Finding an editor

[Elina]

Hi,

I'm writing my first novel and trying to find an affordable editor. I have to admit that I'm a bit lost with it, so I'm turning to you guys for help! :)

This may sound like a stupid question, but how would I know if the one I'm asking for an offer is decent and good enough? I have looked up some of their previous work, of course, and there are no negative comments about their editing. Should I just trust the reviews and my 'gut'? Or should I always use an editor that someone I know recommends?

I don't want to use my money on an editor that does a poor job. And because I'm not native English speaking, I need a good one. :)

Do you know any good and affordable editors for YA fantasy novel? I would love to check them out.

-Elina V.

[Carole]

I've used professional editing on Createspace- paid a fortune and they still missed stuff. It may pay to have two rounds of editing with different people.

[Becky]

Elina wrote: "Do you know any good and affordable editors for YA fantasy novel? I would love to check them out."

I am happy to be able to name-drop and hopefully help you out all at the same time. I found a marvelous editor on Fiverr: https://www.fiverr.com/qdmerit.

She really helped make my stories shine and make me feel confident in sending them out into the world. I've sent her both children's stories and adult fiction. Send her a message to see what she can do for you. If you'd like, tell her I sent you. :) I'm "HouseofBeck" over there.

Even if you don't decide to go with her, Fiverr has been a treasure trove for me with its tiered packages, as my goodness, all the stuff you have to do when you're trying to be an author makes the writing part the EASY (and least expensive) part.

And congratulations on writing your first novel!

[Becky]

Carole wrote: "I've used professional editing on Createspace- paid a fortune and they still missed stuff. It may pay to have two rounds of editing with different people."

I've been wondering about Createspace's judiciously-offered services myself.

[Roughseasinthemed]

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.

[Carole]

"Do look for experience and any qualifications."


That's the best advice. Something always gets missed. I just sent in my newest book- a juvie chapter book- the first edit is for content, the second edit is for grammar. I had two beta readers check it first and I have two trusted reviewers who will read it again before publishing.
We still find stuff afterwards- it's like cleaning a fish- you always find those pesky bones buried deep.

[R.L.]

I can't agree more with all of the above. Recommended people are good but make sure you check them out thoroughly first

[Roughseasinthemed]

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.

[Carole]

Yep- some call themselves editors and all they are using is Grammarly.

[R.L.]

Carole wrote: "Yep- some call themselves editors and all they are using is Grammarly."

Yup!

[Roughseasinthemed]

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.

[Becky]

Very true: Check out reviews if there are any, years spent editing, etc. I was impressed and thought I'd take a chance, and was extremely fortunate. There is such a difference between just scanning for grammatical errors and really, really reading the story and understanding the sense of it and what you're trying to do.

[Carole]

Becky wrote: "Elina wrote: "Do you know any good and affordable editors for YA fantasy novel? I would love to check them out."

I am happy to be able to name-drop and hopefully help you out all at the same time...."

Just saw this post. Thanks. I will contact her for that final edit. ;)

[Elina]

Carole wrote: ""Do look for experience and any qualifications."


That's the best advice. Something always gets missed. I just sent in my newest book- a juvie chapter book- the first edit is for content, the seco..."

Carol, it's kind of nice and comforting to know that there's always something that gets missed. :) I am scanning my text through and my marvelous beta-readers are really cleaning it out. If only I had the chance to give it two rounds of editing but I'm afraid my budget doesn't allow it. :D

Roughseasinthemed wrote: "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, ..."

Thank you for good advice, Roughseasinthemed! You gave me many things I should put on my list when I'm asking for an editor. I'm such a novice and I'm so glad I found this group! :)

Becky wrote: "Elina wrote: "Do you know any good and affordable editors for YA fantasy novel? I would love to check them out."

I am happy to be able to name-drop and hopefully help you out all at the same time...."

Thanks, Becky! I'm nervous and excited about my first novel. And thanks for the recommendation, I will check her out. :)

[Roughseasinthemed]

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.

[Carole]

"Carol, it's kind of nice and comforting to know that there's always something that gets missed."
I've corrected books fours years after they've been published. That's the best part of indie publishing. You can fix and put it right back out there. We've had books that have won prestigious awards with glaring errors, which goes to prove- if a books is really good- it won't matter.

[Becky]

Carole wrote: "That's the best part of indie publishing. You can fix and put it right back out there. We've had books that have won prestigious awards with glaring errors, which goes to prove- if a books is really good- it won't matter."

VERY comforting indeed!

[Alexis]

I'm not a native English speaker either Elina so I feel your pain. Goodluck with the search!!

[Carole]

I think you speak English better than me, Alexis!!!

[Catherine]

Hi Elina,

There is great advice here already. Some additional things to consider are the style guide and preferences of an editor. Some editors use Press style guides, some use Chicago, some use other guides. Some editors swear by the oxford comma, semicolons, or M and N dashes and hyphens, some refuse to use them.

Also, the country an editor is located in can affect what style an editor assesses a manuscript from or issues the editor will be concerned with. Education and research can be widely varied. As differing as patterns of language and writing style or artistic preferences.

While there are some hard and fast rules in English, it's a very exception-based and creative language. That is both a blessing and a curse. It's best to request a sample edit and do your research into the editor - get references, resumes, and interview. You're hiring someone!

[Crystal Dawn]

Elina, I've sent you a private message. :)