Hey, folks, it’s time to ask the editor!

I’ve compiled a list of questions and the lovely Abigail Fenton, Editorial Director at HarperCollins, HQ Digital, has answered them. Read on to find out more about the work of, and some top tips from, one of the best editors in the business!

This month’s question is…Editing is detailed, time consuming work, how do you stay focused?

Abi says:

I like to block out a solid chunk of time and get away from my desk, whether that’s working from home or finding a spare meeting room to go and sit in. I need complete silence, which is tricky in an open-plan office!

Thanks Abi!

Though with Covid, everything is being done from home now! I think Abie gives us some great tips here! Quiet is always helpful! I find trying to edit when my kids are off school is almost impossible! And blocking out time when you won’t be disturbed by other things is good advice.

Can you work in silence or do you need music? Do you prefer to edit in small chunks or go through until it’s all done? Let me know in the comments below!

Thank you so much to Abi for taking the time to answer my questions. Her workload (as you can imagine!) is CRAY-ZEE! So I’m so grateful to her for humouring me and my blog!

Abi is Editorial Director, HQ at HarperCollins and before that was Commissioning Editor at Bookouture.

Cover photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash