Showing posts with label Anita Mumm. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Anita Mumm. Show all posts

Thursday, March 17, 2022

Anita Mumm @ Mumm's the Word Editing


white background with purple butterflies in flight along the left side, top image is an outline of a butterfly and the words Mumm's the Word Editorial Services and below to the right is the audiobook cover for The Mars Strain, Recordedbooks red with an image of the Red Planet in the background.


My favorite book-adjacent creative is hands down Anita Mumm at Mumm’s the Word Editing


Anita was my editor for The Mars Strain before it became the amazing audiobook it is today. Which of course means any and all typos or mistakes are MINE, because I was the last eyes on my manuscript before it was submitted to Recorded Books. 


If you’re looking for an editor to do deep edits, line edits, help with a query letter, or agent search consulting—check out Anita. I’ve mentioned this before, but the get to know you form she has you fill out has excellent questions and she really takes the time to understand your expectations before she will begin. 


Did I mention she has a great brain for finding plot holes and a knack for kickstarting your brain into storm mode? And on top of all of those skills, she’s a lovely person. 


Curious if she works with your genre? Here’s her list:


COMMERCIAL FICTION

LITERARY FICTION

WOMEN'S FICTION

ROMANCE

SCI-FI / FANTASY

MEMOIR

NONFICTION

YOUNG ADULT

MIDDLE GRADE

SHORT STORIES & ESSAYS


Find her at her website anitamumm.com

Thursday, January 13, 2022

Contractor Best Practices

 

Audiobook cover of The Mars Strain with Recorded Books red bands at top and bottom, image of the Red Planet in the background surrounded by virus-like organisms and the title in red.

Contractor Best Practices—working with a 3rd party in support of your book. 

I’m an unpublished writer, I have nothing out in print, yet. But if you’re in the midst of the publishing process, or about to begin, check out James’ post about collaboration (a great mindset to have going into the process), and Charissa’s post about communication (she’s got great insight having been on both sides of the table), and see KAK’s post with a helpful list of questions. And if you’re gearing up to start, Jeffe shared her favorite contractors


My production experience with The Mars Strain began with a free lance editor I hired. Recorded Books, who produced TMS, did not include any editing in their offer and I knew I wanted to turn out as polished a piece as possible and so I hired Anita Mumm with Mumm’s the Word Editing


Anita, with her years of editing experience, was a perfect fit for newbie me. She starts out each project with a questionnaire so she knows exactly what my expectations and desires are. She provided a timeline, for both of our parts, and concludes with a phone call to ensure there aren’t any lingering questions. I can’t recommend her services enough! 


Note that any errors in The Mars Strain are all mine as I had the last look before turn in date. Which leads me to the second half of audiobook production—I’m certain others’ experiences vary widely, but this is mine.


Recorded Books did a fabulous job, but all I can take credit for are the words. Communications went through the audio rights agent at the literary agency I was signed with. She passed along the turn in date for my final draft and when it was done, she shared the cover art which was more of a courtesy and not looking for input. And then Recorded released The Mars Strain in April! 


Communication: I did request that RB list the audiobook early for pre-orders and their reply was that it would release on release day. Then the lovely Charissa found it online for pre-order and gave me the heads up, which was wonderful—only I’d already shifted from pre-order marketing plans to release day plans. So it’s true, communication is key! 


Wherever you are in your writing journey, I hope you keep moving forward!