Hi, Writergirl,
I have been working on
a book about a friend that survived the Holocaust. I am 97% done, in
my inexperienced opinion. I plan to self publish the book via a web page
dedicated to her. I am very close to the story and need an objective
review, so that I can tweak what doesn’t work. Are you able to suggest an
experienced reviewer who would be willing to provide constructive feedback?
a book about a friend that survived the Holocaust. I am 97% done, in
my inexperienced opinion. I plan to self publish the book via a web page
dedicated to her. I am very close to the story and need an objective
review, so that I can tweak what doesn’t work. Are you able to suggest an
experienced reviewer who would be willing to provide constructive feedback?
Her story is
historically significant, and I want it to be a good representation of her
experiences and her life. Thank you for any advice or suggestions you can
share.
historically significant, and I want it to be a good representation of her
experiences and her life. Thank you for any advice or suggestions you can
share.
Claudia
“It ain’t what you don’t know that gets you into
trouble. It’s what you think you know that just ain’t so.” The man who
said was Henry Wheeler Shaw, aka Josh Billings. He kicked around at the same
time as Samuel Clemens, aka Mark Twain, doing more or less the same thing, being
witty and smart.
trouble. It’s what you think you know that just ain’t so.” The man who
said was Henry Wheeler Shaw, aka Josh Billings. He kicked around at the same
time as Samuel Clemens, aka Mark Twain, doing more or less the same thing, being
witty and smart.
I can’t say for sure, Claudia, but I think he recognized as
you and I do that a good editor can steer you around a whole lot of trouble. That’s
what you’re after, love – an editor, not a reviewer. Someone to dish up large
helpings of constructive feedback without caring who’s at the table or whether
they’re hungry.
you and I do that a good editor can steer you around a whole lot of trouble. That’s
what you’re after, love – an editor, not a reviewer. Someone to dish up large
helpings of constructive feedback without caring who’s at the table or whether
they’re hungry.
Flash yourself a big smile for hitting the 97 percent mark
on your draft. That’s no small achievement. On your next pass through, flash
another. You’re a good friend and a smart writer for seeking an editor so that
your friend’s life will be honored.
on your draft. That’s no small achievement. On your next pass through, flash
another. You’re a good friend and a smart writer for seeking an editor so that
your friend’s life will be honored.
There are two kinds of editing. You want both. In
industry-speak, the first is developmental editing – macro, some call it. It’s the
big picture stuff. How the pieces fit. What’s over and underexposed. The parts
that made perfect sense when you wrote them but then somehow got twisted around
on the page. On a project like yours, you might also want fact-checking. You
want all this big feedback first, to make sure your book has its legs.
industry-speak, the first is developmental editing – macro, some call it. It’s the
big picture stuff. How the pieces fit. What’s over and underexposed. The parts
that made perfect sense when you wrote them but then somehow got twisted around
on the page. On a project like yours, you might also want fact-checking. You
want all this big feedback first, to make sure your book has its legs.
Then it’s on to the line edits, aka micro-editing, the
nitty-gritty of making sure your words and sentences are pulling their weight
without calling undue attention. Proofreaders and copyreaders correct your
grammar, spelling, and punctuation. Good ones heft around dog-eared copies of TheChicago
ones don’t stop at correctness. They help you with style and voice. They show
you how with a few adjustments, a sentence can go from Plain Jane to Greta
Garbo.
nitty-gritty of making sure your words and sentences are pulling their weight
without calling undue attention. Proofreaders and copyreaders correct your
grammar, spelling, and punctuation. Good ones heft around dog-eared copies of The
ones don’t stop at correctness. They help you with style and voice. They show
you how with a few adjustments, a sentence can go from Plain Jane to Greta
Garbo.
If you’re lucky, you’ll find one person who can do both
types of editing, preferably with some time in between for you to respond to suggestions. If you can’t find one person who’s good at both, two will do. We’re
talking professional editing here. It will cost you. Figure $35 an hour for
straight copyediting, ten pages give or take in an hour; $50 an hour for the
all-in-one package of developmental and line edits.
types of editing, preferably with some time in between for you to respond to suggestions. If you can’t find one person who’s good at both, two will do. We’re
talking professional editing here. It will cost you. Figure $35 an hour for
straight copyediting, ten pages give or take in an hour; $50 an hour for the
all-in-one package of developmental and line edits.
Where to find a good editor? Ask around. Do a Google search.
Try the Editorial Freelancers Association. The Independent Editors Group. Check
back with this Writergirl post to see if any of our lovely readers have offered
up help.
Try the Editorial Freelancers Association. The Independent Editors Group. Check
back with this Writergirl post to see if any of our lovely readers have offered
up help.
Once you zero on a prospect, don’t be shy, love. Check
resumes and references. Before you start paying by the page, talk with your
prospective editor, if only by phone, to make sure you two are on the same page.
resumes and references. Before you start paying by the page, talk with your
prospective editor, if only by phone, to make sure you two are on the same page.
Small budget? In APE:Author, Publisher, Entrepreneur – great resource if you’re self-pubbing –
Guy Kawaski recommends crowdsourcing, niche communities, and enlisting people
you know to supplement whatever professionals you can afford.
Guy Kawaski recommends crowdsourcing, niche communities, and enlisting people
you know to supplement whatever professionals you can afford.
An objective review. A good representation of your friend’s
experiences and her life. That’s the right stuff, Claudia. Good for you for
going after it.
experiences and her life. That’s the right stuff, Claudia. Good for you for
going after it.
Truly yours,
Writergirl
