Welcome to Writers Talkback. If you are a new user, your account will have to be approved manually to prevent spam. Please bear with us in the meantime
Advise needed about editors
Hi, I have recently finished my first novel, which is 100,000 words long. I am hoping to self publish eventually but don't really know where to begin.
I've found an editor, who I know from my writing group and from all accounts she is very good and she has experience working in the genre I wrote for. But I am worried about cost. I decided I wanted a full edit, that includes copyediting and a structural edit from first draft stage. Which costs around £900, in interest free instalments. But looking into self publishing further and I'm starting to wonder whether I should spend so much on editing alone. I want my novel to be good and well developed but I'm on benefits and can't afford to spend too much.
Has anyone else had any experience with structural editing, if so how much did you pay and was it worth it?
Any advise on self publishing would also be welcome.
Comments
A book on editing would be a good investment.
It might be worth getting some feedback/a critique on the synopsis/first chapter first to see whether the book has potential before spending that kind of money on it. Not trying to be a downer, just being realistic.
http://www.writers-online.co.uk/Home-Study/Critique-Service/
And with a good book on editing you'll be able to sort out quite a bit yourself.
Friend or foe, everyone has to make money, and me ever the skeptic, where is the best place to find potential customers when you pay your bills by editing? - Places where writers gather.
I suggest looking to get chapter or two edited to a high level look for the things they point out, edit the rest yourself - with those comments in mind. And like our resident editor Baggy suggests get a couple of books. In the long run you and your writing be better and stronger for it.
£900 is two conventions - in which you get editing, one to ones and so much more. Consider what would be the better investment in YOU.
http://www.jbwb.co.uk/
Doug Watts here is pretty good and fees are reasonable
I'd agree, even a more reasonable price will still be a cost for you to finance. Get some unbiased feedback before spending a penny.
What's the genre etc?
Thanks for the advise!
Readers will often see errors/problems you'll miss yourself. I've had work on there in the past and found it helpful.
£900 when you don't have a lot of money is too much. But, if you are going ahead with it I would ask for a two to three chapter edit first to make sure the editor can deliver the goods.
All of my books so far, have been traditionally published, but before I submit my final version I always edit on paper (you see more mistakes) and I also find editing on Kindle helpful.
You could also try teaming up with another writer and editing each others work.