Editing

[Curtis]

Im sitting at about 12,000 words. I know I have quite a bit to go. I was wondering how other writers in the group went about editing their works. Do you have friends or family read it as you are working on it? Professional services? Just curious!

[M.I.]

Depends what you mean by editing. Are you talking about proofreading, copy-editing, or commenting on the book itself?

Proofreading can be done professionally or by a friend who is very particular about grammar and capitalization, etc.

Copy-editing is different, and more or less should never ever be done by someone who has not done it before. Copy-editing can ensure there is consistency throughout the book, ensure you don't get off on too many tangents, make it more readable, see that the chapters are balanced, and much more.

As for giving it to family or friends to comment on, I strongly advise you never give it to anyone until it is finished AND when you give it to them, don't just say "tell me what you think" as that is an invitation for a bashing. Instead best to say "tell me the parts you liked, and why, and tell me the parts you didn't like, and why. Let me know if some sections were very easy to get through and others were confusing. I need you to be specific." Also, don't give the book to someone who would not normally read something in that genre anyway. The idea is to give it to someone for constructive criticism, not a bashing session!

[A.F.]

Give it a through self-editing first (and involving some beta readers at the end of that process never hurts), and then professional editing.

[Feliks]

Join writer's groups (both on-line and in-person) and present small samples of your work.

[Stephen]

MI,
I'm lucky I have excellent in-house editing done by my wife - Khaled Housseini has the same. Nothing goes out of my house without my wife's stamp. We edit, proofread and copy edit for a year before the book is "done". Then the professional editing - done by the publisher - starts and takes another year. I give my wife 30 - 60 page samples to read - she does proof reading, copy editing and continuity editing. Those not as fortunate as I, will have to pay someone to do these things for you.
I don't self publish. But nothing goes to my agent - who does an edit job herself - until it is "perfect" not just done. And then it's another year and 3-4 more serious edits before you'll see it in the bookstores. So get comfortable with editing. And take "bashing" seriously. They usually have a good point. Sometimes not, but don't just dismiss it....

[M.I.]

You are fortunate that your wife is so capable and of course things are very different when you don't self-publish. I have published "scholarly" works through good publishers but have also done some self-publishing of non-scholarly efforts.

Nope, don't agree with you about the bashing. Most people don't know how to comment, and can make many an aspiring writer give up. Constructive crtiticism is always always welcome, but there is no room for general loose comments that leave the writer without some clear idea of what is wrong or disliked and how to fix it. Funny, as I just had read some reviews of the book Hild and it was interesting to see the wide range of comments.

So my advice to new self-publishing authors is to seek CONSTRUCTIVE criticism, not just any lambasting that anyone is willing to hand out. I think the comment someone made above about doing your own self-editing is of course the first port of call. Showing one's work to other aspiring writers might not always be useful, however, as some people only want to criticize.

[Stephen]

MI,
Good points. I've never really given a ms to someone I didn't know other than someone in the business. And it's really different when you have a literary agent. They will give you a lot of good constructive feedback that is best followed. And yes, I agree, constructive criticism is what you need. I find my wife points out what's wrong but pretty much leaves it to me to fix it. But getting a "bashing" doesn't sound pleasant. I know I've gotten a few bad reviews and those are no fun....

[M.I.]

Yes, giving a manuscript or part of one to persons unknown can be like throwing bait in the water for sharks.

You know, I just read your bio, and there is another author who was an MD and then became a psychiatrist and now is writing full time. He is a rather.....unique....person. Tim Willocks, most recently authored The Twelve Children of Paris and The Religion, but has written contemporary books as well.

[Marianne]

Very helpful comments. I am about 2/3 way through the second draft of my second novel and this issue is of top concern. Appreciate advice. May later ask for direction as to where one can find/hire a reputable copy editor. Thank you very much.

[Stephen]

Marianne,
My old editor from Simon an Schuster now does free lance editing. If you wish, when the time is right, I can give her your contact information...It will be hire. Good people don't give away their services..

[Marianne]

Wonderful. I worked with Humber College Creative Writing Department (Ontario, Canada)for my first novel. I hired a writer/editor and completed an extension program with editing my novel, etc as the objective. I don't want to repeat this for my current project and welcome your offer. Thanks so much, Stephen.

[Curtis]

Thanks a lot. You have given me some good ideas. Im now approaching 20,000 words, thinking about wrapping this one up around 30,000. I think once I am done I will give it a very slow, careful read over. After that I have a small group I may distribute copies to, have them look it over.

[Stephen]

Curtis,
What are you writing? 30,000 words is a very short book, a little over 1/3 of novel size. Just me, but I read carefully 2,3,4 times then let my copyeditor read it. Then I make her changes and edit a time or two again, then another copy edit. Her changes, one more edit and off to the agent. If you don't give it this amount of attention, I've found, it just won't come out right...

[Tony]

I just wanted to put a plug in for the best editor ever. We contacted Nina of Champagne editing and she told us it would be two weeks before she could start our project and that it would take two weeks to complete. I was amazed at her quote because it was less than most other editors, but she came well recommended so we booked. She started two days earlier than promised and it was indeed done in two weeks. (90,000 words with moderate editing – she might disagree. ) Her editing was efficient and detailed. We chose a full edit and made changes based on her suggestion as to content and execution as well. Our first novel , Post Grid, has been an Amazon #1 Best Seller in Western Science fiction for four months running! We will be using her for our upcoming sequel, no questions asked. Thank you Nina Champagne. http://www.champagne-editing.com/

[Marianne]

Thanks, Tony. I've checked Nina's website and will keep her in mind for an edit of my novel-in-progress. Appreciate the assistance as it's tough to know where to go. Congrats on your success and best of luck always.

Marianne Perry
Writing inspired by genealogical research to solve family mysteries.
http://www.marianneperry.ca

[P.J.]

Had a look at Champagne editing - no idea if this is reasonable price, but it's something I need to consider for my third novel. Also wondered if having an American editor can change the tone of the book if written in a British tone? Someone asked me that last year and it did get me thinking. My book Echoes was edited by an American and I didn't notice, but apparently others have?