Editors...

[VydorScope]

Originally Posted by rhadin

Even now I get manuscript with the instruction to make no changes other than an obvious misspelling because the author will reject all other changes or suggestions and throw a hissy fit.

The first time I gave my book to some one to edit I nearly felt that way, it was after all my precious! I had spent years on that first book... but alas I swallowed my pride (tasted horrible, btw!) and let the editing go through and I think if you compare my 3rd book to my first you can see a big improvement with me allowing my Editor and my Proof Reader to do their thing.

I just have to accept I tell good stories, that does not mean I am good with language.

[mr ploppy]

Originally Posted by VydorScope

The first time I gave my book to some one to edit I nearly felt that way, it was after all my precious! I had spent years on that first book... but alas I swallowed my pride (tasted horrible, btw!) and let the editing go through and I think if you compare my 3rd book to my first you can see a big improvement with me allowing my Editor and my Proof Reader to do their thing.

I just have to accept I tell good stories, that does not mean I am good with language.

Would it not be worth getting the first and second up to the same standard as the third? I'm guessing they all follow on from each other, so if they don't like the first they won't bother with the rest?

[mr ploppy]

Originally Posted by rhadin

Even now I get manuscript with the instruction to make no changes other than an obvious misspelling because the author will reject all other changes or suggestions and throw a hissy fit.

Some of them have a fit when you come back with a list of typos and it's vastly more than they were expecting you to find. Makes me wonder why they bother.

[VydorScope]

Originally Posted by mr ploppy

Would it not be worth getting the first and second up to the same standard as the third? I'm guessing they all follow on from each other, so if they don't like the first they won't bother with the rest?

I think so and I have already booked time with my editor to do book 1. I am a little concerned that since 15-20,000 copies of Book 1 have gone out already so might have missed the boat, but gonna do it anyways.

[MrsJoseph]

So, this is but it still seems like the place to start.

I have a book review blog (along with a few other people). We mostly just review as we read whatever books we've purchased to read for pleasure.

Over time we've started to get the occasional request from self-published authors to review their recently released works. Sometimes this works out well and sometimes....not so much. The biggest issue we've run into is a lack of editing which has caused many a DNF...and a few of the reviewers have started to think we should just stop accepting self-pubs.

I was thinking something different. Are there any editors here who wouldn't mind giving me some contact information to post publicly? I'm not thinking personal - no one wants that - but maybe a business name/title and a contact email? I would love to be able to create a page on our blog site directing authors to decent editors. It might be helpful for them and it just might help with the slush pile we seem to get.

[VydorScope]

Really think you should start a new thread for that. I think it would get you more visibility.

[MrsJoseph]

You're right. I'll do that as soon as I get home. Thanks!

[rhadin]

Originally Posted by MrsJoseph

I was thinking something different. Are there any editors here who wouldn't mind giving me some contact information to post publicly? I'm not thinking personal - no one wants that - but maybe a business name/title and a contact email? I would love to be able to create a page on our blog site directing authors to decent editors. It might be helpful for them and it just might help with the slush pile we seem to get.

A good idea that is bound not to work well. My experience in hiring editors for my editorial business is that there are too many people who think they are editors and/or think they are competent editors, who aren't. The problem with a list is that you have no way to vet the people who provide you with contact information.

I require both a resume and an editing test. Most applicants have decent resumes but fail the editing test. Of those who do pass the test, 75% of those I have given work to, I have had to "fire."

I think you should continue to review self-pubs but require a certification that the book has been professionally edited and proofread, advising the submitter that should you discover grammar and other serious editorial errors that indicate that the book wasn't professionally edited and proofread, you will note on your blog that

"XYZ Claims to Fame" by Big Writer was submitted for review and certified that it was professionally edited and proofread. The book appears to have not been professionally edited and proofread, and so are neither reviewing nor recommending this book at this time.

This way you do a service to readers and do not foreclose the fastest growing segment of the publishing industry.

[MrsJoseph]

Originally Posted by rhadin

A good idea that is bound not to work well. My experience in hiring editors for my editorial business is that there are too many people who think they are editors and/or think they are competent editors, who aren't. The problem with a list is that you have no way to vet the people who provide you with contact information.

I require both a resume and an editing test. Most applicants have decent resumes but fail the editing test. Of those who do pass the test, 75% of those I have given work to, I have had to "fire."

I think you should continue to review self-pubs but require a certification that the book has been professionally edited and proofread, advising the submitter that should you discover grammar and other serious editorial errors that indicate that the book wasn't professionally edited and proofread, you will note on your blog that



This way you do a service to readers and do not foreclose the fastest growing segment of the publishing industry.

You know, that is a great idea as well.

I've seen a few of your posts where you say that authors get upset when told that they need to correct typos...let alone major editing issues.

Yeah, I think I'll stay far away from that.

[Lazybones]

I can understand disagreeing over an interpretation of grammar, but typos? Maybe it's because I worked as a journal editor in grad school, and my wife does editing as part of her job, but I can't understand an author that would choose not to fix something that was obviously and indisputably wrong. A few readers have found mistakes in my books over the years, and I always fix them and thank them for their time and attention.

[innogen]

I'm writing a novel; the genre is literary fiction. Should I hire a developmental editor, copyeditor or proofreader?

[rhadin]

Originally Posted by innogen

I'm writing a novel; the genre is literary fiction. Should I hire a developmental editor, copyeditor or proofreader?

I think the answer is all 3 at the appropriate time. The developmental editor will help you work your manuscript into its best possible literary form. The copyeditor will help you with grammar and spelling. The proofreader will make sure that no last minute errors have crept in and that there are no unresolved issues.

Each performs a different function and each contributes differently. If you cannot afford all 3, then I would hire in this order: developmental editor, copyeditor, proofreader. The better the story, the more tolerant readers will be of the errors.

[VydorScope]

Originally Posted by innogen

I'm writing a novel; the genre is literary fiction. Should I hire a developmental editor, copyeditor or proofreader?

My suggestion.. focus on finishing the novel first.

[Nancy Fulda]

Originally Posted by VydorScope

My suggestion.. focus on finishing the novel first.

I agree. If this is your first novel, focus on finishing it first. At that point, you can look for an editor to help you bring it to its full potential.

Some authors can benefit from a developmental edit in the early drafting or even in the outlining stages, but IMO that kind of feedback is most useful for authors who've written several novels or dozens of stories, and have a good feel for the process of story creation.