Roughseasinthemed’s Comments (group member since Feb 12, 2017)

Roughseasinthemed’s comments from the Navigating Indieworld Discussing All Things Indie group.

Back on topic. That's a similar rate ie £400/$500 to what I charge. And I still get people saying it is expensive. Yet, there are editors out there charging thousands for no different standard of work. Because surprise, surprise, editors also have bills to pay.

Some of us are trying to help the indie market by keeping our prices low. It doesn't help when authors put out books with loads of errors, it damages everyone. One of my authors had a review that said 'this story seems to have been well edited which is surprising for an indie book' (words to that effect). A shame that someone felt the need to say that.

Another author I know said she saved up for a couple of years to afford pro services – editing, cover design, formatting.

Some years ago, I did a blog post comparing editing rates, ranging from a few hundred to a few thousand. Cheap isn't always good, but neither is expensive. Shop around, buy wisely.

Why does it need to be 'growled'? Growls are literally grrrrr. I'd reword as with Carole's example. What are you trying to convey? Anger, or at least pent-up emotion/irritation? Then add some action that conveys that.

He hissed, growled, snarled, chuckled, sniggered etc are lazy ways of writing that detract from the actual dialogue.

As the person tangentially behind this post, I thought I had better comment!

Basically I agree with the extract and link. I am ambivalent about the 'action' tags that invariably are used as dialogue tags. Either way, I don't think they work well. He hissed, for example, sounds like a snake, just like he barked or growled sounds like a dog.

If you need a dialogue tag, said is fine. (It's a very basic but sound journalism rule.) If you want action or to introduce a 'beat', Carole's rewritten example is far better.

Hi Elina

I'm actually advising you from the editor's perspective as I know what I do, and what others do. (Or don't do.) One editor *should* be enough, or at least, my clients only use me. If you have had beta readers and you are worried about language then it sounds as though you want an editor/proofreader who will concentrate on nuts and bolts rather than one who looks primarily at big picture/content.

Some editors do everything, some specialise in one aspect, which is why I suggest you are clear about what you want and what they offer. I read a novel by an 'editor' who had actually had her book edited by someone else. I found around 200 errors.

A few, hopefully, helpful comments.

Do you want British or American style?

Your editor needs to know the difference.

Check out the national pay recommendations for UK and US so you know the going rate. Then work out what you want to pay and what you consider reasonable.

Make sure your MS is as clean as possible before you submit it.

Cheers Carole.

There is a big difference between an experienced editor who has been doing it for say, 20 years, and a teenager who can spell.

Every author needs to find something that works for them, but it isn't always first time round. So, be prepared to maybe change editors before you find a good fit.

I recommend you ask for a sample edit. Any decent one should do it for free.

Also, be clear about what type of editing they are offering, how many times they will read it, will they proofread it, and — what you want.

Recommendations are only as good as the perspective of the person making the recommend. So, can be good, can be mediocre.

Keep away from the dirt cheap, keep away from the thousands. You should be able to find someone decent in the hundreds.

Do look for experience and any qualifications.