Voices of the Past
Historical Romance Author

Meet a Historical Romance Editor
Friday, September 15, 2023 by Denise Weimer
Denise Weimer: Historical Romance at the Tip of a Pen
I recently had the opportunity to interview my editor at Wild Heart Books. In addition to being an awesome editor (who cheers me on), she is an awesome writer. Her newest book, A Counterfeit Betrothal, is set in 1813 Georgia. Denise has been in love with history since childhood:
How long have you been writing?
I started writing around age eleven, when my parents would take me to historical sites, and my active imagination started churning out stories about the type of people who lived in those old houses or adorable towns. My first novella was published in my late twenties. I concentrated on being a mom, magazine writing, and other part-time jobs until my next series, The Georgia Gold Series, found a publisher. A number of novels and novellas, both historical and contemporary romance, have followed in the last decade.
What led you to becoming an editor?
About five or six years ago, I started noticing some of my author friends being published by and working as editors for Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas. I reached out to the company, and they plugged me in under Ann Tatlock, Heritage Beacon Historical Fiction. About the same time, I was in a multi-author Barbour collection with Pegg Thomas, who was the Smitten Historical Romance editor. Smitten was growing, and she asked me to help her out with the imprint. She connected me with Karin Beery’s PEN Institute for some extra training. Before I knew it, both Ann and Pegg had retired from LPC, and I was overseeing both historical imprints! I did so for several years while building my independent editing clients and working through Christian Editor Connection as well. I’m now with Wild Heart Books, Misty Beller’s Christian historical romance company, as Acquisitions & Editorial Liaison.
What are your favorite aspects about being an editor?
Finding authors with stories that blow my socks off! Seeing them sign a series contract, working with them behind the scenes, the delight of the book cover reveal, and the launch.
In the actual editing process, I love knowing in my spirit that I’m doing with clarity and confidence exactly what God gifted me to do.
How does your writing influence your editing and vice-versa?
Being an editor has made my writing so much stronger. I’m able to see things in my stories I wouldn’t have before and catch bloopers or holes much sooner. It’s like both sides of my brain are working equally and simultaneously. That allows me to be both organized and creative. Writing also impacts my editing by giving me empathy and compassion. I know how I’d want my editing comments and feedback delivered, and I seek to deliver suggestions with kindness and an eye on the bigger picture.
What do you wish writers understood about the editing process?
A good editor won’t try to change your style or make unnecessary cuts. Their comments should focus on the text, not you as a person. They’ll encourage you to clearly communicate your main characters’ goals and motivations and make sure each scene moves the plot forward. Their goal is to make your book the most polished and engaging it can be before your readers get a copy.
If edits make you nervous, pray and relax before opening your document. Imagine the editor as a friendly eye in the sky, helping your manuscript avoid pitfalls.
How did you develop your idea for your new release/series?
I had a book I pitched to Misty at Wild Heart Books (now A Counterfeit Betrothal, Amazon link) and she asked how I might turn it into a series, since that’s what she prefers to contract. I love writing in Colonial and Federal times with settings on the Southern frontier, so I did some research and came up with the idea of the Scouts of the Georgia Frontier. The first novel is set during the War of 1812, the next two during the American Revolution, and the fourth in Savannah during the Stamp Act Protests of 1765. Each novel is packed with frontier action, adventure, and romance.
Any favorite topics, eras, or tropes you keep returning to?
A lot of my characters are in need of healing or redemption. I love to show how God can bring that about even among the harshest circumstances—using the hardships to refine.
Learn more at DeniseWeimerBooks.com
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