Writers and editors often have similar goals: to see pages published that contain quality writing. While the poet or author probably hopes that his or her own works meet that coveted criteria, the editor practices a selective and grueling process to adorn publications with the best of the best.

Editors, like many writers, spend days and nights alone with the hum of the computer fan, neck cocked down and eyes tired from a shining screen. Inside the mind conversations flow about misspellings, common grammar mistakes and overused topics as bulk seems to chip away the creative spirit. But finally, shining like God rays from behind dark, dense clouds, a unique word or phrase, an unfathomable title pops out and restores faith in originality.

Alice Kracke, editor and English professor, will guide the Pensters Writing Group through the editorial maze, to communicate possibilities and hone skills for publication.

The April 14th workshop, “To Live and Write in L.A.: Editing a Monthly Magazine,” will take attendees on Kracke’s journey, “From submission of a short story to Sense magazine soon after its inception in June of 2010 to appointment in rapid succession as copy editor, associate editor, and editor of that publication.”

“I spent a frenzied but fulfilling year helping a high-end start-up get on its feet and grow legs,” she explained. “My talk will focus on the rewards gained, mistakes made, and lessons learned as a writer and editor, taking into account my background as an academic and former lawyer and how my experience in those two professions informed my editing of Sense.”

She said that her understanding of demands and aspirations from hopeful writer all the way to busy editor might offer some insight to Pensters members.

“Submissions have so much to do with timing--the right fit of a story, poem, article for the publication's needs at the moment,” she began. “Also, the workload of the editor in responding to inquiries!--by that, I mean it often takes more than a couple of weeks for an uber-busy editor to even respond to a submission.”

“I first experienced this when I sent academic writing to university presses (in other words, I was on the receiving end of the silence) and then was guilty of it when I was an editor. Often, editors have either a huge amount of submissions, another job, constraints (such as family, travel for work, or even illness, etc.) that they simply haven't had a chance to get back with authors. So, the moral of this is not to take silence personally but to be super professional and send a follow-up email if there has been no word for several weeks. I had to do this with an academic publisher several years ago and discovered that the editor had been out of town much of that time. Silence doesn't necessarily indicate disinterest but can be quite circumstantial in nature.”

Kracke suggested that writers who are persistent and accommodating might have a better shot at publication.

“The other thing is for authors to respond swiftly once they do hear from an editor and, if the editor requests specific revisions or adjustments to the writing, do them,” she offered. “If such changes would destroy the integrity of the writing, then decline to make them and move on to another press that will accept your writing the way you want it received.”

Pensters President P.T. Paul said she understands the qualities and expectations needed in the writer-editor relationship and that writing groups should support the comprehension of such latter aspects of writing, like seeking publication.

“Writers and editors have had a love-hate relationship since the invention of the printing press, a symbiotic relationship in which the writer answers primarily to his muse and his growling belly, while the editor answers to the publisher, who must second-guess the tastes and desires of the reading public,” she divulged. “When writers and editors work together, the result benefits them both, so it behooves the writer to appreciate and understand what the editor needs, and to determine from that what he – the writer – must produce.”

“Inviting Dr. Alice Kracke to speak to the Pensters Writing Group was an acknowledgment of the writers’ responsibility to keep abreast of the publics’ wants and needs, which the editor sometimes knows much better than the writer. Understanding how the editor does her job informs the writer as to how he must do his job, dispelling any erroneous preconceived ideas on the part of the writer, and allowing the symbiotic relationship to succeed.”

She explained that Kracke’s role as editor of a local publication, makes her doubly perfect as a workshop speaker.

“The purpose of the Pensters Writing Group, as stated in the Bylaws, is to ‘improve craftsmanship and to promote marketing of members’ works,’ and inviting an editor to speak to the group provides the members the opportunity to have their questions answered in person, which helps them craft their work to fit the marketplace,” Paul said. “Members are always encouraged to submit their work to local markets, because being published close to home allows the writer to become known within his own community, which allows him to build his confidence and develop his skills to the point where he can succeed in the larger marketplace outside of the community.”

“Rejection is the all-too common result of a writer not educating himself about the marketplace, but that result is far less likely if the writer understands how the marketplace works.”

Kracke’s eclectic, academic background might be another aspect of her helping a wide variety of writers. After earning a law degree, she went back to study English; she earned her MA from Auburn University in 1994 and her PhD from Tufts University in Massachusetts in 2009.

“The doctorate, which of course requires a dissertation, prepared me well for the detail-oriented nature of editing,” she recalled. “It also gave me a ‘macro’ view of giving each issue of a magazine a thematic thread--an overarching ‘thesis,’ if you will--to make it ‘smart,’ culturally current, stimulating. A couple of magazines I like that do this well are Harper's, The New Yorker, Garden and Gun (at a more regionally local level).”

Her role as American Literature professor at the University of South Alabama has also broadened her knowledge and experience.

“Teaching at the college level also helped me a great deal in terms of being sensitive to writers' egos and critiquing carefully, diplomatically so that the final product is the best it can be. Overall, I believe that writing my dissertation made me a careful editor, and editing made me a better writer.”

Pensters Member Barbara Lassiter said she’s hopeful that Kracke’s experiences will teach her a great deal.

“Personal success stories inspire me and I look forward to great inspiration from Dr. Kracke's wealth of wisdom, professional insights and encouragement as she shares with Pensters her journey to become the editor of Sense magazine,” she said. “As a writer of creative non-fiction and editor of two newsletters, I hope to gain knowledge and wisdom from her triumphs, mistakes and perseverance that will enable me to become a better writer and editor.”

Pensters Member Charlie Bryant agreed.

“A university professor and published writer is going to share her expertise with us--how can we not benefit?” he said with excitement. “I’m always excited when successful practionishers of our craft offer their advice and guidance.”

“I always leave a Pensters meeting excited, encouraged and inspired. People like Dr. Kracke and the other authors or speakers we are privileged to hear are a major element of the Pensters program. The Pensters program helps develop the latent creative talent in our members through education, mentoring and critique.”

Sonya Bennett, a Pensters Writing Group member, suggested Kracke as a speaker after having positive dealings with her when she edited Sense. Bennett said Kracke seemed to appreciate her interest in the magazine and even had missing issues sent to her house.

“I met Dr. Alice Kracke over the telephone after emailing her a note telling her how much I enjoyed and appreciated Sense magazine--at that time, she served as editor of the magazine,” Bennett explained.

“I thought it the most beautiful current magazine in our area. The letter I sent to her personally was rather long and full of description. I especially appreciated Dr. Sue Walker's story on the environmental issues and thought the interview with Donnie Barrett, our History Museum Director was splendid. The articles were fresh and the ads were beautiful.”

As a longtime writer and explorer of many genres, Bennett said she’s particularly grateful for motivations and opportunities in all their forms.

“For my seventh birthday, Mama gave me a diary with a key to write my thoughts and to lock them into the treasury of that small book evoked elation in my young self. That has never left and oddly, the spark has come into flame, much like those wild orange azaleas in the park above the street. I live in a cottage above the bay in Fairhope with my dog Pepper, a.k.a. Rumi, in a town that encourages the arts. This makes me very happy.”

Childhood memories, Fairhope by the Bay and speakers like Kracke keep pen to paper, she said.

“Much thought has gone into the programs for Pensters and each time I leave Dahlgren Hall, I feel invigorated and inspired.”

Paul offered that, “As president of the Pensters Writing Group, I feel that it is my responsibility to encourage the members to submit their work to quality publications like Sense magazine, which can compete on the national level, as well as on the local level. Writers are known for the company they keep, in terms of where their work is published, and having their work showcased in such a high quality publication is a feather in the cap of any writer.”

The Pensters meet from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. the second Saturday of the month at Dahlgren Hall in Faulkner State Community College Fairhope Campus. For more, email Paul at ptphantazein@gmail.com.