Editors and Writers discussion
On the hunt for an editor
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I recommend you finish a first draft and get it beta-read for FREE first by volunteers before shelling out bucks for a developmental edit. If you're still nailing down plot holes, etc. then you're flat out not ready to use an editor.A few bright beta-readers can take care of the issues you raised, and then, after you've sorted things out with a rewrite, then you'll be ready to hunt for an editor.
I've been at this professionally for 25+ years as both a writer and editor, and the single biggest mistake a writer can make is jumping the gun.
I know it's exciting to shop, you're eager to get the book polished and out there--but in this case you're setting off to market too soon. Give your fruit a chance to ripen!
Now, I could put myself forward as a developmental editor, I happen to be very good at it and have worked with Name writers you'll have read, but instead, take the freebie route for the present.
Get over to the Forums of ABSOLUTE WRITE. It's FREE to join and they have any number of beta readers who would be willing to swap titles with you. Trade opinions with others in your genre!
For free. Have I mentioned that enough? ;-)
Scroll down to the "Discussion" forum, which has the Betareaders subheading.
http://absolutewrite.com/forums/forum...
That said, if you want a critique of the first 2500 words, that's something I do on a donation basis. I'm raising funds to deal with a killer vet bill and writers pay what the critique is worth to them, starting at 15.00.
http://www.vampwriter.com/CRITIQUE.htm
But see about finding a few good betareaders first. Hang onto your cash until AFTER your second draft is complete.
I don't know about the other editors here, but I charge by the word, not page, so a final word count is needed in order to fix a price.
Take your time, don't be in a rush. The book will be the better for it!
P.N. Elrod
Amber: Listen to P.N.A lot of wisdom comes with her words.
And, I love the fact that great advice comes first (before any kind of soliciting) which I believe is the hallmark of a great editor as well as a fair & decent person.
P.N., I want to be just like you when I grow up!
Thank you! The trick is to never grow up! ;-)
Yeah, you should probably listen to P.N. before you listen to me, since she's got a lot more experience at all of this than I do. (wry grin) However, I also do beta reads for free and I'd love to get a look at your work and offer some advice.
I am a trained proofreader and an experienced copy-editor, and am willing to apply those talents to your book. I am going away for three days at the end of next week, and am currently reading a book but will be available by July 4th, if you're willing. I will read the first chapter or 250 words for free, for a sample to show you how I work, then you can decide. I charge .003/word for proofreading alone or .005/word for copyediting and proofreading. You can contact me at legal2b@yahoo.com. Thank you.Carol Tietsworth
Amber wrote: "Hey guys!I was working with an editor previously but their price range has soared wayyyy over my budget (think thousands) so I'm on the hunt for a more reasonably priced editor who can help me wi..."
Hi Amber,
How are you? First of all, congratulations on writing a novel! It's a fantastic achievement :)
My name is Katie-bree and I am a freelance editor/proofreader and have performed edits covering exactly what you listed above, many for fellow members on Goodreads. I would agree with P.N, definitely get a beta read, it's amazing the advise you can get from other readers!!
If you are still after an edit though my prices are very reasonable. I would quote about $300 for an entire edit for 60k words. Generally I work on Track Changes and I mark up grammar, spelling and minor comments etc in the margins. Meanwhile I give a generalised chapter by chapter analysis via email which lets you know how a reader may approach your work, any inconsistencies, plot holes, character comments or more complicated issues that may arise etc Finally, once completed I send you a thorough overall analysis. In other words I try to give you feedback from both an editor's and reader's point of view. I am more than happy to complete a sample edit for you free of charge. I love discussing writing so if you do want me to help you decide between two endings, or any other alternatives, then please don't hesitate to ask :)
I am available almost immediately, so if you're interested, would like any information or advise, or just want to chat please don't hesitate to contact me on dontgrumblegiveawhistle@gmail.com or PM me. I look forward to hearing what you decide to do and wish you all the best in your writing endeavours :))
when you are ready, I charge $3-4 per 400 words for editing. I will do a sample edit of the first two chapters to see if we work well together. if you are interested my email is sashivers@gmail.com. Best of luck with your work!
Oh, well :-) Why not? I'm an editor too. And it is good to get a free BETA Read first, and then maybe a paid BETA Read, and then a good paid editing, at a good price, from someone who won't take over you story :-) Take a look at my site...
its-your-story.weebly.com
Thank you,
Jim Dodds
its-your-story.weebly.com
Thank you,
Jim Dodds
Amber,I agree with PN. Finish up what you have, perhaps attach the alternate ending you are thinking of, and send it out to a several good beta readers. They will help you with a lot of those plot holes, character development, etc., as well as nailing down the ending. Otherwise, you will have to pay for a developmental edit, rewrite, and then pay for the finished manuscript to be edited again.
If you get the ending nailed down, it sounds like you are looking for a substantive edit. That's where an editor will help you with your actual story, the plot, the character development, etc. I have an introductory rate for new authors of $0.0032 a word for substantive editing. I steeply discount for incoming authors, but I don't raise my rates too sharply!
If you are happy with your story after you get it back from your beta readers to the point that you think you may only need a line edit (fluidity, readability, sentence and paragraph restructuring, repetitiveness, word usage, as well as the simpler copy edit), I also have steeply discounted rates for new authors, starting at $0.0024 a word for a series and $0.0030 for a stand alone novel.
Free samples of 2,500 words are available, email an attachment to drdemarse@gmail.com if you are interested.
Thank you,
Karlie
Hi Amber,I offer Crossroads Editing Service. I will paste information from my website below. I do have several clients booked for this summer, so I could schedule you for a specific week in September. However, if you had the manuscript done early, you could send it to me and I could work on it between manuscripts - there would just be a longer wait than usual.
Although I will edit Word files upon request, I prefer to edit hard copies of manuscripts.
That way I can jot down thoughts and make corrections as they occur to me and it adds a special personal touch to my service. This is how editors at publishing houses used to do it and I find that it’s much less intimidating for authors to look over edits in their favorite chair than to scroll through pages of comments on a computer screen.
Many editors charge separate fees for content editing and line editing. With me, you’ll get both for one low price. Clients will receive a lengthy editorial letter offering my overall thoughts on content, structure, characterization, pacing, dialogue, setting, and other elements of the story. In addition, I will also do some line editing, make notes of areas that could benefit from further clarification, and point out grammar and spelling mistakes on the actual manuscript pages. Be prepared to see a lot of handwriting all over your manuscript! When I say line editing, I don’t mean rewriting your book. However, you will see sentences tightened, repetitive words and cliches circled, suggestions for stronger verbs, and comments in the margins.
My specialties are adult mystery and suspense novels, romance, chick lit, contemporary fiction, and young adult.
Hard copies: Developmental and line edit. 75 cents per page first reading; 50 cents per page for each additional round of editing.
Word files: Developmental and line edit with Track Changes. $1 per page for each round of editing.
Pages should be double-spaced.
Repeat clients receive 10 percent off the first edit of each new manuscript, both hard copy and Word files.
I also offer a referral bonus.
More information and testimonials are at: http://stacyjuba.com/blog/editorial-s...
Please allow me to be the first to throw my hat in the ring in the hopes of becoming your editor; I offer a free 10 page trial and after that my rates run at $3 a page (1 page = 250 words) for basic copy/line editing.
I also offer developmental editing for anybody who needs help with working out any kinks in a story line at $3 a page.
Just drop me a message at er-ink_editor@hotmail.com and we'll get things started! I do ask for half of the cost up front and the second half on delivery of the work.