Support for Indie Authors discussion

Hi everyone,

I recently joined this group and many of you have already been a great help so thanks! :)

I was wondering if somebody had a professional editor to recommend? My book needs a good edit and I'm looking for this gem of an editor to do an editorial review and comprehensive edit.

I am an editor. What kind of editor are you looking for - line, content, or developmental?

Maybe I can be of help. Please email me to discuss it: [email protected]

I recommend Susan Uttendorfsky of Adirondack Editing (www.adirondackediting.com)and Adele Brinkley of With Pen in Hand (withpeninhand.net). I've used both and have been very happy with their skills and professionalism.

Both are in high demand so you shouldn't wait until the last minute to contact them.

Helen wrote: "I am an editor. What kind of editor are you looking for - line, content, or developmental?

Maybe I can be of help. Please email me to discuss it: [email protected]"

Hi Helen, thank you for your offer. What I'm looking for right now is for an editor to take a step back and have a look at the forest (if this makes any sense?). Tell me if my story is worth a more comprehensive edit?

Peter wrote: "I recommend Susan Uttendorfsky of Adirondack Editing (www.adirondackediting.com)and Adele Brinkley of With Pen in Hand (withpeninhand.net). I've used both and have been very happy with their skills..."

Thanks Peter, I haven't came across them when I search the web. The timeframe is not much of an issue, writing is a hobby and I'm a very patient guy :)

Does anybody had an edit made by thebookbutchers.com or noveldoctor.com?

I wish I could afford ANY of those options. My first 3 books were done completely on my own, with only the wife to help edit.

Riley wrote: "I wish I could afford ANY of those options. My first 3 books were done completely on my own, with only the wife to help edit."

I can afford them (but not all of them :P) but I am still on the fence about it. If the story is bad, a million bucks in editing won't do a thing.

Sounds like you need a manuscript evaluation, Sim - it's a little more in-depth than a betaread and a little less intense than an edit.

One of the major differences between indie books and traditionally published books is the extent to which they have been edited for every aspect of the book--from content to copy. Finding a qualified editor is critical, but there will be an expense involved and most indies make the fatal mistake of telling themselves they cannot afford to pay an editor.

Peter wrote: "One of the major differences between indie books and traditionally published books is the extent to which they have been edited for every aspect of the book--from content to copy. Finding a qualifi..."

That sounds condescending, though I'm pretty sure it's not meant that way. I personally did not say "I can't afford an editor" Lightly. I made the choice after careful consideration of our limited amounts of funds and the amount of effort and my own time I have to put into the work. I'm not going to say, don't get an editor.
Get one, they help. I Just don't like how this came across to someone who literally is to poor to afford to pay an editor.

Riley: My comment was not directed at you, but a general statement of my belief. Each person must choose, but even great writers rely on their editors and so being far from great myself, I feel I must follow their lead.

In terms of "too poor," there are always options. Get a second job, stop smoking, give up the cable TV, borrow from a friend or relative, etc. Saying "I can't afford an editor," is a statement of denial. It means to me that the person won't admit s/he is making a choice not to use one.

I know I'm coming to this a little late, but for those interested in editing services, please check out my editing business: http://proofpositivepro.com. I offer a 10% discount to all first-time clients, and pricing is available on my site. I'm happy to do a 5-page sample edit. Hope to hear from you!

http://www.bookdaily.com/authorresour...

...I'll tell you what man, if you can tell me where I can afford to pay for rent, medical expenses, food, and an editor on a measly $700 dollars a month, I'll see what I can do.
Until then, you don't know everyone's situation, and they way you're approaching it is coming off very much so snobbish, the exact thing we're trying to avoid on these boards.
So, living however you do, with the options you have, it might seem that EVERYONE should have a chance to be able to pay for an editor.
But life isn't that way my friend, and some of us struggle daily just to survive.

Riley: I apologize if I've offended you. I've had my say and won't comment further.

I am one of those who work extra hard to edit my own work, but I have some small experience as a professional editor to fall back upon. Either way you decide to go, you need to bear in mind that writing down the words is the easy part: telling the story so your readers get it is the hard part. Editing is crucial to the latter. Do it any way you want, but do it well, or waste your time and money publishing.

Exactly, you need to put in the work if you're going to self publish with low funds. But either way, you can go back and fix crap, even if it takes you a million reiterations to the point where you can recite the entire book in your sleep.Charles wrote: "I am one of those who work extra hard to edit my own work, but I have some small experience as a professional editor to fall back upon. Either way you decide to go, you need to bear in mind that wr..."

I highly recommend Tara Alemany - [email protected]. She's a professional, and a genuine person.

Charles wrote: "I am one of those who work extra hard to edit my own work, but I have some small experience as a professional editor to fall back upon. Either way you decide to go, you need to bear in mind that wr..."

Haha for me writing down the words was not easy at all, each complete rewrites were painful and the thing of nightmares. But I enjoyed it and I still am, but you will never hear me say this was easy. :P However, I know no matter how much I already climbed, I still have a dangerous mountain left to conquer.

Just be upbeat and positive about it, be willing to learn from your mistake, and it'll be a good ride my friend. #SupportIndieAuthors!
Sim wrote: "Charles wrote: "I am one of those who work extra hard to edit my own work, but I have some small experience as a professional editor to fall back upon. Either way you decide to go, you need to bear..."

Riley wrote: "Exactly, you need to put in the work if you're going to self publish with low funds. But either way, you can go back and fix crap, even if it takes you a million reiterations to the point where you..."

I totally can recite the whole book in my sleep! This is now so bad I probably even recite my grammar mistakes! The important is to focus first and foremost on the story to tell, if the story is good, there will still be a time to polish it and make it shine down the road the day you will be able to afford the edit.

I don't know man, I tend to get it to that point and then start to submit. I love self publishing, but there is nothing like having a company accept your work and help you with aspects (like editing) that need to be perfected. I only really started writing books this past year, and yet I already have my 4th one coming out, with a 5th in the works, and a continuation of my original series as well. And each book is different in their own respects, and I can tell some I will NEVER take anything but the self-publishing route. I'm trying to think long term, as I attempt to turn this into a career.
I still think Christina Dodd said it best when she said, this. Write the crap, you can clean up crap.

Riley wrote: "I don't know man, I tend to get it to that point and then start to submit. I love self publishing, but there is nothing like having a company accept your work and help you with aspects (like editin..."

You are a prolific writer, I myself tend to be very slow.

Love the quote, thanks I shall happily write crap. :D

Ah, editing. One day... Until then I use crib sheets like the one I culled from reading Sol Stein.

Was going to post the whole crib sheet but realise that would vex his publishers. Read the master editor:

Sol Stein On Writing

Study the Oxford Manual of Style (or US equivalent). Keep it handy with a dictionary.

If there is an advantage to self-pub, it only takes a few minutes to upload corrections.

I think you will likely find style or grammar /punctuation 'howlers' in almost every book ever published?

Paddy wrote: "Ah, editing. One day... Until then I use crib sheets like the one I culled from reading Sol Stein.

Was going to post the whole crib sheet but realise that would vex his publishers. Read the maste..."

I have a book named The Element of Style (William Strunk Jr & E.B. White) maybe it's the US equivalent? This is one book that need to be studied and really fresh in your mind when reading the manuscript. I also read Self-Editing for Fiction Writers (Renni Brown and Dave King), I wholeheartedly recommend this one for bigger issues (show vs tell, POV, dialogues, etc...)

My problem is, I know my manuscript and story so well I now can't see anything clearly. In other words I need a second set of eyes.

Anyway thanks for the suggestions I will certainly look into it.

I finally have someone to offer up, and she's looking for new clients. She did a full edit for me, free, in exchange for a review of her services, and she did AWESOME! You can read about the whole thing here

I have a great editor as well. She is currently taking on new clients. Her name is Deb Hall and her website is (www.thewriteinsight.com) I highly recommend her. Let me know if you have any questions.

Sim wrote: "I have a book named The Element of Style (William Strunk Jr & E.B. White) maybe it's the US equivalent?"

Not sure, but I think the US equivalent to the Brit Oxford Manual of Style is the Chicago Manual of Style. It's that old, 'two countries separated by a common language' formally at work!

These books answer questions you may never know to ask...like when and when not to put a period after an ellipsis, as in, if a sentence is intended to trail off, no period is used after the ellipsis, but if the trailing sentence is an embedded quote at the end of dialogue, a period goes after the quote:

'I only said, "If we could...".'

I knew this not at all.

Folk leave spaces either before and after an ellipsis on a random basis in the same copy. I know, shocking.

There must be software out there program(m)ed to check the formal style guidance and let the writer choose from a list of red lined 'errors'? If not, somebody's missing out on a business opportunity.

Just make sure to read behind your editor. Thry arent perfect. I am currently reading Salems Lot and have found mistakes.

Hi Everyone,

My name is Katie-bree and I am new to this group but loving it so far. I am a freelancer offering beta reading, proofreading, copy editing and structural editing services for affordable rates. My service is efficient, professional, consistent and above all friendly. I have a few friends who are indie authors and am always willing to support/help in any way I can so if you're interested in having your work edited and want someone capable and interested in your work then please message me or shoot me an email at [email protected]. I also offer testimonials from others I have beta-read/edited for so you can see what I do. I'm looking forward to hearing from you and reading more of your work :)
Talk soon,
Katie-bree.

Hey Katie, feel free to put a post down in the Promotion area as well, that way this post doesn't get lost in the shuffle.

Where would this Promotion thread be Riley? I would like to post there as well.

It has it's own board here. it's labeled promote yourself.

Ah ha! Thank you. Completely missed it.

Thanks Riley, will do :)