PUBLISHING 101 | Editing

There is so much more to being an author than thinking up a good (great) story and typing it out.

Many of us spend hours and hours researching before we even type a word. Once we have completed our work, it must be edited. Some self-edit. Others find friends who are pretty good and will do it for free. The rest of us hire an editor.

Types of editing

There are three types of editing. If you are lucky enough, you can find one that will do all three.

Copy editors check the facts and will usually correct errors in spelling, grammar, punctuation, and style. They often edit your text to make it tighter and easier to read. Copy editors may suggest changes to the book. If you are lucky, you may find a copy editor who is also a proofreader.

A proofreader simply makes sure there are no typographical errors or scene errors. He checks your spelling, your grammar and your punctuation. A proofreader may point out that you spelled the main character's name Jaydon on page 12 and Jayden on page 17. A proofreader takes care of every comma, colon, question mark, quotation mark. Proofreaders often work on a hardcopy of the book, but it can be done on the computer. I personally find that working from a hardcopy from the proofreader is much easier.

A content editor is concerned with the overall content of the book. Are your characters consistent all the way through? Have you developed your characters as needed? Does your plot lag in places? Is your timeline consistent? Does your story flow well or may there be a better way to build suspense?

Finding the right editor can be a little like finding the right pair of shoes. You want to be able to look good, be comfy, and not spend a penny more than you need to.

So how do you find an editor that fits well and doesn’t cost an arm and a leg?

First decide what you are looking for

Are you simply looking for a proofreader to make sure you don’t have any spelling or punctuation errors? Do you need a copy editor who will also help with your style and format? Do you need a content editor who can help with the overall content of your book? Know what you are looking for before you start your search.

Start with online writers forums. Writer’s Digest (www.writersdigest.com/forum ) and Absolute Write (http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/ ).

You might also want to check eLance or oDesk. ( www.elance.com or www.odesk.com ). Finally you can check the Editorial Freelancers Association (www.the-efa.org ).

Once you have your list of five or six editors to contact, check their websites. Do they give you a warm and fuzzy feeling or make you cringe? Contact the ones you feel good about. Ask if they are taking new clients, what type of editing they do (proofreading, copy, or content editing). Ask what their rates are and if they offer a sample edit. Some editors will offer a free one page some may charge a small fee to edit one chapter. Ask how long it will take to do a sample edit.

If they don’t reply in 48 hours, cross them off your list.

If you get a sample edit, there are several things to note:

1) Did they get the sample to you on time?

2) Is the editing done the way you wanted?

3) Did the editor offer any advice that feels right?

4) Did they seem excited about your work or did they come across as bored?

You will now have three or four prospects. Ask each of them:

1) If revisions cost extra.

2) How soon will they be able to get to your book?

3) If they did a sample, ask what their overall thoughts were.

4) How soon they will be able to start editing your book.

What’s it gonna cost?

There is a huge price range for editing services, but you can expect to pay:

1 – 2 cents per word for basic proofreading

2 – 4 cents per word for line editing or copy editing

4 – 8 cents per word for content editing.

The editorial Freelancers Association has a page that lists common editorial rates here: www.the-efa.org/res/rates.php

Hiring an editor can take a chunk of change out of your pocket. If you simply don’t have the money, look to your friends and family. My sisters edited my first book. Between the three of them they found many small errors. After I corrected the errors, I published my book. It wasn’t perfect (I have since had it edited) but three extra sets of eyes did find the blatant errors.

We have to do what we have to do. If you can’t afford an editor, find a way to get the job done.