When I set out to learn about my mother's bridge club, the Jewish octogenarians behind the matching outfits and accessories, I never expected to fall in love with them. This is the story of the ladies, their game, their gen, and the ragged path that led me back to my mother.
I had my first post-Covid lunch date with an editor yesterday. I was rusty, I admit it. Plus, I will also admit that the older I get the more irrelevant I feel even if i am a badass or am a former badass or whatever. When I was a young editor, I HATED having lunch dates with agents. They were all so fucking sure of themselves. Established. Had all this insider knowledge and summer homes and kids in boarding schools and designer tote bags. And I’d be in my little Anne Taylor suit just trying to pretend I knew who or what they were talking about. I remember listening so hard and pretending to be empathic. The whole point is to get them to send you their projects. One of the more powerful agents sent me something I really liked but the editor in chief made me turn it down. When I told her I couldn’t make an offer, she said, “Well, you obviously don’t have any power over there.” LOL you go that right. I’m just a turd with an expense account. And then, Alice, I became an agent. Here I am. Blinkety blankety boo. The young editor I met yesterday was LOVELY. Smart, funny, discerning, spoke about books in an original and fresh way. None of this “I’m looking for bestsellers” nonsense.
Describe your ideal editor.
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Betsy Lerner 
You
Those were the days.
Melanie Kroupa
That is one dangerous question if one has an editor. I want one who is truthful, and without too much of the “personality” that comes with the territory. If ya know what I mean.
Regarding what I do, the (newspaper) editors I’ve had the pleasure to work with have, for the most part, been helpful and supportive. Only one, out of a half dozen or so, thought she was a NYTs big wig behind a local weekly’s desk. I switched papers because she always changed my titles. Her’s sucked.
My first, over 30 years ago, was a wonderful man who always told me, and eventually my daughter when he retired from the newspaper business and became a teacher at the college level, “…you can do this.”
The student becomes the master.Blinkety blankety boo
Except for one, who was a boring uncreative grammar sergeant (I’m damn exacting myself- she just loved to have her say/way) the magazine editors I worked for were respectful and insightful. And always appreciative of the effort in the work.
“Describe your ideal editor.”
Gordon Lish.
That’s not exactly a description, but word gets around.