Finding a Tech-Friendly Novel Editor?

Brian J. asks: "I've recently completed a manuscript for a novel that depicts a heist involving elements of the Information Technology industry. Basically, a quartet of laid-off technology workers think they're going to get revenge against their former employer, but it doesn't work out that way. I was wondering if Slashdot knew of author's agents or editorial staff at publishers who have an affinity for technology, especially technology fiction, to whom I could send a query letter."

Comments

Two Possibilities

[Sunlighter]

There are two possibilities.

(1) Your book is so technical that the layperson wouldn't understand it. That would mean that you really do need a technical editor and/or agent. However, your book will be harder to sell to publishers anyway because its audience will be limited to technical people.

(2) Your book, although it contains technical elements, would really be accessible to anyone. In that case, you don't really need a technical agent; you can use any agent. Such an agent might not be able to critique your technical accuracy, but if you can get the technical stuff right on your own, then it should be an added plus for readers who understand it.

The only difference between these types of books is that the latter explains things. A book for a general audience can still use technical language, but it makes it extra-clear whether a technical event is good or bad for the characters, and why.

I'd recommend going for the larger audience. Go over your manuscript pretending to be a non-technical reader. See if a non-technical reader can at least tell what the important plot events are. (If something bad happens, can the reader at least tell it's bad, or is it something that only a technical professional would realize is bad?) Find some non-technical people you know, and let them read the book, asking them if they find it interesting -- if they find your book boring, they are probably passing over technical stuff uncomprehendingly, and missing the main events.

If your book is targeted for a wide audience, you won't need any special technical skills on the part of your agent or your editor, and, besides, the book will sell better.

Useful Resources for Writers

[Kent Brewster]

I like the advice about looking at the agents who handle books like yours. You may also find the following Web sites of use:

Speculations has a ton of good advice, and don't miss The Rumor Mill, especially the Caveat Scrivener sections.

SFWA, the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America. If you know anybody in SFWA, ask to look in the back of the directory at the list of agents representing members.

SFF.net, which hosts most of SFWA's online conversation in newsgroups.

Preditors & Editors is another outstanding resource; if you have any doubts about whether your agent, editor, or publisher is on the level or not, go poke around there.

This is more or less proven to work.

[localroger]

I have done the experiment and written up the results here.

I must admit that I got a hell of a lot of help editing the thing for typos and some decent editorial advice from the effort. As well as just over $1,000 up to now.

I have yet to accomplish the "get rich" part, am still working on the "get a good agent" step. That is looking at least slightly more do-able than it would have been before I put the book online.