Acquisitions Editor at TOR

Andre_Laurent · 09-30-2007, 10:22 PM

Does anyone know who the acquisitions editor for SF/Fantasy is at TOR? I've Googled, Yahooed, hunted through blogs, and I can't put a name with the title. I don't want to use the dreaded...Dear Editor...how crappy is that?

dclary · 09-30-2007, 10:34 PM

He won't take it personally. Seriously. Just query.

Or call the front office and ask.

Medievalist · 09-30-2007, 10:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andre_Laurent

Does anyone know who the acquisitions editor for SF/Fantasy is at TOR? I've Googled, Yahooed, hunted through blogs, and I can't put a name with the title. I don't want to use the dreaded...Dear Editor...how crappy is that?

Don't worry about it. Just follow the Guidelines, and make sure that SF Acquisitions is very very clearly visible on the envelope.

You might find this old AW thread worth looking at too.

badducky · 09-30-2007, 11:13 PM

Tor has bought approximately ten projects from their slush pile in the history of the imprint, last I heard. And, they get approximately a billion slush queries a months

If you want to find an editor, find books kind of like yours on the bookshelf, and see who their editors and agetns are. Look in the acknowledgements page. You'll find 'em.

Thump · 09-30-2007, 11:17 PM

I wish it were me :P I wanna be an editor (or agent, either is fine by me) and editing SF would be the ultimate dream come true >__<

I'm graduating in december if anyone wants me (hinthint

)

I second the advice to go for an agent.

Medievalist · 09-30-2007, 11:25 PM

Thump, if you're serious, look into an internship. It's a good way to get both feet in the door. Most publishers have 'em and Tor's is especially well thought of.

Andre_Laurent · 10-01-2007, 01:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by badducky

Tor has bought approximately ten projects from their slush pile in the history of the imprint, last I heard. And, they get approximately a billion slush queries a months

If you want to find an editor, find books kind of like yours on the bookshelf, and see who their editors and agetns are. Look in the acknowledgements page. You'll find 'em.

Gawd, that's pretty crappy...maybe I better stick with the agent hunting thang.... My lazy ass hates agent hunting, LOL.

oscuridad · 10-01-2007, 01:49 AM

Its a husband and wife team - hayden something. They have a blog - I'll see if I can find a link.

oscuridad · 10-01-2007, 01:52 AM

here's a link to their website, which contains a link to their blog 'making light':

http://nielsenhayden.com/

Medievalist · 10-01-2007, 02:07 AM

No, the SF acquistions editor at Tor is not the Nielsen Haydens. It really isn't.

PNH is the head of the SF division. TNH now works at Federated Media.

Follow the guidelines; really. I am speaking wisdom here.

When an unsolicited ms. comes in, an editorial asst. logs it, looks at the front to see where it goes, and it's distributed. It's generally not going to go right to the acquisitions editor; usually someone does a general perusal and QA check, first.

oscuridad · 10-01-2007, 02:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Medievalist

No, the SF acquistions editor at Tor is not the Nielsen Haydens. It really isn't.

PNH is the head of the SF division. TNH now works at Federated Media.

Follow the guidelines; really. I am speaking wisdom here.

Interesting - I don't doubt you for a moment. Wonder how many orphans they left behind when they moved?

Medievalist · 10-01-2007, 02:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oscuridad

Interesting - I don't doubt you for a moment. Wonder how many orphans they left behind when they moved?

Errr . . . .they haven't moved. There are no orphans. TNH has a new job, but she's been consulting at Tor for a while; PNH still heads SF. And edits. Won the Editor Hugo this year. Also has created some of the best SF anthologies, ever.

badducky · 10-01-2007, 04:45 AM

If you want to know who is buying things at what imprint, sign up for Publisher's Lunch. They have a free version that's still very informative.

There are many different kinds of "editor" at different imprints, and it is important to send things to the right one. If you want to find an editor or an agent, go to your bookshelf at the books that are kind of like your in style and demographic, and read the acknowledgments page. Targeting an "acquisitions editor" is not nearly as useful as targeting "the editor who bought the project by that other new-ish author who has kind of the same tone/sense of humor as me."

Finding an agent first is a good idea, if you can swing it.

Be sure to check any potential agents with Writer Beware, Preditors and Editors, and our own Bewares and Background check board. Just because someone is listed as okay once, doesn't mean that status stays the same throughout all time. Things change, after all. Evidence gathers.

Doodlebug · 10-01-2007, 06:37 AM

About a year ago, I querried TOR (both the regular and the paranormal divisions), and I was told that they no longer take unsolicited ms. Unless someone else knows differently, I'd say you need an agent. (But, for your sake, I sure hope I'm wrong!!)

Medievalist · 10-01-2007, 06:47 AM

The Tor web site says they still take open submissions.

Doodlebug · 10-01-2007, 06:49 AM

Okay, well that's good!

Not too many of those publishers left.

Doodlebug · 10-02-2007, 02:10 AM

According to http://www.ralan.com/ the senior editor at TOR is Melissa Ann Singer. Probably this is not the same as the acquisitions editor, but I guess if nothing else, it is a name

Medievalist · 10-02-2007, 02:27 AM

Melissa Ann Singer is an AW member; see this thread.

Deirdre · 10-02-2007, 02:28 AM

Tor has a number of editors for different lines. For example, if you write paranormal romance, there is a separate set of editors. Thus, I would address it the way the FAQ says unless a specific editor has already requested it.

Witanowski · 01-28-2009, 07:49 AM

I too would be interested to know who the acquisitions editor(s) is/are at Tor...

Smiling Ted · 01-28-2009, 08:26 AM

Here's a list of editors at Tor.
It's in my notes, but what's NOT in my notes is how old this list is, or where I found it.
In other words, caveat lector.

Claire Eddy
Moshe Feder
James Frenkel
Anna Genoese
Liz Gorinsky
Robert Gleason
David G. Hartwell
Harriet McDougal
Beth Meacham
Patrick Nielsen Hayden
Teresa Nielsen Hayden
Eric Raab
Paul Stevens

waylander · 01-28-2009, 01:55 PM

Anna Genoese is no longer with Tor

Diana Hignutt · 01-28-2009, 03:50 PM

I was invited to submit to them over two and a half years ago (when TNH still was there full time) and haven't heard a peep. Be prepared to be patient.

Mr Flibble · 01-28-2009, 04:23 PM

Behold the Tor slush pile

And that's just a small part of it. Edmund Hilary would blanch at climbing it.

Smiling Ted · 01-28-2009, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Diana Hignutt

I was inviting to submit to them over two and a half years ago (when TNH still was there full time) and haven't heard a peep. Be prepared to be patient.

It's pretty much the same situation at Baen.
Having an agent cuts through the queue more quickly, but I'm impressed that both houses even make the attempt.

09-30-2007, 10:22 PM	#1
Andre_Laurent practical experience, FTW Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Behind you... with a big stick. Posts: 840	Acquisitions Editor at TOR Does anyone know who the acquisitions editor for SF/Fantasy is at TOR? I've Googled, Yahooed, hunted through blogs, and I can't put a name with the title. I don't want to use the dreaded...Dear Editor...how crappy is that?

09-30-2007, 10:34 PM	#2
dclary Survivor Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 12,960	He won't take it personally. Seriously. Just query. Or call the front office and ask. __________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Hard Hobbit to Break: A hobbit from the Shire, lost in Los Angeles. Big Fat Loser Diet: My weight loss journal. Website a Week: A challenge to design a new website every week. DavidWClary.com: Keep up with all the other DWC sites here

09-30-2007, 11:13 PM	#4
badducky No Time For Chitchat, Kemosabe. Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 3,831	Tor has bought approximately ten projects from their slush pile in the history of the imprint, last I heard. And, they get approximately a billion slush queries a months If you want to find an editor, find books kind of like yours on the bookshelf, and see who their editors and agetns are. Look in the acknowledgements page. You'll find 'em. __________________ Come by my website

09-30-2007, 11:25 PM	#6
Medievalist Cultus Gopherus MacAllister Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: þone þe in meoduhealle Posts: 22,660	Thump, if you're serious, look into an internship. It's a good way to get both feet in the door. Most publishers have 'em and Tor's is especially well thought of. __________________ About.Me iPad Projects AWers On Twitter My opinions are my own. \| Who else would want them?

10-01-2007, 01:52 AM	#9
oscuridad practical experience, FTW Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 375	here's a link to their website, which contains a link to their blog 'making light': http://nielsenhayden.com/ Last edited by oscuridad; 10-01-2007 at 01:56 AM.

10-01-2007, 01:49 AM	#8
oscuridad practical experience, FTW Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 375	Its a husband and wife team - hayden something. They have a blog - I'll see if I can find a link.

10-01-2007, 02:07 AM	#10
Medievalist Cultus Gopherus MacAllister Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: þone þe in meoduhealle Posts: 22,660	No, the SF acquistions editor at Tor is not the Nielsen Haydens. It really isn't. PNH is the head of the SF division. TNH now works at Federated Media. Follow the guidelines; really. I am speaking wisdom here. When an unsolicited ms. comes in, an editorial asst. logs it, looks at the front to see where it goes, and it's distributed. It's generally not going to go right to the acquisitions editor; usually someone does a general perusal and QA check, first. __________________ About.Me iPad Projects AWers On Twitter My opinions are my own. \| Who else would want them?

10-01-2007, 04:45 AM	#13
badducky No Time For Chitchat, Kemosabe. Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 3,831	If you want to know who is buying things at what imprint, sign up for Publisher's Lunch. They have a free version that's still very informative. There are many different kinds of "editor" at different imprints, and it is important to send things to the right one. If you want to find an editor or an agent, go to your bookshelf at the books that are kind of like your in style and demographic, and read the acknowledgments page. Targeting an "acquisitions editor" is not nearly as useful as targeting "the editor who bought the project by that other new-ish author who has kind of the same tone/sense of humor as me." Finding an agent first is a good idea, if you can swing it. Be sure to check any potential agents with Writer Beware, Preditors and Editors, and our own Bewares and Background check board. Just because someone is listed as okay once, doesn't mean that status stays the same throughout all time. Things change, after all. Evidence gathers. __________________ Come by my website

10-01-2007, 06:37 AM	#14
Doodlebug practical experience, FTW Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Central Generica Posts: 479	About a year ago, I querried TOR (both the regular and the paranormal divisions), and I was told that they no longer take unsolicited ms. Unless someone else knows differently, I'd say you need an agent. (But, for your sake, I sure hope I'm wrong!!) __________________ My book My website My blog My Red Room page

10-01-2007, 06:47 AM	#15
Medievalist Cultus Gopherus MacAllister Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: þone þe in meoduhealle Posts: 22,660	The Tor web site says they still take open submissions. __________________ About.Me iPad Projects AWers On Twitter My opinions are my own. \| Who else would want them?

10-01-2007, 06:49 AM	#16
Doodlebug practical experience, FTW Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Central Generica Posts: 479	Okay, well that's good! Not too many of those publishers left. __________________ My book My website My blog My Red Room page

10-02-2007, 02:10 AM	#17
Doodlebug practical experience, FTW Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Central Generica Posts: 479	According to http://www.ralan.com/ the senior editor at TOR is Melissa Ann Singer. Probably this is not the same as the acquisitions editor, but I guess if nothing else, it is a name __________________ My book My website My blog My Red Room page

10-02-2007, 02:27 AM	#18
Medievalist Cultus Gopherus MacAllister Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: þone þe in meoduhealle Posts: 22,660	Melissa Ann Singer is an AW member; see this thread. __________________ About.Me iPad Projects AWers On Twitter My opinions are my own. \| Who else would want them?

10-02-2007, 02:28 AM	#19
Deirdre practical experience, FTW Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Menlo Park, CA Posts: 611	Tor has a number of editors for different lines. For example, if you write paranormal romance, there is a separate set of editors. Thus, I would address it the way the FAQ says unless a specific editor has already requested it. __________________ dsmoen.livejournal.com and sff.net/people/deirdre "I like words and letters, but I'm not crazy about complete sentences."

01-28-2009, 07:49 AM	#20
Witanowski New Fish; Learning About Thick Skin Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 11	I too would be interested to know who the acquisitions editor(s) is/are at Tor...

01-28-2009, 08:26 AM	#21
Smiling Ted Ah-HA! Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: The Great Wide Open Posts: 2,313	Here's a list of editors at Tor. It's in my notes, but what's NOT in my notes is how old this list is, or where I found it. In other words, caveat lector. Claire Eddy Moshe Feder James Frenkel Anna Genoese Liz Gorinsky Robert Gleason David G. Hartwell Harriet McDougal Beth Meacham Patrick Nielsen Hayden Teresa Nielsen Hayden Eric Raab Paul Stevens __________________ "Crazy visions you got. Come with me to barber, we bleed you, you see right, everything good. I buy for you first leech." - The Wrong Sword Read This Blog!: http://theswordthatnagged.blogspot.com/

01-28-2009, 01:55 PM	#22
waylander Who's going for a beer? Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: London, UK Posts: 5,184	Anna Genoese is no longer with Tor

01-28-2009, 03:50 PM	#23
Diana Hignutt permaflounced Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Southern New Jersey Posts: 7,867	I was invited to submit to them over two and a half years ago (when TNH still was there full time) and haven't heard a peep. Be prepared to be patient. Last edited by Diana Hignutt; 01-28-2009 at 10:01 PM.

01-28-2009, 04:23 PM	#24
Mr Flibble They've been very bad, Mr Flibble Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: We couldn't possibly do that. Who'd clear up the mess? Posts: 15,777	Behold the Tor slush pile And that's just a small part of it. Edmund Hilary would blanch at climbing it. __________________ The Rojan Dizon books, book one out now from Orbit Website Twitter

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