Tom Colgan
Penguin USA
The Writer’s Dossier 5/28/2024 – The Tom Colgan interview
Get that first chapter right
DOSSIER: How do you feel about acquiring strong books that have a poor starting off point with a tough first chapter? Do you get past that first chapter and see the potential, or do you stop once you get turned off with something you’re not happy with?
COLGAN: Without a doubt it’s a challenge to get past a bad first chapter, but, at that point, what I’m really reading for is the author’s voice. Am I intrigued? Is the dialogue sharp? And most of all, do I want to keep reading? If the problem is just sloppy plot setup or an uninspired setting, that’s something you can work on with the author later.
Be a sensation
DOSSIER: Since editors work for publishers who are focused on sales and the bottom line, how important is it for you to be able to convince them that a particular writer has a strong social media presence or a personal vehicle to generate sales right away?
COLGAN: If you come to us with a self-published book that’s blowing up on BookTok we’ll be all over it, but we buy books all the time from people who have zero social media presence. We will encourage you to build one before your book comes out, and we’ll help you do it. It’s just not a requirement for acquisition.
Know when Tom eats lunch
DOSSIER: What do you focus on most—developmental editing and pulling the strings from behind the curtain or directing scenes, themes, and plot lines with a guiding hand?
COLGAN: The first thing I learned on day one of my career was that lunch hour actually runs from 12:30-2. On my second day, I learned “It’s the author’s book.” My job is to make sure your book represents your vision in the clearest way possible, not to impose my vision on it. The kinds of thrillers I edit are, by their nature, very plot driven. So I spend a lot of time talking about the story with the author beforehand, and focusing on the story when I’m editing. A lot of times I’ll say to authors, “You think you’re saying A, but readers will hear B.” I’m there to help you recognize that gap and bridge it.
Colgan’s message to the writing community
DOSSIER: Bonus question: Is there anything you’ve been dying to tell the writing community?
COLGAN: Here’s my message for the writing community. Write what interests you, not what you think will sell. It’s more likely that the market will come around to an earnest, authentic story than that you will be able to fake your way to success. And if it doesn’t work, you’ll still have a book you can be proud of.
Learn more about Tom at: Penguin USA | X | Instagram