There are two facts about hiring an editor which are equally true: a professional editor can substantially improve your book, and hiring a professional editor to do a full range of edits is a cost not every author can afford. Sadly, too many authors think this means they can get away with hiring an amateur at cut-rate Read more about 5 Ways to Improve Your Novel Before You Hire an Editor[…]
November means NaNoWriMo for huge numbers of writers, and if you’re one of them, take a look at the 5 tips that most help me when I’m trying to get words on the page: If you can’t write, sleep. This is the rule I live by, and convincing myself to do it has resulted in Read more about 5 Tips for NaNoWriMo 2018[…]
I was recently asked If I hire you to edit my novel, what are your terms on copyright and editorial acknowledgment (say if there are 2 or more editors)? My answer was simple: there aren’t any. When you engage an editor, you’re buying “work for hire”, whether that’s specifically stipulated or not. You pay me to edit your Read more about Ask the Editor: Does an Editor I Hire Own Rights to My Work?[…]
In addition to developmental editing and many other services, I currently offer two levels of line editing (also called copyediting or CE). Copy (line) editing, light includes correcting spelling, grammar, punctuation, syntax, and word usage; checking for or imposing a consistent style and format. Copy (line) editing, heavy includes correcting spelling, grammar, punctuation, syntax, and Read more about Sample Edit: Simple Line Edit vs Heavy Line Edit[…]
I edited a children’s book a few months ago. It was probably exactly what you’re picturing: less than 1000 words, and meant to be heavily illustrated. I did a two-part developmental package for this client — we worked together to review and revise his overall plot and characterization, and when he was satisfied, I did Read more about Recent Work: Children’s Book[…]
trig·ger warn·ing noun a statement at the start of a piece of writing, video, etc., alerting the reader or viewer to the fact that it contains potentially distressing material (often used to introduce a description of such content). We’ve seen a lot of discussion over the use of trigger warnings for a reader or viewer, Read more about Editing Tips #5: Should You Trigger Warning Your Editor?[…]
Before I can edit I story, I have to know a few things. I have to read it over to get a sense of the author’s voice (editing means making the story better, but that doesn’t include making it not yours anymore). I also need to know where the plot ends, so that I can Read more about Editing Tips #4: Who’s Telling the Story?[…]
Whether you have a story accepted at a magazine or you’ve hired an editor to help you smooth off the rough edges on your current wip, you will eventually be working with an editor. The kind of editor you hire, or the type of editing that’s done to your work, depends on whether it’s sold Read more about Editing Tips #3: Know What You’re Getting When You Have an “Editor”[…]
I’ve been asked to post some editing tips for people in the process of revising their own work. Most editing notes are universal — applying equally to people editing a short story or those revising their novel. You don’t have to follow every one of my suggestions, but if you at least consider them, your Read more about Editing Tips #2: Personal Style Guide[…]
As technology advances, we often lose the manual skills that tech is meant to replace. Even knowledge fades away as new techniques are developed. How many of us have the Dewey Decimal system memorized anymore? Know how to rebuild a carburetor? How about canning your own jellies, sewing a quilt by hand, or raising chickens*? If we’re Read more about Editing Tips #1: Proofing and Edit Marks, A Primer[…]