TESTIMONIALS
When Sylvia evaluated the manuscript of my first novel, she became the only person in the world who had read it besides myself. It is a fearsome time for the beginning writer. I’m glad to say that she treated me with sensitivity while giving me what I needed most: a clear-eyed assessment of the book and some very sound advice on how to improve it. Her knowledge of the publishing world, in particular, is invaluable to the inexperienced writer.
- Catherine Macdonald, author of Put on the Armour of Light
Sylvia has been instrumental in my writing career, both as a publisher and editor. She truly cares about the craft and art of writing and the development of new talent. The value that she brings to each manuscript as it is readied for publication cannot be understated. I highly recommend Sylvia’s services for authors at every stage in their career.
- Brenda Chapman, author of the mystery Cold Mourning and the Jennifer Bannon series of YA fiction
Two things I value highly in an editor are a continuous, open line of communication and the ability to guide without pushing. Sylvia embodies both those qualities.
- Kristin Butcher, author of The Truths I Learned from Sam
There are, I believe, two kinds of editors--there is the editor who works together with the author to create the best book possible--that's the good editor. =Then there is the editor who wants the writer to create the book the editor would have written had he/she been the writer. That's the bad editor.
Sylvia McConnell has been the editor for two of my books. She falls into the first category. I found her respectful of both me and my work even when she felt strongly about areas she felt needed attention. And when we disagreed--as authors and editors will--it was never personal and she was always willing to listen, consider and compromise, if needed, when I took a stand on a particular section.
I absolutely look forward to working with Sylvia again
- David Poulsen, author of Old Man and Billy and the Bearman
Sylvia McConnell is one of those rare editors who can give advice without raising my blood pressure in the process. She's thorough—I want a careful, thoughtful edit—but she's also gentle. She points out a problem and leaves me to come up with a solution. In the final edit of my historical novel Settlement, for example, she mentioned that a page in one chapter seemed to have too much exposition. She was right. I rewrote the page, inserting more dialogue, and the writing came suddenly to life.
In my second novel The Professor's Secret (to be published in the spring of 2014), she said that the "bad guy" was too much of a caricature. I went through the pages of the manuscript and gave him a good side, his love for his mother. After all, if you think about the "best" villains in any book you've read, they all have some good points that make them human. Sylvia understands this and gave me an opportunity to make an effective revision.
One of the nicest things about Sylvia McConnell is the prompt way she answers my cries of distress and dumb questions. I'll send her an e-mail in the morning, and she always gets a constructive answer to me by the afternoon.
Sylvia will read your manuscript with care and wisdom and provide you with details that help you improve it. I've had several good editors in my writing career, but none better than Sylvia.
- Ann Birch, the author of Settlement and The Professor’s Secret
Sylvia McConnell has been my mentor from the very beginning of my writing career. She has helped me navigate the world of young adult publishing with not only her expert editorial advice but also with her professional insight. I highly recommend Sylvia as an editor to any first time author who is seeking publication as well as to previously published authors who want to further hone their craft.
- Christopher Dinsdale, author of Broken Circle, Betrayed, Stolen Away and The Emerald Key
I met Sylvia McConnell more than a decade ago when RendezVous Crime accepted my first novel for publication. Sylvia was nominally the publisher, but did a lot of editing too, on this and my next two books.
I believe Sylvia to be a person that sets and lives up to the most demanding standards for her own work while showing the greatest possible respect to others, both authors and readers.
As a RendezVous author, I found that—however busy Sylvia was—she always made time to respond to my queries and concerns. She values and appreciates creativity, and never tries to substitute her vision for the author’s. I never felt she injected her ego into the editing process, but made every suggestion for improvement in the interests of the reader. Without condescension, she worked to make RendezVous’s publications accessible to a broad audience, challenging any passage that might baffle or mislead.
Sylvia McConnell has been a joy to work with. Whatever the problem, I’ve found her skilful at finding solutions that work for all parties. She is principled and at the same time practical, warm and business-savvy.
With Sylvia, there is no contradiction between sympathetic and efficient. She is both.
- Mel Bradshaw, the author of Death in the Age of Steam, Quarrel with the Foe and Victim Impact
When Sylvia evaluated the manuscript of my first novel, she became the only person in the world who had read it besides myself. It is a fearsome time for the beginning writer. I’m glad to say that she treated me with sensitivity while giving me what I needed most: a clear-eyed assessment of the book and some very sound advice on how to improve it. Her knowledge of the publishing world, in particular, is invaluable to the inexperienced writer.
- Catherine Macdonald, author of Put on the Armour of Light
Sylvia has been instrumental in my writing career, both as a publisher and editor. She truly cares about the craft and art of writing and the development of new talent. The value that she brings to each manuscript as it is readied for publication cannot be understated. I highly recommend Sylvia’s services for authors at every stage in their career.
- Brenda Chapman, author of the mystery Cold Mourning and the Jennifer Bannon series of YA fiction
Two things I value highly in an editor are a continuous, open line of communication and the ability to guide without pushing. Sylvia embodies both those qualities.
- Kristin Butcher, author of The Truths I Learned from Sam
There are, I believe, two kinds of editors--there is the editor who works together with the author to create the best book possible--that's the good editor. =Then there is the editor who wants the writer to create the book the editor would have written had he/she been the writer. That's the bad editor.
Sylvia McConnell has been the editor for two of my books. She falls into the first category. I found her respectful of both me and my work even when she felt strongly about areas she felt needed attention. And when we disagreed--as authors and editors will--it was never personal and she was always willing to listen, consider and compromise, if needed, when I took a stand on a particular section.
I absolutely look forward to working with Sylvia again
- David Poulsen, author of Old Man and Billy and the Bearman
Sylvia McConnell is one of those rare editors who can give advice without raising my blood pressure in the process. She's thorough—I want a careful, thoughtful edit—but she's also gentle. She points out a problem and leaves me to come up with a solution. In the final edit of my historical novel Settlement, for example, she mentioned that a page in one chapter seemed to have too much exposition. She was right. I rewrote the page, inserting more dialogue, and the writing came suddenly to life.
In my second novel The Professor's Secret (to be published in the spring of 2014), she said that the "bad guy" was too much of a caricature. I went through the pages of the manuscript and gave him a good side, his love for his mother. After all, if you think about the "best" villains in any book you've read, they all have some good points that make them human. Sylvia understands this and gave me an opportunity to make an effective revision.
One of the nicest things about Sylvia McConnell is the prompt way she answers my cries of distress and dumb questions. I'll send her an e-mail in the morning, and she always gets a constructive answer to me by the afternoon.
Sylvia will read your manuscript with care and wisdom and provide you with details that help you improve it. I've had several good editors in my writing career, but none better than Sylvia.
- Ann Birch, the author of Settlement and The Professor’s Secret
Sylvia McConnell has been my mentor from the very beginning of my writing career. She has helped me navigate the world of young adult publishing with not only her expert editorial advice but also with her professional insight. I highly recommend Sylvia as an editor to any first time author who is seeking publication as well as to previously published authors who want to further hone their craft.
- Christopher Dinsdale, author of Broken Circle, Betrayed, Stolen Away and The Emerald Key
I met Sylvia McConnell more than a decade ago when RendezVous Crime accepted my first novel for publication. Sylvia was nominally the publisher, but did a lot of editing too, on this and my next two books.
I believe Sylvia to be a person that sets and lives up to the most demanding standards for her own work while showing the greatest possible respect to others, both authors and readers.
As a RendezVous author, I found that—however busy Sylvia was—she always made time to respond to my queries and concerns. She values and appreciates creativity, and never tries to substitute her vision for the author’s. I never felt she injected her ego into the editing process, but made every suggestion for improvement in the interests of the reader. Without condescension, she worked to make RendezVous’s publications accessible to a broad audience, challenging any passage that might baffle or mislead.
Sylvia McConnell has been a joy to work with. Whatever the problem, I’ve found her skilful at finding solutions that work for all parties. She is principled and at the same time practical, warm and business-savvy.
With Sylvia, there is no contradiction between sympathetic and efficient. She is both.
- Mel Bradshaw, the author of Death in the Age of Steam, Quarrel with the Foe and Victim Impact
