Which comes First? Editor or Publisher?
81A Gate Keeper's Point of View
As most of you who read my hubs know, I'm a gate keeper for a literary agent, and this little hub will answer, at least in my mind three things: Should I have an editor? Should I get a publisher before an editor? What about Self-Publishing?
Okay here are the answers:
Should I have an editor? Yes, this may seem like a simple answer it's rather complex, so I'll start with the basics and go from there: yes get an editor. Not you, not you "writing" buddy, not anyone that will be "nice" because it's you. Sorry I don't get that idea, and I don't understand why people wouldn't want to have an editor rip the manuscript apart before sending it to a publisher. Go online and you will find many editing places who will edit. USE THEM.
Yes i know, but when I get email after email with the same thing I wonder... why wasn't an editor used, I mean if I can spot them, well, okay not so great. Should my editor spot them, this is bad, since she is also a literary agent, and my sanity will be questioned. ( Case in point my own writing)
Should I get a Publisher before an editor? Okay, There are stories of people going to the or a publisher and then getting the work edited, but raise your hands people how many of you think this will happen to you? The reason I ask this is because upon a bit of searching you most often find that these people have edited themselves, or were editors or have gone somewhere for a second look. Or they are established authors. The last point is vital.
Established authors have more connections and more voice in the publishing industry. Yes, to publish on hub pages is a type of publishing, this is why they would love original content. Okay? So remember best work at all times, you never know what might happen, for example, many people know me through my hubs, and by this they know about the literary agent, which by the way means you send your work to me!
What about self-publishing? With this method you give your best and finest work. Better than best, and you'd better get the best editor if you're planning to self-publish period. Don't begin to argue, because you'll get destroyed on amazon.Yes I do review self-published books, HOWEVER I tend to be a bit more careful and I can see that sometimes, the passion is lost because of spelling mistakes.
Either way, get an editor, in fact this is the most important thing, beyond a query letter. If it's novel writing content editing is a must, same goes fro short stories, but flash fiction I would argue content edits on 1,000 words or less isn't needed. Edit before you get a publisher, and edit after you have one.
You'll be doing a lot of editing no matter what!
Edit or No?
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Self-Editing for Fiction Writers, Second Edition: How to Edit Yourself Into Print
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Everyday Editing
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The Conversations: Walter Murch and the Art of Editing Film
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Revision And Self-Editing (Write Great Fiction)
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Comments
This is very helpful. I am working on a book, so I appreciate help in this area. Thank you.
Some nice, sound advice. Editing, rewriting, and editing are ever so essenmtial.
I have a friend who self published a book a few years ago. Its well written but the company that published it for her didn't edit her work, and there were a few spelling errors that were distracting. Your advice is a good reminder for us all!
Okay, step one for me is to find an editor.
I know I already said my piece on editing on your previous hub, but experience has taught me there is nothing as important after your creativity than a good, PROFESSIONAL editor. An edit goes way beyond spelling and grammar, punctuation or language. A good editor will spot weaknesses in your story line, flaws in your character development, all those things the writer won't see, being too close to the subject, or sometimes too inexperienced.
So I agree whole heartedly with this writer -- find a good editor, learn to work with this editor and try to develop an ongoing relationship with him/her. Your editor will learn how you express your individual voice and work within it.
Great hub!
Excellent advice.
yes, a great editor can make or break any writer.
One that learns how you operate, and can follow the way you think is worth her weight in gold
Very good advice. I love the not your buddy etc. It can make all the difference in the world to have a professional look at it.
Terrific input. Regardless of which comes first, authors still need to sell their own books and why we need an author's platform.
this is so true authorsbook, so very true.
Umm, with all due respect, I think YOU need an editor as I stopped counting at the third typo. -CR
Fixed. =)
This is really very helpful for me, I'm writing a book right now and I'll take all advice I can get! Thanks Rebecca! :)
thanks for teh approval lissa lynn!
Thanks for that platform to stand on, your advice is needed.
Thanks for that platform to stand on, your advice is needed.
GREAT ADVICE in this column, and I know it will help many of the writers out there, myself included.
I would like to say that many book editors - freelancers in particular - charge a very large fee for editing, sometimes up to $10 a page or $75 an hour. For writers who are new to the business or who are writing "to fulfill a lifelong dream" or "as a hobby," these fees are completely impossible. Finding an experienced, affordable, thorough editor who will give you personal attention is not always easy, but they (WE) are out there. I know in my own editing, I only charge $1 a page, and that includes proofreading, substantive, and critique editing. (And I'm always for hire, by the way... hint hint... autiej@gmail.com)
In any case, this is a tremendously helpful article. Thanks for writing it!
With editors they are a must, awesome to know an editor out there, thanks autiej
any more advice on the editing front?
What if you're already an editor ? Should you get another editor ?
If you are already an editor get one anyways, that is what my editor does with her writing.
SimeyC says:
2 months ago
It's interesting to read something from someone who is a 'gatekeeper'; we all think we are hugely talented and it hurts our pride to think that we need an editor - but when you actually look at the average manuscript you realize that an editor is essential - even if it's the dreaded 'this is crap, it'll never be published'! Thanks for the insight and the hub!