Post by K'Sennia Visitor on Apr 15, 2019 18:11:48 GMT
I have yet to use an editor since I don't have any money, but I just read an interesting thread on Kboards which will probably be locked soon. It's called "TERRIBLE EDITORS TO BE AWARE OF" which I thought was a great title. But the part of the thread I found most interesting was the editor who contributed.
They made a point that I thought all authors may want to be aware of when hiring any service provider. They said that turnaround times are just estimations, and that they have no way of knowing when they can actually finish editing your manuscript, and that being late by a few days is quite normal.
Freelance editors usually have a ton of clients and they don't always know what they're getting themselves into with a job. An author can make an appointment and then show up with a book that's twice as long as they originally said, or authors can be late, or the editor can get sick or have a family emergency, etc. And when editors are new estimating turnaround time can be really hard for them since they lack the experience to gauge it properly.
So just something to keep in mind when hiring an editor or proofreader - make sure you give them a wide window, don't be surprised if they're late, by a little, and until you know and have been working with an editor for a while, don't schedule tight publishing or promotional deadlines that are dependent on another individual.
Now if the editor is weeks or months late then you probably shouldn't use them again, and if they ghost you, I.E. quit communicating with you after you've paid them then leave that sucker bad reviews everywhere you can find to warn others.
Other tips are to never send a full manuscript to a new editor you haven't worked with before. Send a sample first to see how well you like their style. I think most editors offer a free sample of a chapter or two just for this purpose because it is equally frustrating for the editor to work super hard and have the author become enraged when they're done because the editor told them they use too many adverbs and adverbs are that authors style.
It can sometimes take a while to find an editor that you gel with, who gets you and your writing, but who also challenges you and makes your books better. Also there are lots of different types of editing and you need to be clear on exactly what type you want ahead of time to get the best result. Read the editor's website carefully and don't be afraid to ask questions about anything you're unclear about.
If both the author and the editor are new then things could get interesting since neither knows what they are doing yet, but as long as they both try their best, hopefully things will work out.
Another thing to consider is are you writing in British English or American? If you're from England and your editor is from the US and they are not well-versed in Britishims and proper English spelling then there could be a lot of unnecessary red marks.
When you get a manuscript back from an editor their comments are not commandments, but suggestions. Don't feel you have to accept them all. Consider the changes, try not to let your ego get in the way, but sometimes you will not agree with what your editor says and that's okay. It doesn't mean that either of you are wrong. You just disagree. If you disagree with an editor a lot then you may want to use a different one next time.
Final thoughts: editing is hell and people who do it for a living are blessed angels, but sometimes angels fall, and sometimes authors can be major diva godmakers who give all of us a bad name.
And as always if you've ever dealt with an editor you feel peeps should be warned about, feel free to do that here. Hearsay is fine as long as you say it's hearsay. And editors who feel there are authors whom other editors should be warned against or who have advice about how we can best make their jobs easier are free to post, as well.
They made a point that I thought all authors may want to be aware of when hiring any service provider. They said that turnaround times are just estimations, and that they have no way of knowing when they can actually finish editing your manuscript, and that being late by a few days is quite normal.
Freelance editors usually have a ton of clients and they don't always know what they're getting themselves into with a job. An author can make an appointment and then show up with a book that's twice as long as they originally said, or authors can be late, or the editor can get sick or have a family emergency, etc. And when editors are new estimating turnaround time can be really hard for them since they lack the experience to gauge it properly.
So just something to keep in mind when hiring an editor or proofreader - make sure you give them a wide window, don't be surprised if they're late, by a little, and until you know and have been working with an editor for a while, don't schedule tight publishing or promotional deadlines that are dependent on another individual.
Now if the editor is weeks or months late then you probably shouldn't use them again, and if they ghost you, I.E. quit communicating with you after you've paid them then leave that sucker bad reviews everywhere you can find to warn others.
Other tips are to never send a full manuscript to a new editor you haven't worked with before. Send a sample first to see how well you like their style. I think most editors offer a free sample of a chapter or two just for this purpose because it is equally frustrating for the editor to work super hard and have the author become enraged when they're done because the editor told them they use too many adverbs and adverbs are that authors style.
It can sometimes take a while to find an editor that you gel with, who gets you and your writing, but who also challenges you and makes your books better. Also there are lots of different types of editing and you need to be clear on exactly what type you want ahead of time to get the best result. Read the editor's website carefully and don't be afraid to ask questions about anything you're unclear about.
If both the author and the editor are new then things could get interesting since neither knows what they are doing yet, but as long as they both try their best, hopefully things will work out.
Another thing to consider is are you writing in British English or American? If you're from England and your editor is from the US and they are not well-versed in Britishims and proper English spelling then there could be a lot of unnecessary red marks.
When you get a manuscript back from an editor their comments are not commandments, but suggestions. Don't feel you have to accept them all. Consider the changes, try not to let your ego get in the way, but sometimes you will not agree with what your editor says and that's okay. It doesn't mean that either of you are wrong. You just disagree. If you disagree with an editor a lot then you may want to use a different one next time.
Final thoughts: editing is hell and people who do it for a living are blessed angels, but sometimes angels fall, and sometimes authors can be major diva godmakers who give all of us a bad name.
And as always if you've ever dealt with an editor you feel peeps should be warned about, feel free to do that here. Hearsay is fine as long as you say it's hearsay. And editors who feel there are authors whom other editors should be warned against or who have advice about how we can best make their jobs easier are free to post, as well.