Editing . . . The MOST important stage of any publication
Why is this so important? Why is it absolutely critical that all authors, and particularly 'indie' authors get over this potential hurdle? Well, in a nutshell . . . it just is. You can't do it all yourself, you can't expect in this modern day and age to succeed with anything that doesn't meet a professional standard because the competition is so great from those who have made sure they've gone through this process properly. If everything is done to a high standard your book will probably sell, but it might take a long time. Successful works of fiction are often slow burners in their infant days. You have to treat the publication of anything you are remotely hoping to be successful over the long term as an investment. Good professional editing does cost, and you won't make your money back with a few sales, but your book, if it is good, can and should be around for years into the future. Getting all the parts of the process right at the time of publication can make all the difference.
Making sure your manuscript goes through a thorough editorial process is a long term investment.
I'm going to hold my hands up here right away before I even get started telling you how my team and I can help with editing your final manuscript, and if this is the longest and most wordy page on this part of the site, I make no apology; you need to take it all on board.
You see, I made the same mistakes at this stage that a huge number of other indie authors have made . . . and are still making! I rushed things with my first book and didn't get it all done properly. It wasn't just that I couldn't afford the £400 plus for a professional editor, more it was that I didn't understand the importance of the process. What I should have done is assess my priorities. What many writers need to understand is that there is a huge variance of editorial services being offered and you really should consider what you really need and when you need it.
There are basically two types or levels of editing: a Line edit whereby all spellings, punctuation and grammar will be checked, and a fuller Line, Copy and Content edit whereby all aspects of the writing are given consideration. Bearing this in mind there are a few options you might like to consider before parting with any cash:
• You can pay for a professional editor and if you do so you should be able to completely trust the results you get back, but only if there is more than one person thoroughly going through your manuscript - this will always be costly. If you can afford this option then go for it, but be absolutely sure you know what you are getting. Copy and content editors will vary but generally can offer anything from a straightforward proofread, through to a line edit and will also offer highly qualified and extensive advice on all aspects of your writing including plot imbalances, character development and fresh ideas for improvement. However, be warned - even a short manuscript, (20,000 words or less), can be expensive and beyond the initial budget planned by many authors. Equally, be wary of paying for extra 'rounds' of editing that you are going to need but haven't been quoted for in the original price.
• You can choose to have just a line edit; your manuscript will be grammatically corrected to either English or American/English. To some extent you can choose to adhere to a particular version. There are definitely some specific considerations required here.
• You can choose to have a complete line, copy and content edit (recommended); This would mean that every aspect of your short story, your novel, your poetry collection, your biography of your Great aunt's estranged husband . . . whatever, will be scrutinised, and solid advice given and suggestions made for improvements.
• You can specifically request that more than one authority look at your work (or you can pay more than one provider to do so). This way, you get more than one pair of critical eyes looking through your manuscript with a positive attitude taken towards any suggestions they make.
ALL the final decisions MUST be yours as the Author, but I believe you should give yourself the best opportunity to make this a worthwhile, cost effective and above all, non-regrettable part of the process.
But here's the problem . . .
. . . you NEED as many pairs of eyes, as many separate views of your manuscript - as many rounds of editing as you can possibly get whilst keeping everything within budget, and even paying out for just ONE professional editorial service is going to cost quite a bit.
We can Help You . . .
We've identified that the most important part of the process, whether you submit your work to us or anyone else, is to do it at the right time, and that is when you have completed your manuscript and feel it's ninety-eight percent ready . . . it won't be . . . but that's where we can help. Of course we are happy to get involved at any stage and will gladly edit a free sample for you even if you're not ready with a full manuscript just yet, just send a sample up to 2000 words and we'll give it a full line and copy edit. But, when you feel it's ready, and you have checked your work until you're blue in the face - sick of looking at the darn thing and certainly blind from seeing any more errors - that's when we can help.
We will ensure that everything we receive is thoroughly scrutinised by more than one individual.
Whether it's just a quick line edit or a full line/copy/content edit that you've requested we will make sure your work will receive the most critical part of the editorial process - several pairs of eyes thoroughly going over it.
Who are we?
The team is made up of two english undergraduates; one also an author, an experienced beta reader who has proved an invaluable asset to us in the past, and myself - a fellow author who has experience with self-publishing and editing copy.
We are NOT adorned with a mass of academic qualifications nor do we pretend to be, but we believe that we do have what's required to see you get a successful thorough and affordable service.
If you have qualified friends, family, people who will look at your work with honesty for no charge or very small renumeration then use them. These people, although in reality are actually NOT easy to come by, are invaluable. If you have folks you can rely on for this then they should form your first round of editorial advice.
What we will do is treat your work as seriously as you do and apply our skills with enthusiasm. We enjoy providing this service for authors and passionately want to help you make your book the best it can be.
We will ensure that everything we receive is thoroughly scrutinised by more than one individual.
Whether it's just a quick line edit or a full line/copy/content edit that you've requested we will make sure your work will receive the most critical part of the editorial process - several pairs of eyes thoroughly going over it.
Who are we?
The team is made up of two english undergraduates; one also an author, an experienced beta reader who has proved an invaluable asset to us in the past, and myself - a fellow author who has experience with self-publishing and editing copy.
We are NOT adorned with a mass of academic qualifications nor do we pretend to be, but we believe that we do have what's required to see you get a successful thorough and affordable service.
If you have qualified friends, family, people who will look at your work with honesty for no charge or very small renumeration then use them. These people, although in reality are actually NOT easy to come by, are invaluable. If you have folks you can rely on for this then they should form your first round of editorial advice.
What we will do is treat your work as seriously as you do and apply our skills with enthusiasm. We enjoy providing this service for authors and passionately want to help you make your book the best it can be.
EDITORIAL OPTIONS
We have packaged the important parts of the process together into two options. With what we offer here you don't have to worry about additional costs. Pick what you require from the lists below, and if you want a slightly adjusted service we'd be only too happy to discuss it with you.
1. STANDARD LINE AND COPY EDITORIAL
You have completed your manuscript and are completely happy with the content, (you've probably already had it read by someone else and may have made some necessary alterations to the text already). You now want a second and third pair of eyes to go through it with a tooth comb line by line making sure it all makes sense, and is grammatically correct and ready for publication.
• Your manuscript will be subjected to a thorough line edit and proof read by at least two members of our team.
• Copy will be checked for 'good flow' assuring that all spellings, grammar, sentences and paragraphs are well
constructed.
• Copies of your manuscript returned (digital files): 1) as submitted 2) with highlighted amendments and comments
concerning grammar, punctuation and spelling.
• The turn around time is a minimum of two weeks (short story or novella), and six weeks for a full length novel.
(These times are subject to current workload and are to some extent negotiable).
• Your manuscript will be subjected to a thorough line edit and proof read by at least two members of our team.
• Copy will be checked for 'good flow' assuring that all spellings, grammar, sentences and paragraphs are well
constructed.
• Copies of your manuscript returned (digital files): 1) as submitted 2) with highlighted amendments and comments
concerning grammar, punctuation and spelling.
• The turn around time is a minimum of two weeks (short story or novella), and six weeks for a full length novel.
(These times are subject to current workload and are to some extent negotiable).
£105 for first 20,000 words, then £40 per 10,000 words
2. FULL LINE, COPY AND CONTENT EDITORIAL
Your completed manuscript needs a standard editorial line edit as described above but you also require the entire copy to be reviewed.
Suggestions regarding correctness of the use of language and flow of the text will be made for your consideration to accept or disregard accordingly.
We'll also give thorough consideration to the content, and suggest any development or changes that could be made to the themes or ideas. This will include style, tone, word choice, and sentence structure.
We will also have a hard look at elements such as plot, dialogue, and characterisation, structure, strength of argument, and clarity.
• Your manuscript will be read by at least three members of our team.
• It will receive a thorough line and copy edit throughout.
• You will be given a detailed report/review (MS Word and PDF) regarding the basic content of your manuscript and our
editorial perspective as to what should or could be given strong consideration for improvement.
• Copies of your manuscript returned (digital files): 1) as submitted 2) with highlighted amendments and comments
concerning grammar, punctuation and spelling.
• A second round of proof reading and a further written appraisal/recommendation when initial alterations have been
made by you if and as required. (This must be within 90 days of returned submission.)
• The turn around time is a minimum of four weeks (short story or novella), for longer works talk to us to agree a schedule.
Suggestions regarding correctness of the use of language and flow of the text will be made for your consideration to accept or disregard accordingly.
We'll also give thorough consideration to the content, and suggest any development or changes that could be made to the themes or ideas. This will include style, tone, word choice, and sentence structure.
We will also have a hard look at elements such as plot, dialogue, and characterisation, structure, strength of argument, and clarity.
• Your manuscript will be read by at least three members of our team.
• It will receive a thorough line and copy edit throughout.
• You will be given a detailed report/review (MS Word and PDF) regarding the basic content of your manuscript and our
editorial perspective as to what should or could be given strong consideration for improvement.
• Copies of your manuscript returned (digital files): 1) as submitted 2) with highlighted amendments and comments
concerning grammar, punctuation and spelling.
• A second round of proof reading and a further written appraisal/recommendation when initial alterations have been
made by you if and as required. (This must be within 90 days of returned submission.)
• The turn around time is a minimum of four weeks (short story or novella), for longer works talk to us to agree a schedule.
£280 for first 20,000 words, then £60 per 10,000 words
PLEASE NOTE: There are lots of people that 'have a bash' at the editing process who are not qualified to do so. As I said at the top, in all honesty, we fall into that category, and you should always seek a qualified professional editorial service if you can afford to do so. However, what we offer is a very thorough service that will provide you with sound copy suitable for publication. Our feedback will be subjective, (as in truth are all editor's), but it will always be the result of many hours work and several experienced reader's honest opinions.
PLEASE NOTE: There are lots of people that 'have a bash' at the editing process who are not qualified to do so. As I said at the top, in all honesty, we fall into that category, and you should always seek a qualified professional editorial service if you can afford to do so. However, what we offer is a very thorough service that will provide you with sound copy suitable for publication. Our feedback will be subjective, (as in truth are all editor's), but it will always be the result of many hours work and several experienced reader's honest opinions.
We are more than happy to discuss custom terms, if you would like to know more please get in touch:
Contact me by email at [email protected] to begin the process
Contact me by email at [email protected] to begin the process
