Minor language warning
Well, it’s been some time since I have posted another C.O.W., though you think I would be milking this topic. Hah! Hah…I need a drink. Anyhow, to catch up here is the last post where we discussed literary consultants. I apologize for not writing the follow up sooner, but I’ve been knee deep in marketing, and trying to garner reviews for my novel. On the plus side, I have more stories to tell.
For this next two-part post, we are going into the overall editorial shebang. We’ll tackle the search, the actual process, and the best liquor to drink when reading that first critique*. To note, this step occurs after my own edits. Everyone has their own writing process, and I don’t think it is terribly interesting going into mine. Any how, let’s get things rolling.
There’s no special trick to finding an editor. Toss a rock out there in google-land, and you are bound to hit at least twenty on the first page. The key is knowing what sort of edit you need and meshing that with the editor’s specialty. Personally, I would recommend having beta readers tackle the rough draft first. But that’s not what I did, no, this series after-all is an ‘honest look-back’** at the writing journey of my debut novel, Curses of Scale.
To my credit I knew I needed a development edit for my debut. What that entails are a complete look at the plot, structure, and themes of the WIP. A good development editor will not only correct minor grammar issues but tell you what is working and provide help with the changes. Think of a him/her as your coach, guiding you on your best moves, and trying to keep your dumb-ass from drowning in the kiddie pool.
But there’s a lot of subjectivity as to what makes a good development editor. For my part, I spent several months scouring forums, reviewing testimonials before I found a match. What I was looking for was someone with the obvious knowledge, preference to my genre, and whom has experience with both the format of my writing (third person present) and Big Five publishing (always dream). Absolute Write is a good resource (though I’d advise not posting). As are the various writing groups on Facebook. Sometimes, for good leads. Sometimes to see what not to do. Either way, take advantage of any sample editing they may provide. This will give you both*** an idea if the relationship will work.
One thing that isn’t subjective: expect to spend some money. Tried, and tested editors don’t charge you a hundred dollars for the time intensive task of weeding through your soggy, maggot infested toss-off from a monkey pit manuscript. You are talking about at least a couple of weeks’ worth of eight-hour days – spread out over a few months – to do the deed. Somewhere in the range of a thousand is closer to what you should expect.
Once you’ve sold your liver, and pocketed enough green to get an editor on, next comes the waiting – I mean, the editing and reviewing. I’ll be going over that in fine detail with examples in my next post.
*Trick question, it’s anything that makes the words blur into happiness.
**Or a journal of my F-ups.
***Like in anything, it is a two-way street.
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