Two Editors Who Changed Publishing
Digest
This episode of The Bookcase delves into the world of book editing, offering a glimpse into the often-unsung heroes of the publishing industry. The episode features two prominent editors: Judith Jones, the subject of Sarah Franklin's book "The Editor," and Beverly Horowitz, a veteran editor retiring after 50 years. Sarah Franklin discusses Judith Jones's remarkable career, highlighting her role in bringing iconic works like "Mastering the Art of French Cooking" and Anne Frank's diary to American audiences. The conversation reveals Judith Jones's unique ability to anticipate cultural trends and her dedication to nurturing authors' voices. Beverly Horowitz shares her insights on the joys and challenges of editing, emphasizing the importance of being a curious reader and understanding the bigger picture of a story. She also reflects on the enduring power of books, particularly for children, and the importance of finding the right story to tell. The episode concludes with a discussion about the evolving relationship between editors and authors, highlighting the importance of trust, communication, and the ability to disappear entirely into the service of the author's vision.
Outlines
Introduction
This Chapter introduces the episode's theme: a behind-the-scenes look at the book business. The hosts, Kate Gibson and Charlie Gibson, introduce the concept of "book nerds" and their interest in how the book industry works. They also introduce the two editors who will be featured in the episode: Sarah Franklin and Beverly Horowitz.
Sarah Franklin on Judith Jones
This Chapter focuses on Sarah Franklin's book "The Editor," which tells the story of Judith Jones, a legendary book editor. Franklin discusses Jones's impact on American culture through her work with authors like Julia Child, John Updike, and Sylvia Plath. She highlights Jones's ability to identify and nurture talent, her unique perspective on literary form, and her dedication to her authors. The chapter also explores the challenges Jones faced as a woman in a male-dominated industry.
Beverly Horowitz on Children's Books
This Chapter features an interview with Beverly Horowitz, a retiring editor with 50 years of experience in children's books. Horowitz discusses her love for editing and her belief in the enduring power of books, particularly for children. She shares her insights on the importance of being a curious reader, understanding the bigger picture of a story, and the art of collaborating with authors. The chapter also explores the challenges of navigating the business side of publishing and the importance of finding the right story to tell.
Keywords
Judith Jones
Judith Jones was a legendary American book editor who worked for Alfred A. Knopf, Inc. for over 50 years. She is known for her work with authors like Julia Child, John Updike, and Sylvia Plath. Jones was a pioneer in the field of book editing, and her work helped to shape the literary landscape of the 20th century. She was also a strong advocate for women in publishing and a champion of diverse voices.
Sarah Franklin
Sarah Franklin is an American writer and editor. She is the author of "The Editor," a biography of Judith Jones. Franklin is also a contributing editor at The New York Times Magazine and has written for publications such as The New Yorker, The Atlantic, and The Paris Review. She is a graduate of Tufts University and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.
Beverly Horowitz
Beverly Horowitz is a veteran American book editor who has worked in children's publishing for over 50 years. She is known for her work with authors like S.E. Hinton, Judy Blume, and Lois Lowry. Horowitz is a respected figure in the children's book industry and has been a champion of diverse voices and stories. She is also a passionate advocate for the power of reading and its ability to shape young minds.
Book Editing
Book editing is the process of preparing a manuscript for publication. It involves working with authors to improve the clarity, structure, and style of their writing. Editors also play a role in selecting books for publication, developing marketing strategies, and managing the production process. Book editors are essential to the publishing industry, and their work helps to ensure that high-quality books reach readers.
The Editor
The Editor is a biography of Judith Jones, a legendary book editor, written by Sarah Franklin. The book tells the story of Jones's remarkable career, her impact on American culture, and her dedication to her authors. It is a fascinating look at the world of book editing and the power of a single person to shape the literary landscape.
Children's Books
Children's books are books written for children. They can be fiction or nonfiction, and they cover a wide range of topics, from fairy tales to science. Children's books play an important role in the development of children's literacy skills, imagination, and understanding of the world. They can also provide comfort, entertainment, and inspiration.
Q&A
What are some of the key qualities of a successful book editor?
According to Sarah Franklin and Beverly Horowitz, successful book editors are curious readers, able to identify and nurture talent, understand the bigger picture of a story, and collaborate effectively with authors. They also need to be able to navigate the business side of publishing and have a strong sense of what will resonate with readers.
How has the relationship between editors and authors changed over time?
The episode highlights the shift from letter-writing to instant communication, which has both advantages and disadvantages. While instant communication allows for faster feedback and collaboration, it can also make it more difficult to maintain a sense of distance and objectivity. Both Judith Jones and Beverly Horowitz are masters of communication in their respective eras, demonstrating the adaptability required in this field.
What is the enduring power of books, particularly for children?
Beverly Horowitz emphasizes the lasting impact of books, especially those read in childhood. She believes that books can shape our lives, provide comfort and inspiration, and stay with us long after we've finished reading them. This underscores the importance of children's books in fostering literacy, imagination, and a love of reading.
What are some of the challenges faced by book editors?
The episode highlights the challenges of navigating the business side of publishing, balancing creative vision with commercial success, and dealing with the sometimes-contentious relationship between editors and authors. It also touches on the challenges of being a woman in a male-dominated industry, as experienced by Judith Jones.
What is the significance of Judith Jones's work?
Judith Jones's work had a profound impact on American culture, bringing iconic works like "Mastering the Art of French Cooking" and Anne Frank's diary to American audiences. She was a pioneer in the field of book editing, and her work helped to shape the literary landscape of the 20th century. Her ability to anticipate cultural trends and nurture authors' voices made her a true force in the publishing world.
Show Notes
Today we have a book that helped us to lift the curtain on the inner workings of the book business. The Editor by Sara B. Franklin tells us the story of Judith Jones, the game changing editor who changed the publishing business at a time where women weren't in the publishing business. Judith helped shape literature and change publishing, and so we pair her with one of our current favorite editors who has just announced her retirement, Beverly Horowitz. Beverly has been in the business for 50 years and has worked with everyone from Judy Blume to E. Lockhart. Join us for a wonderful insiders look at the business that sustains our minds and hearts.
Books mentioned in this week's episode:
- The Editor by Sara B. Franklin
- Edna Lewis: At the Table with an American Original by Sara B. Franklin
- The Phoenicia Diner Cookbook: Dishes and Dispatches from the Catskill Mountains by Sara B. Franklin
- The Colossus and Other Poems by Sylvia Plath
- Mastering the Art of French Cooking by Julia Child, Louisette Bertholle, Simone Beck
- The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank
- The Tenth Muse: My Life in Food by Judith Jones
- Rabbit, Run by John Updike
- Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant by Anne Tyler
- The Living Mountain: A Celebration of the Cairngorm Mountains of Scotland (Canons) by Nan Shepherd
- We Were Liars by E. Lockhart
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