This year I was honored to be on the faculty of The Word Guild's annual Write!Canada writer's conference in Guelph, Ontario--five hours due east of my house. This was my first time attending a writer's conference as a freelance editor instead of an in-house acquisitions editor, and the difference might seem subtle but it is important. Before, my take on your manuscript was important for how I could make all your publishing dreams come true; now, I'm just a guy with an opinion. I agreed to come and meet with writers, but I really didn't expect for too many of the writers there to waste their time with an opinionated powerless guy. But from previous experience, I knew that the Canadian writers who attend the conference are usually fun, quirky folks who kindly chuckled at my international traveler persona, so I looked forward to the experience.

I wasn't disappointed; the conference was great, and I had many good conversations about the Christian book industry, about self-publishing and indie publishing and the difference between them, and about books and writing in general. I had dozens of one-on-one appointments where I met with aspiring writers and discussed their work with them, both on quality of craft and viability in the marketplace.

And I feel like I learned something on behalf of the aspiring writer: freelance editors offer a unique and vital perspective on your work.

Since I wasn't representing a publishing house, I had the freedom to tell authors exactly how I perceived the level of their craft and their market viability without bias. In-house acquisitions editors have to deal with the fact that market viability often trumps craft, so they have to praise something that is amateurish because it will sell, or turn down something well-written because it's too risky in the marketplace. They have to focus on a manuscript and whether or not it is right for their house; but a freelance editor is focused on the person and dedicated to helping them become a better writer. I found liberating freedom in being able to help writers outside of the confines of the publishing race. And I think the writers found freedom in being validated--or challenged--by someone with experience in the process but who could be invested in them as writers instead of as commodities.

Dozens of writers got the equivalent of an introductory critique from TED simply by sitting across from me at a table and spending fifteen minutes discussing their work, or cornering me at a meal or in the main gathering room. And several writers I talked to made my list of people who I think need to be published, and while I might not have the power to acquire, through TED I do have the ability to assist in the journey in many different ways. With independent publishing on the rise, more writers need to see that the editorial process is for their own benefit, and can help make sure even the self-published book has the best chance of success.

I think we need more writers conferences that give their attendees the opportunity to speak with experienced editorial professionals about their writing without the slant that comes from working at a publishing house. When I was in-house, I had several favorite conferences for writers I enjoyed attending, the first of which was ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers). I'd like to see more conference invitations in my email inbox, not just for me, but for the writers out there who are struggling in the midst of a risk-adverse industry who need someone to come alongside and say, "Don't give up. I see your potential and I challenge you to meet it, and let the publishing world catch up to you."

*****

Andy Meisenheimer is a freelance editor who previously worked for Zondervan, Harper Collins' Christian imprint. He loves books that bridge the gap between pop and literary, or any smartly-written genre blend.