These are some of the most common questions writers have asked me about the process of editing. The answers reflect a general, ongoing quest for the most up-to-date knowledge based on the experiences of one freelance editor who also writes.
Here is a quick rundown:
Copy editor: This is one of the most misused terms in the business. Copy editing is the task of preparing a manuscript so that it can be rendered into a printable form according to either a) the standards of a given publishing house or b) self-publishing. A manuscript in a publishing track goes through various stages of content editing before being sent to a copy editor.
In-house: This kind of editor represents a publishing house, either by direct hire or subcontract. Some in-house editors preview manuscripts submitted by author or agent for consideration to be published. Then, they work with the author to polish the manuscript before it becomes a book.
Editing Agency or Service: These businesses have several editors available to work closely with (usually beginner) writers on manuscripts. These businesses often offer useful tips to help get the writer on track; join writing groups; ask questions; purchase products and learn about the many facets of not only writing but marketing. As is true of choosing an editor, a wise writer should research a prospective editing service with care before spending money.
Freelance: The freelance editor is directly engaged by the writer to edit a manuscript, so the only person such an editor works for is the author. There are many good freelance editors available and their fees vary, so a bit of shopping around is worth the time.
Developmental: The task of this kind of editor is to mentor, or partner with a writer to develop a story into a viable manuscript. This does not mean the editor takes over and does the writing (that would be “ghost writing,” which is a huge no-no for academics). Rather, the editor suggests, recommends, and offers several options which the writer might choose to develop.
Manuscript Reviewer: This person examines the whole of a manuscript in order to identify its strengths and weaknesses and makes recommendations on how to improve it without losing the unique voice of the author. A good reviewer is keenly aware of the specific goals a writer has for the work, and direct one-on-one exchange is important.
You are ready to engage the assistance of an editor:
Choosing the right editor is very important! Some things to keep in mind are:
There are as many responses to having a manuscript edited as there are writers! The first thing a novice writer usually experiences upon the return of an edited manuscript is shock to see it “bleeding” with red markups. The hard work of what it really means to write so that readers (other than friends and family) are engaged is one of great courage. But completing the first version of a story is only the first of many steps.
A good editor advocates for the integrity of the manuscript and so suggests, recommends and opens options for the writer to consider from the “other side of the forest” that couldn’t be seen because all the trees were in the way. However, the author should always have the final say.
The answer to this is both simple and daunting; spend a few moments to get to know the competition your book would face by going to bookseller websites and do a search of titles in any genre or topic. As of this writing, the genre of fiction thrillers is filled with several hundred thousand titles, and the top sellers are written by a relatively small number of big-name authors who already have their own devoted readers.
Detailed answers to these and many other issues on the art and mechanics of writing are explored in books (hard copy or PDF) available through Eretes Bloom. These books are continuously updated to reflect the rapidly-changing scene of literature. Specific questions may be briefly answered by contacting Eretes Bloom.