September 24, 2013 /

Maxwell Perkins, edited Thomas Wolfe, Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald

perkins

“The first thing you must remember…(is that an) editor does not add
to a book. At best he serves as a handmaiden to an author. Don’t ever
get to feeling important about yourself, because an an editor at most
releases energy. He creates nothing.”

***

That exceedingly modest quotation was from Max Perkins (found in A. Scott Berg’s excellent biography)…he, as an editor at Scribner’s, just happened to help create the Great/Modern American Novel – I’m just saying…

Max Perkins: Editor of Genius: A. Scott Berg: 9780425223376: Amazon.com: Books.

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TagsA. Scott Berg American Literature book Classic Novels editing Editor Ernest Hemingway F. Scott Fitzgerald history literature Max Perkins: Editor of Genius Maxwell Perkins Maxwell Perkins quote photography publishing Scribner's the Modern American Novel Thomas Wolfe

12 Comments

  1. John Grabowski
    September 25, 2013

    Today editors are endangered species…

    • Vickie Lester
      September 25, 2013

      Don’t you think it has to do with profit margins and that publishing has become “big box”…? Maybe?

  2. Gallivanta
    September 25, 2013

    I guess you are not allowed to say if your editor looks this good! 😉

    • Heather in Arles
      September 25, 2013

      hehehe…

      • Vickie Lester
        September 25, 2013

        Oh, you’ll like this, Heather – I completely forgot to address his trousers! I believe that high waist is referred to as the Hollywood cut 😉 .

    • Vickie Lester
      September 25, 2013

      I don’t actually see him that much, mostly email and notes and comments, back and forth, but, I can guarantee he doesn’t swan around in a waistcoat and jacket! What is it about a man in a well tailored suit? Love the look…

Comments are closed.