is done. Hook them with the first line of the story. Don’t give them a minute in that first paragraph to glance away from the page or even take a sip of coffee.Lachesis Publishing, 2009
LB: I like to look at both when doing a content edit. I work on point of view clarity with my authors, plot consistency, fact checking, and we
I like to look at both when doing a content edit. I work on point of view clarity with my authors, plot consistency, fact checking, and we also tackle the technical work. This method leaves as little clean up for the copy editor as possible and this is how it should really be, as the copy editor’s job is minor technical clean up, so I try to get the manuscript as neat as possible for them. Plus I really like to work with my author on all aspects and explain the processes we are going through to them. Why is this a plot hole? I’ll explain it to them. If they are murky on point of view and there is head hopping, I’ll explain the intricacies of point of view with them. I want my writers to know why the edits have been applied, and what they mean, rather than just demanding they do their corrections without explanation of the rules I’m using.CLF:What is your favorite genre, and why?
What is your favorite genre, and why?LB: My favorite genre is horror and that overlaps with dark fantasy. I’ll read just about anything except for romance, as I’m not as big on the
My favorite genre is horror and that overlaps with dark fantasy. I’ll read just about anything except for romance, as I’m not as big on the romance genre as others, but my love always comes back to the tales of fright. I love a good creepy tale. Not an outright scare—I don’t believe that is possible—but the kind of creeping dread that works on you after you’ve finished the book, when you just can’t get the powerful scenes out of your head. It’s a safe fear and a safe adrenaline rush, and I love that.
CLF:Which among the books you have edited has left the strongest impression on you, and why?
Which among the books you have edited has left the strongest impression on you, and why?LB: The Forgotten Disturbed by T.L. Trevaskis: An absolutely beautiful book that will sweep you away. It is set in rural
The Forgotten Disturbed by T.L. Trevaskis: An absolutely beautiful book that will sweep you away. It is set in rural Germany and the forests left in Germany. You can smell the trees and you feel like you’re right in the country. The author’s prose is stunningly crafted.Frozen Blood by Joel A. Sutherland: Joel came to us with a raw manuscript he’d written on spec. He worked his tail off to make this book sparkle and never complained. I’m terrifically proud of him. He’s top in the Stoker Recs for Superior Achievement in a First Novel, and I’ve got my fingers crossed he makes the final ballot. This thriller is a tight little page turner with tension turned up so high you can feel it between the characters involved.The Infinite Instant by Danielle Parker: A great noir futuristic blend that is slick, smart, and a little bit cheeky. I had a great time editing it with Danielle, and it’s a fantastic blend of the old crime noir novels with futuristic elements that give it a quirky, instantly likeable tone, I found.CLF: What is it that makes a submission first stand out for you (i.e writing style, characters, prose, story…etc)?
What is it that makes a submission first stand out for you (i.e writing style, characters, prose, story…etc)? LB: Clean prose and an outstanding opening. If your opening is clunky and it drags, chances are I won’t be pulled in by
Clean prose and an outstanding opening. If your opening is clunky and it drags, chances are I won’t be pulled in by the book. If your opening sentence can intrigue me, and your opening paragraph pulls me in right away, you have a good chance of at least getting a request for a submission of your full manuscript. Character development is extremely important to me, also. If your characters don’t pull me in, if they come off as flat, I won’t be pulled into the book. Make your characters three dimensional, complex, realistic people. 
CLF:What do you most look for in book submissions?
What do you most look for in book submissions?LB: I like to see that you’ve followed our guidelines, first off. A short, cordial cover letter telling me a bit
I like to see that you’ve followed our guidelines, first off. A short, cordial cover letter telling me a bit about yourself and the manuscript is always nice. Mark the submission as such and please put the title of your book right in the header. Attached to the e-mail should be a marketing plan, a partial of three chapters and a synopsis. I love it when an author properly submits the packet we ask for, and everything is crisp and neat. Neatness and following guidelines is how you can make your first impression a good impression.After that, it’s the opening I look at and the marketing plan, which I then send over to the sales department and the publisher. If the opening hits me, and I read your partial and love it, you’re guaranteed at least a request for a full.CLF:Who is your favorite author, and why?
Who is your favorite author, and why?LB: My favorite author is Clive Barker. I found his work when I was a teen and his imagination and rich
My favorite author is Clive Barker. I found his work when I was a teen and his imagination and rich worlds influenced my young mind deeply. I wanted to created characters and worlds as lush and engrossing as those I found in his books. I still hold this goal. 