Proofing and Editing Services Offered

[William]

I usually only edit not more than one book a month.
(sorry, I love that sentence)
Sometimes less than that by choice. (based on various factors, like if I feel like it, if I'm bored, ... -- I'm not doing it for the money, or as a job, or as a career, etc. -- I mostly do it as a "Service to the Community")

My primary targets are independent authors who cannot afford a "real editor". (like I cannot)
But I will edit anyone.
If you can afford higher rates, you should probably obtain a "professional editor." (although, most likely, said editor would very likely not perform at and to the level that I do, so there's that)

I've edited books edited by "professional editors" and often found their work to be lacking. (and the authors paid a pretty penny for that insufficient work -- mostly you just have to hope you get lucky -- as we all well-know, good help is hard to find, in all areas of endeavor)

I'm not perfect, either, but, come on, really? (happens WAY too often)

Normally, I wouldn't suggest any author use an editor that charges the small fee I charge, UNLESS they can do what I can do, and there are very few out there that can, imh-onsh-o.

Ideally, I like to perform a pre-publication edit, literally the final step before publication, what I call a "Final Cleanup Forensic Edit." Just to catch all of those little things that other editors missed. (because that's what I can do, and do do, and I almost always find anywhere from a couple, to a handful, or worse, number of issues -- too often, much worse)

I'll end with an editing anecdote. I read a published indie e-book that I liked, but it had about 50 issues in it. It had been beta-read and edited by a "real editor" (supposedly a good one, and they probably were, in the greater scheme of things, as things are and tend to be), but NO book should be published with more than a couple of issues, and even that is too many.

So I contacted the author and asked them if they would like me to edit their book, noting that I had found "quite a few" issues. They replied that, "they weren't really looking for an editor, and couldn't really afford one at that time, but thanks." (somewhat paraphrased, to the best of my memory) Note that, as I later found out, the author "didn't believe I had found that many issues")

I went ahead and created the edit Notes document and sent it to them, saying, "If you find this worthwhile, you can send me some money, now or later -- if not, don't worry about it. If you can't afford it, go ahead and use the Notes to correct your book. No problem. The most important thing is that your book is properly edited."

Because I think a "good" book (any book, really) -- and I thought her book was a very good book -- deserves to be properly edited. Like I say, "As a writer and author, you deserve to have a nicely-edited novel. Your novel deserves to be properly edited.
Your readers and fans deserve to have a novel that is a joy to read with as few editing issues as possible."

After looking over my edit Notes document, she replied with "I need you to be my editor." And I am, and helped her with her next book, the work with which she was very happy, to say the least.

And I have had more or less similar responses to my work with the other authors I've edited. In which I take a certain amount of pride, as anyone would.

Check out my page that explains what I do, charge, etc.

http://www.donnelly-house.net/proofed...

[Lin]

Welcome to the group, William, but you might find you get on better if you don't come in with the attitude that you're so much better and cheaper than others, and have respect for other editors.

Editing is a highly skilled job, and editors bring a lot of experience with them, usually gained by editing many books over several years.

While there are a few editors around who are seeking to gain experience by offering cheaper services when they start out, and others who seek to offer a hand to those who need it, most editors have bills to pay and training costs to cover, and editing is a time-consuming activity. In order to spend enough time on a book to give it their best, they have to charge a reasonable fee.

A good editor will be willing to learn from others, will understand the publishing business, and will be able to offer advice beyond the basic editing.

[William]

Wadr, I merely wrote about my experience, which is valid, because it is what it is.

I have no real interest in "getting on" with anyone, other than authors who need a good editor they can afford.

There are many kinds of editors, and I am one type.

You may not like what I have to say, which is fine, but how dare you chastise me, or suggest that I am not a good editor because I don't follow the party line, or that I "[am not] willing to learn from others, [do not] understand the publishing business, and [do not and cannot] offer advice beyond the basic editing".

[Lin]

As a moderator of this group, I was welcoming you and pointing out that editors charge a fair price for a tough job. As an editor and writer, I was also trying to point the qualities of a good editor. I never said whether I felt you have those qualities or not, and by responding in a hostile fashion, you are not coming across as someone who is easy to work with, another important quality.

In a group for both editors and writers, it really isn't a good idea to come in and announce to everyone how much better you are than the professionals, or "professionals", as you insist on saying. I'm sure you'll agree that this gives a bad impression.