Meet Editor Catherine Lenderi
We are thrilled to introduce Editor Catherine Lenderi to the Fiery Seas family.
How did you get into this business and why?
In 2012, I joined Authonomy, an online writers’ community where authors were posting their WIP to receive feedback from other authors or readers. I gradually started offering advice as a reader as I wanted to help them improve their scripts, but I was soon encouraged by the members there to do so professionally as they found my critiques constructive.
To me, editing is another form of teaching, only now I get to help adults develop their writing skills.
What do you look for when reading submissions?
First of all, an exciting beginning. Books that take me right where the action is. As a reader, I get easily bored and if the first few paragraphs don’t catch my attention, I am sorry to say that I don’t read the rest of the book.
If a book passes that test, then what I want is a believable story with well-developed characters, fast-paced books that urge me to keep reading, and depending on the genre, I love plot twists and unexpected endings.
What can authors do to get you excited about working with them?
Knowing how difficult it is to find the right words when writing a query letter, I would advise authors to keep it simple and get right to the point of the story if they want to make me read their story. Just tell me why I would have bought your book if I happened to see it at a bookstore and picked it up to read the blurb.
What are your pet peeves?
Bad grammar. After spending twenty years teaching grammar rules, I can’t simply ignore them.
Theme-wise, I am open-minded and not easily offended so I’ll read just about anything, except stories involving cruelty to animals and children.
What would you like to see in the forms of submissions?
Romance: Any sub-genre. Happy-ever-afters that make me swoon or sad stories that make me sympathize with the characters. Seemingly incompatible couples, second chances in love, older characters, next-door friends turning to lovers, Scotts in kilts, handsome cowboys, mysterious warriors, contemporary men and women, a new Mr. Darcy.
Fantasy and Sci-Fi: Give me a whole new world. Take me to places no other author has used before and make me see what your world looks like. Lots of action and adventure and a pinch of humor and you have me. Fantasy involving mythology of any origin, mythical monsters, dark magic, medieval fantasy. Sci-Fi involving unexplored planets, space battles, destruction of the old world to create a new one, post-apocalyptic worlds.
Mystery/ Thrillers / Detective Stories: Keep me on edge till the end of the story. Make me wonder who the killer is and when I think I got it, change it again. I love plot twists. Serial killers, detectives that don’t miss any detail in a crime scene (think Hercule Poirot), mysteries that are based on true stories (remotely or not).
Paranormal: If you can spook me, then I’ll give you a deal. Be warned, that doesn’t happen often. I have a personal affinity to vampires but any creepy character will do. The creepier, the better. I want urban legends. Think of that old house you used to go by in your neighborhood and always gave you a bad vibe, or that old lady down the street that people said she was a witch. Clairvoyance, clairaudience and other supernatural powers. If your characters have them, let me hear about it.
What is on your to-be-read pile right now?
My Kindle is full of books by Indie authors as I love discovering fresh voices. But I also buy lots of paperbacks when I get the chance.
What are you currently reading?
Currently, I am reading The Mystery of the Yellow Room by Gaston Leroux.
Give us 5 facts about you that we may not know.
I’ve written and published 3 books, one of which has been translated into five languages so far. They are all under a pen name, so don’t go looking for them.
I speak four languages: English, Greek, German and French. Well, the last two are a little rusty, but still…
I had a story shortlisted in a Harlequin short story competition in 2015.
I like motorcycles and my dream is to acquire a Harley Davidson at some point in my life. On the other hand, I hate cars as they make me dizzy.
Nothing can win my heart faster than a black cat.
What is your favorite genre?
Romance, though I am an avid reader and read just about anything.
What is your favorite type of hero and heroine?
Those who believe in themselves and despite hardships make things work out for them.
What is the best way for authors to reach out to you?
You can find me on Twitter and Facebook.
Catherine Lenderi is a former English teacher. After teaching English to Greek students for twenty years, she decided to take her passion for books to the next level and focus entirely on her editing career, which she had started in 2012, alongside with teaching.
She enjoys reading, taking care of her cat and riding her motorcycle. She also drinks a lot of coffee while editing.
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