Greetings from your Wisdom House Books editorial director!
 
I'm glad you are taking the time to peruse each page of our Web site. You will find information here that may surprise you about book publishing. I have been an editor for over ten years, and I love working for Wisdom House Books. I came here after working for several publishers, an ad agency, a monthly journal, and  three junior colleges. I've edited textbooks, instruction manuals, novels, and self-help and spiritual books of every kind. I write, edit, and proofread depending on each individual author's needs, and if I'm not editing your book, I will be supervising the editing and acting as the project manager. We work as a team to ensure that your book is professionally produced from start to finish.
 
You may be wondering, "Why do I need a book editor if someone who is great with grammar has already gone over my book?"
 
Good question!  Here are just a few reasons:
 
  • Book editors are knowledgeable about the Chicago Manual of Style, the industry standard for published books. We know how many spaces go after a period (one), whether to use a serial comma (yes), and when to capitalize job titles (almost never).  At Wisdom House Books, our editors have to pass a proficiency test on the Chicago Manual of Style. (English teachers and grammarians often score poorly on this test.)
  • Book editors know what publishers are looking for in terms of organization, style, and length of a book. An English teacher isn't an industry insider, and he/she just can't give the advice a book editor can.
  • Book editors can help you mold your book into something you'll be proud to show colleagues, friends, family, and the public. The last thing you want is a book that screams "self-published!" A good book editor knows the proper flow and organization of chapters, paragraphs, and sentences. Working with you to maintain your message and voice, a good book editor will make sure your book is as professional as you are and that it is ready for bookstores, book signings, and back-of-the room sales.
 
Almost every author I have met has told me that his or her book does not need editing . . . and so far, without exception, the author has been . . . well . . . wrong. I have never seen a book submission that did not need to be edited. (Shhh . . . I'll tell you a little secret. Even editors need editing!)  Every book needs professional editing. It's just a publishing reality. Let me prove it to you by allowing me to edit a sample page from your book at no charge to you, and you can see how I can improve your writing without changing your voice or message. You will be amazed.
 
At Wisdom House Books, we're so serious about the importance of editing that we will not publish a book unless we edit it first, even if that means losing business. But most authors respect our dedication to quality and understand that our reputation is on the line with theirs. That's why my team and I are here to help you publish the best book possible. While we are human, and we cannot guarantee a book that is without a single flaw, we CAN promise you that our editors and proofreaders do our best to ensure that your manuscript comes as close to perfect as possible before it goes into design. Doesn't that sound like the kind of assurance you are looking for in a publisher?
 
I hope you will give us a call and discuss your publishing needs with us today. We look forward to adding your book to our Wisdom House Books library.
 
 
 
Happy writing!
 
Deanne Lachner, Editorial Director
Wisdom House Books
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Meet Deanne Lachner,
Wisdom House Books Editorial Director
"Even editors need editing!"
"Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail."
--Ralph Waldo Emerson
 
 
"We are each of us angels with only one wing, and we can only fly by embracing one another."
--Luciano de Crescenzo
 
 
"The most exciting phrase to hear in science, the one that heralds new discoveries, is not 'Eureka!' (I found it!) but 'That's funny . . .'"
--Isaac Asimov
 
 
"When the only tool you own is a hammer, every problem begins to resemble a nail."
--Abraham Maslow
 
 
 
"I find television very educating. Every time somebody turns on the set, I go into the other room and read a book."
--Groucho Marx
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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