Mumsnet Talk

Bugger. The only perk I get is a free book.

I never knew I could get free sex

How many editors does it take to change a lightbulb?

Three. Two to hold the author down and one to screw in the bulb.

If I sleep with 1/2 of RH will they publish my book?

having not had sex for nearly 5 years this would go into the "perk" category for me.

How many proofreaders does it take to change a lightbulb?

None. They can't change the bulb; they can only query it.

actuwally am quite proud that I never did sleep with anyone there.

Have very rarely done stuff for Hutchinson, but I'm sure you're right!

LOL at thready's jokes.

KM - I think you'll have to sleep with a few agents first. Or even agents' assistants.

Thread, I am an editor's nightmare proofreader.

I change stuff

In ink

But only when I'm absolutely sure and even then I'm sure they hate me for it!

Sure thing. I'll work my way up the ladder.

Ahem. I used to work at Hutchinson, PW! We always used to joke that everybody works there at some stage... turns out to be true! Never slept with anyone else at RH. It was the done thing, though. Probably why I moved on.

Hmm, yes <serious face>, you must throw yourself squarely at agents, not publishers. I have seen the slush piles at publishers and there's stuff there going back decades.

oops. I'd like to completely and utterly retract everything

Ah, fencesitter, when I did work (like proper work, in an office, where you have to turn up, like, every day) it was over the 'other side' ...

PW, why?

oh god, don't worry - any suggestion that I had an exciting sex life hundreds of years ago is gratefully received

in case fencesitter does me for libel...

ah!

I miss the days when you could say what you want on the net.

Am wondering now who it was that you knew...

I'm now a freelance editor but will only take on work through publishers.

When you say the 'other side' do you mean up the stairs fencesitter?

As an aside can any of you tell me what is the copywriting process in UK or specifically Ireland?

If I want to protect my work that is.

PeatBog - do you mean 'upstairs' at RH in the hallowed literary halls? Or through the wall in the CHA area (now, I believe, smashed down to reveal all the Hutch staff asleep at their desks)?

cross-posted with 100x... think you meant peatbog. But same thought!

You mean copyright, as opposed to copywriting for ads etc?

In my experience (of writing and teaching), people stress too much about "copyrighting" ideas. They are paranoid that someone at a publishing house is going to steal their idea and pass it off as someone else's. This just doesn't happen.

KerryMum, you should have no worries about copyright. Just make sure you send the MS to established agents/publishers (see Writers and Artists Yearbook) and keep a copy and it'll be fine.

If you are published, the standard agreement you sign should cover you fairly. And any agent worth their salt will defend you from any weaselly publisher trying to get more than they should.