Editors for the Low Income

[Jo Zebedee]

Maybe for the OP it would be useful to know what the editorial process offers.

To be very clear - I didn't pay anything close to what is quoted here.

My first developmental edit was with @Teresa Edgerton on what is now Abendau's Heir. She covered character arcs, story arcs, language used and clear guidance for the route forwards.

Later, Teresa edited the whole trilogy for me through Tickety boo and we worked on building on the first book. I didn't just learn things for Abendau but writing going forwards. Sone big tips, some little.

I then used Boneman for Inish Carraig and, again, this was the same process of indepth review and feedback.

Waters and the Wild had a publisher's edit following that same pattern.

The Dusty Zebra then copyedited for me, polishing, clarifying and removing my clunky sentences - which is vital on an edited book so that all the sections remain equally strong.

I have worked with beta readers, writing groups and critiques. They all have a role. But they are not the same as the editorial relationship. Not at all (except he who doesn't take payment above, with the twitchy ears).

Sometimes, hard though it is, we do need to invest and I would never publish without an edit and copy edit anymore than without a professional cover.

But you can get much better value out there.

 

[Steve Harrison]

My thoughts are that you get what you pay for, so a good editor will be very expensive as they are often the difference between amateur and professional quality.

Although it was a long process, because I am very cheap I took the traditional route and eventually got all the professional editing and other services for free.

 

[sknox]

@Biskit, another aspect of a robo-read is the fun you'll have listening to the reader try your invented words. It's a useful reminder that your readers will not all pronounce them the way you do.

 

[Lafayette]

Thank you all for your advice and insights. I will reread and study them all for I see wisdom in them and will employ most if not all of them.

One thing I'm going to do is look for beta readers. In the next few days I will be researching and taking notes on beta readers. I don't want to go into this area blind and unprepared.

Yesterday I turned down an offer from an assessment editor. He wanted over $1700. Like I said I don't have that kind of money.

Thanks again.