Comments on Women of Mystery: Do You Really Need a Freelance Editor?

Only wish I'd read your post a few months ago! In ...

2007-05-04T07:30:00.000-04:00

Only wish I'd read your post a few months ago! In December - in a moment of self-doubt - I put down a deposit with an editor for substantive editing, anticipating that I'd be finished shortly with my first novel. Since then (and no, I'm still not finished) I've revamped structure based on a lot of blood-sweat-tears and study of how to craft story, reinvented scenes and deepened the story's emotional arc, and have much more confidence in both myself and my critique group. What's more I now realize that the overwhelming majority of first novels end up in a drawer. Oh my.

Elaine,Great distinctions between the various edit...

2007-05-04T02:12:00.000-04:00

Elaine,

Great distinctions between the various editors in the biz - and the nod to critique groups was encouraging.

Matter of fact, between your post and Laura's I felt compelled to write about critique groups, too!

HAH! Oh, that's what I needed...I've had a very, ...

2007-05-03T22:29:00.000-04:00

HAH! Oh, that's what I needed...I've had a very, very long day, so I needed the "If you really have a few extra thousand dollars taking up precious space in your bank account".

I talked a while back about good and bad agents and editors (at publishing houses). The same holds true of copy editors.

Here's the thing: I'm a snob. Yes, I admit it. I want degrees. I want references. I want a website that looks professional (and doesn't have spelling errors). I know you don't want to toot your own horn, but you have a fabulous website. It shows your qualifications, it's well put together and it's easy to navigate.

And, as a bonus, the books you've edited have actually been published. (Not self-published, like those that several other freelance fiction editors showcase.)

If I ever have a spare few thousand dollars hanging around, after I go to the south of France, I'll hire you to line edit for me! Because I may be a snob, but I'm not a fool...a good editor is something everyone can use!