CassAsks - my editor! (Patreon)

As I've officially signed that contract in the last month, I thought it would be fun to commemorate it by posting a CassAsks with Yeza (full name not provided per her request for privacy).

For some background - about a year ago, she approached me to sign with Simon & Schuster, and this entire deal would not have been happening if she hadn't reached out to get the ball rolling. I'm still early in our working relationship, but I am deeply appreciative of her and excited for what's to come!

And... honestly, I was thrilled she agreed to do a Q&A. For me (and most people, I think??) trad pub is kind of like a black box. A mystery. So, to have a chance to pick the mind of someone that works as an editor is thrilling :)

1. How did you get into editing? Was this something you always knew you wanted to do? 

Although I’ve always loved books, it wasn’t until college that I considered editing as a career. Honestly, I didn’t even know it was an option until I took a writing course to fulfill an elective. During that class, my TA told me she could see me working in publishing. That one comment sparked everything—I started researching, double majored in English, graduated, and a couple of years later, I was lucky enough to land a role as a publishing assistant at a small independent eBook publisher that took a chance on me. That’s where I truly fell in love with editing—the creative collaboration, the deep involvement with each manuscript, and the meaningful connections we get to build with authors.

2. What does your typical work day look like?

Probably the hardest question to answer, since priorities and deadlines are always shifting. But overall, it’s definitely fast-paced. A big part of the day is answering emails from various departments—art, contracts, managing editorial, design—each with different needs from editors at different parts of the publication stage. I attend meetings what seems like daily (except Fridays, which are thankfully a bit more relaxed and perfect for catching up on submissions). In essence: lots of emails, lots of meetings, and lots of reading, both for work and for pleasure; a big part of an editor’s job is to make sure we are up-to-date what’s out in the market and what readers are hungry for more of. 

3. Would you ever want to write a novel?

At some point I did, but there aren’t enough hours in the day for me to be able to. That said, being an editor or a publishing professional doesn’t mean you can’t also be a writer. Plenty of people in the industry write and have been published; it’s definitely possible to do both if you can make the time and it’s your passion. 

4. Have you ever joined a fandom? What fandom was it?

Back in the day I was really into Star Wars and Wonder Woman, met many mutuals through them, but that has also dwindled.

5. When reading a manuscript, do you know by a certain percentage into the book that you’re hooked? Do you DNF at a certain point?

Yes, I do. It could be as early as the first chapter, but I always try to give each manuscript a fair chance and read as far as possible. But more often than not, you can tell really early on if it needs editorial work, if it’s not your taste, or if you don’t have a vision for it. In order to pursue something, I usually have to feel really passionate about it and know that I would be the perfect editor for it. 

6. What is your favorite part of the editing process? What is your least favorite part?

My favorite part of the process is the collaboration with the author—offering feedback and suggestions to help shape the work into the best version of itself, and getting to exchange ideas along the way. If I had to pick a least favorite part, it would probably be the final stage. By then, the nerves start to kick in and it’s easy to second-guess the choices you’ve made. The project is essentially out of your hands, and all you can do is hope that readers will love it as much as you do.

7. What is your favorite meal?

If I had to choose just one meal, it would be tacos, or almost anything Mexican, especially if it’s a family recipe. 

8. What is your favorite trope to read?

I’m a sucker for friends-to-lovers or workplace romance, though I’ll read any trope. 

9. Who is your favorite character you’ve ever read?

This is such a hard question, but I’ll go with the one who I was obsessed with and wanted to read all books of, which is Junie B. Jones. 

10. What book got you into reading? 

I can’t pinpoint one specific book. I remember loving reading from a very early age. The books that come to mind are The Berenstain Bears, Junie B. Jones, Goosebumps, and The Babysitters Club books. 

11. What book got you into reading sapphic romance?

If I’m thinking back to the first sapphic novel I read and that made me crave more representation, it would be Patricia Highsmith’s The Price of Salt/Carol.  If it’s specifically what is more commerical/rom-com/contemporary, it would be Those Who Wait. 

12. If you could pick one song to epitomize your characters, what would it be? One song each, for as many characters as you’d like to answer with.

“I Wanna Be Yours” by Arctic Monkeys

13. What is your favorite Taylor Swift song and/or lyric?

Another tough question. I admire her as a lyricist, and I think she has soo many to choose from. This will probably be a cliché, but I’ll go with “You kept me like a secret, but I kept you like an oath” since it’s one that really stuck with me. 

14. Have you ever read a book – or fanfic – that is criminally underrated? Now is your chance to advertise it: 

Cantoras by Caro de Robertis or Whenever You’re Ready by Rachel Runya Katz

15. What would you title your auto-biography?

In Her Image or In Their Image … an ode to my parents. 

16. Finally – where would you put these characters on this seating chart: Charlotte Thompson from Those Who Wait by me: Head of the table, leftCassie Klein from Mistakes Were Made by Meryl Wilsner: Next to Elle, top rightDarla Fitzgerald from Just as You Are by Camille Kellogg: Head of the table, rightElle Jones from Written in The Stars by Alexandria Bellefleur: Next to Charlotte, top leftJane from One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston: Bottom right (Don’t think she would be intimidated by Darla, and I think Scottie wouldScottie Zajac from She Drives Me Crazy by Kelly Quindlen: Bottom left

Explain your reasoning :) 

Charlotte Thompson (Those Who Wait): Head of the table, left Charlotte has that quiet, composed authority. She's not the loudest in the room, but when she speaks, everyone listens. She'd anchor the table with a calm, collected presence—and absolutely needs a seat of control.

Elle Jones (Written in the Stars): Next to Charlotte, top left Elle’s sunny, open energy makes her the perfect counterbalance to Charlotte’s reserve. They’d bounce off each other well—Elle drawing Charlotte out, Charlotte grounding Elle.

Cassie Klein (Mistakes Were Made): Next to Elle, top right Cassie belongs on the fun, slightly chaotic end of the table. She and Elle would be instant friends—flirty, sarcastic, probably stirring up trouble—but also emotionally attuned. They’d share looks across the table when things get awkward.

Darla Fitzgerald (Just As You Are): Head of the table, right Darla has big boss energy and would absolutely need to hold court on the other end. Confident, sharp, and not afraid to call anyone out … in the best way. A strong but fair leader type, she balances Charlotte’s quieter command.

Jane (One Last Stop): Bottom right Jane is observant, effortlessly cool, and not easily ruffled. She’d vibe with Darla rather than be intimidated, and would probably share a smirk or two at the chaos happening across the table. She's the unbothered backbone of her end.

Scottie Zajac (She Drives Me Crazy): Bottom left Scottie might posture tough, but she’s still growing into her confidence. She’d be slightly intimidated by Darla, more at ease across from Elle and Cassie. This side of the table lets her be part of the fun while still keeping her edge.