Even though she didn’t know it, Jen Ryan has been editing since she was a young girl. Much to the chagrin of her teachers, she’d often point out errors in her textbooks. Combining that sharp eye for detail with her love of books and the skills she learned through her formal education, Jen took it to the next level. She has established herself as an exacting editor, with a growing reputation for excellence.
Jen teaches English composition and writing at her local college. She also owns and runs her own editing company, in addition to being one of two partners in Ellysian Press.
Jen lives in the high desert of Southern Nevada with her husband, three children and assorted animals. She loves transforming fruit and vegetables into healthy (and sometimes decadent) jams, jellies and preserves. Her pumpkin butter is to die for.

You can find her editing website here: http://imaginethatediting.com/.
The Ellysian Press website is: http://www.ellysianpress.com/.
You can also follow Jen on social media:
Jen on Facebook
Jen on Twitter

1. How did you decide to become an editor?

I have always been an avid reader, and would naturally edit as I read (even text books in high school, my teachers hated it when I pointed out errors). So, when a friend, an author and fellow instructor at the college I teach at, asked me to Beta-Read for her, I accepted. She came back to me after and said something along the lines of “Jen, that’s not Beta-Reading, that’s editing.” I laughed and told her I couldn’t do the job half-way, it just wasn’t in me. I then edited her next novel, and the next, and pretty soon decided to start editing for others. As time went on, I learned even more and eventually decided to open my own free-lance editing company. Now I also am partner in Ellysian Press (Maer, my author friend, just happens to be my brilliant partner), and I get to edit for some amazing, talented authors. I love every minute of it!

2. What are some of your favorite YA/children’s books?

While at EP we don’t publish children’s books, we do publish YA. As for personal taste, however, I read everything, and love many children’s and middle grade books/series. My favorite is the Harry Potter series. I promise that’s not just an easy out, it truly is my favorite book series (maybe in any age group). 

3. What is more important: character, plot, or world? 

This is a really tough question, a good one, but a tough one. I imagine every person who answers it has a different response, and I think that is the point. This will be different for every person — author, editor and reader alike. Personally, I think they are all very important. What point is there in creating a wondrous world, if it is populated by uninteresting characters? I do believe that the main importance will depend on each author, and each book. Different genres and stories will need different things. So for one story character may be MOST important, while for another it may be plot or world. It will depend on the point of each particular story.

4. What’s your favorite part of being an editor?

That’s easy, reading! Really, I truly enjoy getting to be a part of the process. I love books, I love authors, I love stories, and I love getting to help authors make their stories the best they can be. 

5. What would you like aspiring writers to know about the publication process?

The best advice I can give to aspiring authors is to do their research. Before you submit to an editor or a publishing company, make sure you have researched your market. Make sure you have learned how to write a proper query letter. Make sure you know what you want (do you want to self-publish, do you want to go with a small press, a large one?) Research and know so that you are prepared and so that you don’t get hurt along the way.