To the Stars

Ad Astra was a great time. Huge thanks to the programming coordinators for having me out, and to all the authors, editors and other attendees I met and spent time with. This is my first time in Toronto, and everyone’s made me feel right at home.

I learned some important lessons: don’t wear heels you’re not comfortable running up and down a flight of stairs in, carry both of your business cards and your name plate at all times, don’t be afraid to pause and write something down (because you’ll kick yourself when you can’t remember it later), and don’t expect anyone to remember a thing you’re saying to them if the hockey’s on in the bar.

One of the best lessons I learned was from Ken Lillie~Paetz: When you moderate a panel, half of it goes the way you planned, half of it doesn’t. But don’t worry about it, because the half that didn’t always ends up being even cooler than the half that did.

He was, needless to say, right.

I feel like I offered some important lessons, too. It was gratifying to be able to express things I’ve learned in my editing experience and watch people nod in strong agreement, or lower their heads to write down my advice. It was great to be able to reassure writers that em dashes do exist on their computers, and explain how to find them.

It was great to meet up with the brilliantly entertaining Dragon Moon Press author Erik Buchanan, to talk with him about the editing process, the marketing process, and how approachably ruthless I’m going to be on his next book; and also to spend time with people like David G Hartwell, Robert J Sawyer, Adrienne Kress and Lesley Livingston.

Most of all, it was great to have an opportunity to express to a room full of writers why I love what I do—why I choose to work with the enthusiasm of new writers, and with the small press structure that allows real rapport to develop between writer and editor. I’m Editor-in-Charge, but I’m also working with the authors, doing my share of the actual copyediting and substantive editing. That’s the fun of it for me: recognizing a rough gem and giving it the little tap here and there that guides it into the jewel that it can be.

I welcome correspondence, I’m available for freelance editorial work in addition to my position as Editor-in-Charge at Dragon Moon Press, and I’m happy to accept questions and answer them here on the blog.

I can also be found on Facebook and LinkedIn as Gabrielle Harbowy, and on Twitter as gabrielle_h, but I like to receive at least an introduction and know who you are before I link back.

Tagged as: ad astra, authors, contact information, conventions