(Really, it was a very nice motel in Hammond, Ind., but this probably isn't the message the innkeepers intended to send. Is your manuscript or query sending the message you intend?)Everybody needs an editor ...
(Really, it was a very nice motel in Hammond, Ind., but this probably isn't the message the innkeepers intended to send. Is your manuscript or query sending the message you intend?)
Emergency! When to dial 911 for a book doctor
So how do you know if you need a "book doctor"? It's not always an easy call. But since close-editing isn't exactly the highest priority in today's book-publishing landscape, more would-be authors could probably use it than ever before. Here's an essay by a former book editor that might help you decide if you should seek a book editor's help.By Sandi Gelles-Cole
Chances are, if you are checking out this web site, you are an author with an inkling that you might require editorial assistance. Of course, in the world of legendary editor Maxwell Perkins and novelist William Faulkner—or for that matter the world of Carole Baron and Judith Krantz, or many other contemporary editors and the authors they have worked with—it’s understood that every author needs an editor, just as every actor needs a director. Traditionally, the editor was provided by the publisher. But this is no longer the case. Editors who work for publishing houses have had their job descriptions changed over the past decade. Their mission now is generally to acquire books and help package and market them—not to edit them.
Maybe you’ve been getting the message that your book needs editorial work. The message may be coming from that nagging voice inside you, from your dearest friend and critic, from every agent you have submitted the material to, or even, if you are lucky, from a publisher who has committed to the book provided you improve it. No matter the source, if that message is reaching you persistently, then it is probably time to call the book doctor.
Read the rest of Sandi's advice by clicking here
Say ... Uh? What a 'book doctor' can't prescribe
There's no crying in baseball and there are no guarantees in book doctoring. Don't expect miracles, or even a warm fuzzy feeling. Our friends at publishing watchdog Writer Beware warn would-be authors to keep their expectations realistic. No matter how good your "book doctor" might be, he/she can't do these things:
- Provide a magic fix. Editing is a subjective process. There's no set "formula" for dynamic plots or well-rounded characters or even good prose style (beware of any independent editor who tells you there is). And even the most accomplished editor can't make a bad manuscript into a good one. As one in-house editor commented at a writing conference I attended some time ago: edited slush is slightly better slush, but it's still slush.
- Turn a good book into a potential bestseller. Again, there are no formulas for this. Bestsellers come in all shapes and sizes, and even publishers are sometimes surprised when bestsellerdom occurs (and when it doesn't). Only a dishonest editor will make such a promise.
- Ensure publication. Good editing may improve your manuscript, but finding publication depends on more than just the quality of your work. Effective targeting of your submissions, editors' judgment of readers' tastes, the perceived marketability of your book, and what the publisher is already publishing all play a part. An excellent, polished manuscript is essential, but it's just one piece of the total picture. There are no guarantees.
- Make literary agents and in-house editors more likely to look at your work. Agents and in-house editors know the limitations of editing. They're also well aware of how many underqualified and unscrupulous independent editors there are. Typing "professionally edited" on the title page of your manuscript, or mentioning it in a cover letter, will not improve your chances. In fact, it may harm them -- there are so many unqualified editors that agents and in-house editors may assume you've been duped.
Beginning writer? Please visit Writer Beware to learn about
how you can avoid some of the publishing industry's
more unscrupulous practitioners
how you can avoid some of the publishing industry's
more unscrupulous practitioners
Do you need a book doctor? Some good advice from Writer Beware
Lucky for all of us, a few watchdogs are working hard to keep unsuspecting authors from being fleeced. One such watchdog group is Writer Beware, which issues "warnings about literary fraud and other schemes, scams, and pitfalls that target writers." Here's what Writer Beware recently had to say about hiring independent editors, or "book doctors."
-- Ron Franscell
Hiring an independent editor can be an expensive proposition. A thorough content edit from an experienced, credentialed editor can cost several thousand dollars, pounds, or euros. A basic copy edit may cost several hundred.
Do you really need to spend that kind of money? Before you decide, it makes sense to investigate alternatives -- a sympathetic friend who's not afraid to criticize, a local writers' group or critique circle, an online writers' group, a creative writing course, an English professor at a local college, a professional writer with whom you're acquainted. Any of these may be able to give you the help you need, free of charge or at a fraction of the cost.
Still, there are circumstances in which hiring an independent editor may make sense:
- If the alternatives aren't easily available -- or if you've used them, and still don't feel you're getting the feedback you need.
- If you've begun submitting your polished ms. and are getting positive comments, but still are racking up rejections. Something's wrong, and you aren't quite sure what--or the rejections all seem to identify the same problems. Again, a good independent editor may be able to help.
- If you've written or want to write a nonfiction book on a subject in which you're an expert, but you aren't a professional writer. If your idea is marketable, an independent editor may be a good investment.
- If you've chosen self- or vanity publishing, or one of the non-fee-charging print-on-demand-based publishers with an open acceptance policy. Publishers like these may copy edit, but they don't do substantive editing--so if you want the benefit of that final professional scrutiny, you'll need to find someone to provide it.
What to Watch Out For
There are plenty of expert independent editors. However, there are also many who set up shop with little experience and few qualifications.
These individuals may be entirely well-meaning, sincerely believing that a love of reading, or a career as a teacher, or some technical writing experience, is enough to qualify them to edit others' work. But such people rarely possess the specialized skills, not to mention the industry knowledge, that are essential for a professional-quality line or content edit. Often they provide services that are little more than glorified copy editing or proofreading--i.e., things you could probably do yourself.
Still other independent editors and editing services are outright frauds -- Edit Ink, for instance, an editing firm that engaged in a kickback scheme with agents and publishers and employed underqualified staff to perform rudimentary, overpriced edits.
How to avoid editors like this? A few common-sense guidelines:
- Request a resume or CV. You're looking for professional editing experience (preferably with a commercial publisher) and/or professional writing credentials (legitimately-published books, articles, etc.). If the editor has a website, her CV should be posted there. An editing service should post staff names and biographies. Be extremely cautious of editors whose websites say nothing about their credentials, and of editing services that don't identify their staff.
For individual editors, membership in the Editorial Freelancers Association (US), the Society of Freelance Editors and Proofreaders (UK), the Institute of Professional Editors (Australia), or the Editors' Association of Canada are all indications of professionalism. - Ask for titles of some of the books on which the editor has worked. Commercially published books indicate professional experience and standing, though some good independent editors specialize in self- or POD-published authors (if that's the case, try to get hold of one or more of the books so you can assess quality). Again, if the editor has a website, the information should be available there.
- Be sure the editor's experience is appropriate to your work. Good editors specialize. Someone whose main experience involves nonfiction may not be the ideal choice to edit your epic fantasy novel.
- Verify that the editor really is independent, especially if you've been referred to him/her. No third party (such as a literary agent) should benefit from your use of the editor's services.
- Get references, and check them. This is important. Other than a recommendation from someone you trust, it's probably your best way to judge an editor's professionalism and effectiveness.
- Ask to see a sample of a critique the editor has written. This will give you an idea of what you'll be getting for your money.
- Before making a final commitment, speak or correspond with the editor. You want to be sure the editor understands your needs, and that you understand what the editor will do for you. You also need to feel comfortable with the editor--not just professionally, but personally--and she with you.
- Make sure the business arrangements are clear. You should know exactly what you'll be paying for, including the scope of the work to be done, the charges you'll incur, the approximate time period involved, and who will be doing the editing (you don't want to choose an editor because of his reputation and discover you've been passed on to a less-qualified underling). Ideally, obtain a contract or a letter of agreement that covers all these areas.
- A referral from a literary agent or publisher. A reputable agent may tell you that your book needs work, and suggest that you think about hiring an independent editor. She may even give you some names to choose from. Be on your guard, though, if you're urged to use a specific editor or editing service. In such cases a kickback arrangement may be involved, a la Edit Ink, or the agent or publisher may own the editing service itself (perhaps under a different name). Either way, it's a conflict of interest -- how can a writer trust a referral that makes a profit for the referrer?
- Recommendation of a publisher's or agent's own paid editing services. Another conflict of interest. If the agent or publisher can profit from a recommendation to edit, how can you be sure that the recommendation is in your best interest?
- Extravagant praise or promises. No reputable independent editor will tell you that your book has huge commercial potential or that it's likely to become a bestseller. Nor will she claim that an edit will make agency representation more likely, or improve your chances of selling to a major publisher. Why? Because these are promises that can't be guaranteed, and a good editor, like a good agent, knows better than to make them.
- Statements that publishers nowadays won't look at mss. that haven't been professionally edited. Dishonest or ignorant editors often prey on the anxieties of aspiring writers by saying that publishers won't look at manuscripts unless they've been professionally edited. In-house editors, they say, no longer have the time to edit--they want books that are picture-perfect and ready to publish.
This isn't so. It's true that in today's world of big publishing conglomerates, where in-house editors must handle enormous workloads and do double duty as administrators, the days when an editor could afford to invest months working with an author to shape a promising but not-quite-ready manuscript are largely gone. But it's false to say that in-house editors don't edit (they do), or that professional editing is a prerequisite for publication (it isn't), or even that the name of an editing service on a manuscript will make a publisher more likely to read it (it won't. See above). Your manuscript needs to be as perfect as you can make it--finished, polished, and properly presented. But no one will hold it against you if you accomplish this yourself. - One-size-fits-all editing, all comers accepted. Most good independent editors have areas of specialization that reflect their experience. The skills required to edit a romance novel, for instance, are quite different from those needed for a work of narrative nonfiction. That's not to say a single editor won't possess both skill sets--but it's unlikely that one person will be able to edit any and all subjects and genres with equal effectiveness. Also, within the basic scope of services he provides, a good editor will tailor each editing job to the client. Standardized editing services and a lack of specialization suggest an amateur or inexperienced editor.
- Anonymous editing. Some editing services don't post staff resumes on their websites, and don't tell you in advance who will be assigned to you. You thus have no way of verifying your editor's credentials, or of ensuring that he or she has experience appropriate to your work. Sometimes the services will provide this information if you request it. Be wary of those that won't.
- Direct solicitation. Independent editors may maintain websites or advertise in industry journals. But they don't cold-call writers. If you've registered your copyright or subscribe to a writer's magazine, you may be a target: disreputable editors sometimes purchase mailing lists from these sources.
- An offer of a special deal and/or pressure to accept services. One way disreputable editors attempt to hook clients is by promising a special fee reduction or a limited time offer. Reputable editors don't operate this way, nor will they try to pressure a writer into a decision.
- Refusal of reasonable requests for information. Like a reputable agent, a reputable independent editor should have no problem providing a resume, references, and samples of her work. Be wary if you encounter resistance in any of these areas.
- Vagueness about specific services. An editor should be willing to say exactly what he will do for you. If an editor won't give you a firm price, or doesn't want to specify what his fees will cover, or won't tell you exactly who will be working on your manuscript, move on.
Smiling Faces: 10 ways to recognize a rip-off book doctor
The biggest reason I decided to help would-be authors as a book doctor is ... I'm a writer, too. In the course of writing three published books over the past 13 years, I've encountered scammers at every level, all intent on stealing a part of writers' dreams -- and some of their money. I've become so angry about the number of scammers in this industry, I wanted to offer a genuine service designed to help you get published, using everything I've learned so far about writing and book-publishing.
Here's some good advice from a fellow book doctor, Jerry Gross, who's been an independent editor for more than 40 years. His tips are worth your attention.
10 Signs of a Scam Book Doctor
By Jerry Gross
Working with an expert, ethical book doctor can often make the difference between being published or remaining unpublished. Conversely, working with an unqualified, unethical book doctor can often be hazardous — even fatal — to your career.
You’ve worked hard to save the money to hire a book doctor. Make sure that the book doctor you hire will turn out to be a good investment. Here are 10 signs that someone who claims to be a professional book doctor may be trying to scam you.
1. A scam book doctor states that you can’t get published unless you hire a book doctor. You may hear that editors and publishers demand that a manuscript be professionally edited before they will consider it for publication, or that agents won’t take on a client unless the writer first works with a book doctor to polish the manuscript. Not true. Agents and editors still take on manuscripts that need a lot of work, but, to be candid, they don’t do it too often because they are usually overworked and overwhelmed by the volume of material submitted to them. That’s why working with a good book doctor can at least improve your odds of being accepted by an agent and an editor.
2. A scam book doctor guarantees, or at least implies, that his editing will get you accepted by an agent. Not true! No reputable book doctor can make this statement because no book doctor can persuade an agent to represent a project that the agent does not like, believe in, or see as commercially viable. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and editors and agents often see a manuscript’s potential through very different eyes.
3. A scam book doctor guarantees, or strongly implies, that once she’s edited your manuscript, an agent will definitely be able to sell it. Not true. The vagaries, shifts of taste, and trends in the publishing marketplace are such that agents themselves cannot be sure which manuscripts will be salable.
4. A scam book doctor admits (or you discover) that he has a "financial arrangement" with the person or company who referred you to him. In plain English, this means that he kicks back part of his fee for the referral. This is inarguably unethical. There should be no financial relationship between the book doctor and the referring party. If one exists, it can adversely affect the honesty and integrity of his evaluation, his line editing of your manuscript, or both.
5. A scam book doctor does not guarantee that she will edit your manuscript personally. Since you are hiring the editor for her specific expertise, insist that she guarantee in writing that she will edit the manuscript herself. If she won’t do this, look elsewhere for an editor.
6. A scam book doctor tells you that he can’t take on your project, but will subcontract it. However, he won’t tell you who will edit it, and he won’t provide you with that editor’s background, samples of that editor’s work, or any references. And he does not give you the right to accept or refuse the editor he suggests. If you do decide to work with another editor because the one you wanted is overbooked or otherwise unavailable, then you have every right to know as much about the person recommended by him as you know about the editor making the recommendation. You also have every right to decide whether you want to work with the editor whom he recommends.
7. A scam book doctor won’t provide references from authors or agents she’s worked with. Obviously, the editor won’t provide you with names of dissatisfied clients, but you can learn a lot by gauging the enthusiasm (or lack of it) with which the client discusses working with the book doctor. Ask questions: "Was she easy and friendly to work with?"; "Was she receptive to ideas?"; "Was she available to discuss her approach to line-editing, critique of the manuscript, or both?"; "Did you feel that you got good value for your money?"
8. A scam book doctor won’t provide samples of his editing or critiques. Engaging in a book doctor without seeing how he line-edits or problem-solves a manuscript is akin to buying oceanfront property in Arizona from a real estate salesman on the phone or on the Web. Talk is cheap, but good editing is expensive. Make sure you are buying the expertise you need; demand to see samples of the editor’s work. If he balks, hang up the phone!
9. A scam book doctor sends you an incomplete Letter of Agreement that does not specify all the costs you will incur, what she will do for each of her fees, a schedule of payment, and a due date for delivery of the edited or critiqued manuscript. Every one of your contractual obligations to each other should be spelled out clearly in the Letter of Agreement before you sign it. If changes are agreed upon during the course of the author-editor relationship, these changes should either be incorporated into a new Letter of Agreement that both parties sign or be expressed in rider clauses added to the Agreement that are initialed by both editor and author. There should be no hidden or "surprise" costs at the time of the final payment to the book doctor.
10. A scam book doctor wants the entire fee before he begins to work. There are many different kinds of payments possible when an author hires an editor; the most common is half the fee paid on signing the Letter of Agreement and the other half when the work is completed. Full payment before the editorial work has begun is not an option. Hang up immediately if the book doctor demands such an arrangement.
A final caution: Be convinced that you are hiring the right book doctor before signing the Letter of Agreement. Not only your money, but also your career is at stake!
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