Interview with the Publisher Pt. 3

• What made you decide to publish Creatures of Habit independently rather than pursue a traditional path?

I didn’t want to wait for industry insiders to validate my writing or this novel. Though I briefly explored that route at your suggestion, I had little desire to spend months querying literary agents. That path would have required more time and patience than I was willing to give. I believe this novel is ready to move, and I’m ready to let it.

• What led you to choose Current Words Publishing for this book?

Before meeting Dave, I had spent months speaking with various editors. What I found was that many of their approaches felt both invasive and expensive. From our first meeting, I knew I wanted Current Words to edit my novel. I was so satisfied with the service that it felt only natural to hire you both to publish it as well.

• Before working with a professional editor, what did you think the editing process would be like?

I wasn’t sure what to expect, honestly. What I found, however, was a highly collaborative experience that truly enhanced the novel.

• What surprised you most about being edited?

I didn’t expect to enjoy it as much as I did. I found myself eagerly anticipating each new batch of edits. I also came to appreciate the process itself—the rhythm we settled into by the middle of it all.

• Was there a specific piece of feedback that significantly changed the manuscript for the better?

I think the most valuable thing your editing provided was the experience of having done this before. There were several things I hadn’t considered and wouldn’t have known to think about. One example that comes to mind is the issue of incorporating song lyrics into the prose, which in retrospect makes a lot of sense given copyright laws and the complications surrounding them.

• How did the editorial process affect your confidence as a writer?

It definitely elevated my confidence, which I think is a credit to your skill. For over a year, Creatures of Habit was a project that had only one pair of eyes on it. There’s always a sense of doubt when you finally expose a piece to a brand-new set of eyes, but throughout the process you consistently identified its strengths and weaknesses with the utmost professionalism.

• Did the editing “push” you? If so, how did that help the book?

It nudged me past any remaining boundaries, pushing aside any ego and focusing solely on improving the project. Writers can often feel married to the words they wrote in their rough draft, but this is a notion that must be dropped if you want your work to reach another level.

• How would you describe the balance between preserving your voice and strengthening the work?

This is certainly a balance that concerns many writers. I believe we found a good rhythm by the third batch. Whenever you made a suggestion or pointed out that a certain phrasing might be off, it prompted me to sit with those words and consider how they could be improved or crafted more effectively for a wider audience.

• For writers who are hesitant about professional editing, what would you tell them?

I would tell them that it is a necessary part of the process. All the greats have had their work edited by someone. Whether publishing independently or traditionally, getting professional editing is essentially mandatory.

• Now that the book is out in the world, how do you feel about the journey from draft to published novel?

It is a long and arduous process, but like anything else in life, good things come to those who wait. It takes a certain amount of patience, but it is very worth it in the end. I hope that with more experience, the second book will move a little more quickly.

• What would be the best piece of feedback you could get from a reader?

The best thing a reader could tell me is that the ending stayed with them long after they finished the book—that the story struck them profoundly and brought about an introspection they didn’t expect.

• Have any of your friends or family read the book? What was it like to share your creative pursuit with them?

My father read the book, which turned out to be an emotional experience for both of us. He hadn’t read much of my work before, and even then, my short stories weren’t nearly as ambitious as this novel, so he was surprised. The best thing he told me was that there were moments when he forgot it was his son’s book entirely and was just a reader, lost in the story.

• Is there a character you think might have a little of you in him/her? If so, which one, and why?

There are aspects of Yovanni’s life that echo my own. Some of his journal entries about his mother closely reflect experiences I had earlier in life. Beyond that, there’s nothing in the characters that is uniquely mine. My hope is that the day-to-day experiences these characters go through will resonate with most readers.

• There were characters in the story who had real challenges in life that affected their choices, not the choices they made as much as the choices available to them. Do you ever see that struggle in your students? What advice would you give them?

I have seen some of my students struggle with this. When they confide in me, I do my best to offer very specific guidance. I try to instill the attitude that anything is possible and that circumstances can always change. I provide as many relatable examples as I can of others who have faced similar challenges and come through successfully. I also make it clear that I am always here as a resource, whether it’s helping them navigate school options, lending an ear, or offering support in any way I can.

• Would you like your students to read your book? How about colleagues? Why or why not?

I would prefer that my students not read the novel, at least not until they’ve graduated, as it is a work for adults and contains many mature themes and language. That said, I would absolutely love for my colleagues to read it, and I hope they reach out with questions about the text. Some of my coworkers in the English department have even asked if I could come in for a book-club-style discussion, which is really exciting to me.

If you’re interested in editing, publishing, or similar services, visit https://currentwords.com/. I highly recommend them!

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