In this episode of Way-Word Writers, hosts Heather Cashman, Stephanie Bearce, and Nicki Jacobsmeyer sit down with Sara Schonfeld, a senior editor at Harper Collins, to discuss the parallels between publishing and dating. Sara delves into her process of finding ‘the one’ manuscript, what she looks for in submissions, and how she balances personal taste with market demands. She shares her proudest moments, handling rejection, and offers insight and advice for both aspiring and established authors. This engaging conversation is filled with humor, relatable anecdotes, and practical tips for navigating the publishing world.

00:00 Welcome to Way-Word Writers

00:31 Introducing Sara Schonfeld from Harper Collins

01:07 The Publishing Meet Cute

03:12 What Editors Look For in Submissions

08:32 Handling Rejections and Ghosting

10:58 The Editing Process and Author Calls

18:46 Dealing with Breakups and Cancellations

20:04 Silver Medalist Syndrome

21:01 Rejection in the Publishing Industry

21:18 Breakup Rituals and Sad Playlists

22:13 Dating and Book Comparisons

22:53 Balancing Personal Taste and Market Pressures

28:37 Proudest Author Relationships

31:00 Lightning Dating Round

33:08 Advice for Authors and the Future of Publishing

34:41 Conclusion and Farewell

F​ind out more about Sara Schonfeld here!

For a deeper dive into first pages and how to make an editor or agent fall in love, see our Episode 91 Deep Dive post here!

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