Editorial Track

Track Leader: Todd Hafer, Senior Editorial Director, Hallmark Books

According to Time magazine, Americans read half as many books in 2005 as they did in 1999 (10 books vs. 5 books). In an age of competing media and short attention spans, what can editors do to preserve and even grow the book's potential as a viable source of enrichment, enlightenment, and entertainment? The Editorial Track will bring a combination of fresh voices and seasoned publishing veterans to explore this question, and many others.

Sessions:

• What We Wish Editors Knew about Authors
  Author panel: Dave and Neta Jackson, Jane Rubietta, Todd Hafer
  Moderated by: Beth Jusino, Literary Agent, Alive Communications
  
  Todd Hafer will focus on the importance of editors establishing credibility with authors by being aware of contemporary culture and having a solid background in literature. He will also touch on editing by formula vs. editing with an eye toward communicating effectively and compellingly.
  
  Dave Jackson will talk about the need for assistance/guidance from editors on matters of copyright and fair use as there is some conflicting information on how much a writer can draw from previously published works -- and for what purposes.
  
  Neta Jackson will discuss language and how to encourage publishers to tolerate a little more realism in the way non-churched people speak. The question is, can Christian authors write in ways nonbelievers will receive as authentic?
  
  
• Acquiring/Editing Books for Readers beyond the Church / or in the Emergent Church
  Sarah Mueller, author and writer, Hallmark Cards
  Sarah Mueller, whose job at Hallmark Cards, Inc. includes creating faith-based products for audiences not plugged into the traditional CBA world, will talk about the ideas, topics, and language that resonates with the non-churched and those from emergent churches.
  
  
• Working with Literary Agents: an Agent's View of Today's Publishing World
  Steve Laube, Literary Agent, The Steve Laube Agency
  Ever wonder what today's leading literary agents wish editors knew and understood about authors, the creative process, and the agenting business? Steve Laube, whose agency represents dozens of authors, including Judith Pella, Karen Linamen, Allison Bottke, and John Fischer, will share his insights -- also drawing from his experiences as a leading CBA retailer and an editorial director at Bethany House Publishers.
  
  
• The Basics: Do They Still Matter?
  Todd Hafer, Senior Editorial Director, Hallmark Books
  In this age of text messages, emails, and barely literate blogs, does anyone care about grammar, punctuation, capitalization, and spelling anymore? Todd Hafer, a senior editorial director at Hallmark and author of more than 30 books, will tell you why you should.
  
  
• Creating Books for Non-Readers
  Beth Jusino, Literary Agent, Alive Communications
  Literary agent Beth Jusino will share what her most creative authors are doing to capture the eyes, minds, and hearts of a media-saturated generation that no longer sees reading books as a go-to option for entertainment, inspiration, and enlightenment.
  
  

Todd Hafer	Dave and Neta Jackson	Jane Rubietta
Beth Jusino	Steve Laube	Sarah Mueller