{"id":15847,"date":"2016-10-25T01:00:41","date_gmt":"2016-10-25T08:00:41","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/writersfunzone.com\/blog\/?p=15847"},"modified":"2016-10-21T08:08:07","modified_gmt":"2016-10-21T15:08:07","slug":"finding-editor-chloe-adler","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/writersfunzone.com\/blog\/2016\/10\/25\/finding-editor-chloe-adler\/","title":{"rendered":"Finding Your Editor by Chloe Adler"},"content":{"rendered":"

Let\u2019s welcome back monthly columnist Chloe Adler<\/a> as she shares with us \u201cFinding Your Editor\u201d Enjoy!<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Writing a Series to Launch – Indy Self Publishing \u2013 One Author\u2019s Experience<\/strong><\/p>\n

The process feels overwhelming and that\u2019s because it is or can be. One step at a time, just like everything else in life, I often remind myself.<\/p>\n

I\u2019m a new writer<\/strong>, which does not mean I haven\u2019t written my whole life, it means I haven\u2019t published yet. That\u2019s my definition. I am in the learning phase about this process. I decided to hire an editor and cover designer. Could I rely on my critique group and beta readers to help me with what I needed to know concept wise? To help proofread? Sure but why? It\u2019s putting too much pressure on them and more importantly it\u2019s not their job. They are great but they are not experts.<\/p>\n

\"1696721\"It was clear to me from the beginning that I needed an editor but I didn\u2019t know what that meant or how to find one that I could afford. If you are like me and don\u2019t understand the different types of editors here is a great blog post that explains<\/a> them.<\/p>\n

I started asking around and found several recommended editors from other writer\u2019s in my RWA<\/a> group<\/strong>. However, they were all out of my budget charging between $1500 and $2000 for a developmental AKA substantive edit per book. I\u2019m sure they\u2019re completely worth it but I don\u2019t have that kind of money. Knowing almost nothing, I researched a lot, determining that I need a developmental edit, a line edit and proofreading. To spend $2K on just the dev edit, I\u2019d have to spend another $500 (or so) on line edits and another $300 to $500 on proofreading \u2013 totaling close to $3K before the cover artist and that\u2019s per book. I am planning to release four = $12,000. Not feasible.<\/p>\n

When I started asking around I also created an evernote listing all the editors, prices and offerings. Some editors will offer a free sample, for example they will edit 500 words for free so you can see their style. Others offer a sample for a lesser monetary fee, for example they will edit 1,000 words for $100. Obviously budget plays a big part for many people.<\/p>\n

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  1. Ask other writers, look in writing Facebook<\/a> or Yahoo<\/a> groups, ask or search in forums: Goodreads<\/a>, Romance Divas<\/a><\/li>\n
  2. Make a list with the name, website, contact info and price of each editor (if you know the price).<\/li>\n
  3. Contact each editor\n
      \n
    1. Questions to ask the editor:\n
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      1. What type of editing do you do?<\/li>\n
      2. Do you provide a sample edit? If so, how many words, what\u2019s your turn around and what\u2019s the cost?<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n