You've finished your final draft. You've had friends and fellow writers provide feedback. Your manuscript is as polished as you can make it...so do you start sending it out to agents?
No matter how much I edit my book I still doubt that I've done everything that will make it sparkle in an agent's eye (and I work as an editor for a living). I'm at the stage where I'm debating whether to enlist the services of a professional literary editor, which I've done once before, but the process can be quite expensive. My previous editor has turned literary agent, but I've found a few good leads for future editors from some agent recommendations.
Have any of you used professional editors before? Would you do it again? Did you feel it made a difference when showcasing your work to agents?
I have used a professional before. And he made some great edits. But it was sooo not worth the money he charged. My crit partners did a better job and they were free. They were the ones who helped me with the actual content, the story, the flow, the plot, etc. He found a few things, made a few suggestions, but at the end of the day, my own crit partners were much much better. And you won't get rejected over an occasional typo or comma mistake.
ReplyDeleteI think writers can sometimes get too paranoid about their work (I know I always do). If you've edited and sent to crit partners and revised some more...send it out. If the story is good, and the writing is good, agents and editors aren't going to reject you over a few technical mistakes.
Yes, if your manuscript is so full of grammatical errors and plot holes it would take more time than it's worth to fix it, that's one thing. But if it's been through a few rounds of reading and revisions, I doubt that would be the case :)
If you have money to spare, then sure I guess. It wouldn't hurt to have someone else look at it. But for the most part, at least in my experience, it's just not necessary.
Send it. :)
I've used test readers and critique partners, which helps. My publisher's editor always has a bunch of corrections as well. I've read more than once that those who self publish really need to hire one though.
ReplyDeleteI've never used a professional editor. I've heard there are some good ones, but they do charge A LOT. I kind of agree with your first commenter that a great crit partner who is also a writer can do as much or more to help with a manuscript as a professional editor. Often they are more dedicated to helping improve the work.
ReplyDeleteIf I were going to self publish, however, I would absolutely hire an editor to review the work first.
just a p.s. but I do agree with the other commenters - for self-publishing I'd definitely consider it.
ReplyDeleteHi Mark,
ReplyDeleteNice of you to stop by and comment. Can't really comment on your editor query, other than to say I believe good readers will be your end customer, the ones you bed to please. I would be inclined to let someone you respect for having a good choice in literature read your drafts and get their input. I could be talking out my arse here but that's what they do with films, show them to regular filmgoers before releasing on the general public. You certainly don'twant to end up like this author, read comments.
http://booksandpals.blogspot.com/2011/03/greek-seaman-jacqueline-howett.html
It's a quirky old world.
Dianne
YONKS
Sorry,
ReplyDeletePredictive text "ones you bed" - wtf. Should be the ones you want to please!
I know that for self-pubbing it's a must. You want to put out your best work. Unless I come into a ton of money, I'm going traditional though. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm just now researching editors (mostly for copyediting), and I think I would have had a hard time justifying the expense, when there are so many great beta readers out there! Still, there could be a great benefit, if it helps you move forward as a writer. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteI hired a professional editor to edit my first chapter, just to see what it was like "at that level." And...wow. I was blown away by her insight and advice. I took her invaluable words of wisdom and applied it to the rest of my story (revision 937,983,237,283). Best money I ever spent!
ReplyDeleteps I went to Cal Poly in San Luis! Which years were you there? I was there from '00-'04. just moved from NorCal to AZ (lived in Cali for 14 years)..i LOVE the bay!
ReplyDeleteMichelle – Well, I’m def not going the self-publishing route, but I think you’ve got a really good point regarding fellow writers who proofread and give feedback. Although, I’m always paranoid that I could make my work better.
ReplyDeleteAlex – Critique partners are a must, but how many is enough? I ask because, I have some dedicated readers, but after many, many drafts I hate to continually test the same people’s patience:)
L.G. – I do have a great critique partner, and her advice has been invaluable. I suppose what I’m looking for isn’t just what makes a good book but what will sell, and I wonder if professional editors can bring that to the table or not.
Yonks – All very good points, and as for that example writer you pointed out…yikes! I’ll definitely not go that route, thanks:)
Laila – I def plan to go the traditional route as well, not self-publish :)
Susan – Correct, there are lots of good beta readers out there, and I value their feedback the most…I suppose I just don’t want to overtax people with my numerous revisions.
Barbara – I too had a professional editor for a manuscript and I def learned a lot. Thanks for the advice:) And, yes, both my wife and I went to Cal Poly (01-05 for BA and 05-07 for MA). Go mustangs!
@Mark I usually try to use different betas on different drafts anyway (good reason to have lots of people you swap with). After more than one pass through an MS, people can't have "fresh eyes" anyway (plus I know what you mean, I don't want to overtax people).
ReplyDeleteIf you want to get published in Australia, then I recommend a professional editor simply because agents and publishers here expect your absolute best work (and the agents don't offer editing services). Also, if you want to self-publish, I think it's really important.
ReplyDeleteHowever, if you have skilled, trusted critique partners, then that might be enough for other avenues of publication.
I would without a doubt, because I suck so badly at grammar. But for you, I would recommend a developmental editor (if you’re worried about it) they focus on big picture items: i.e. flow, plot, character development, dialog and much more.
ReplyDeleteThe top of my list is
http://www.kristenweber.com/index.html
I have not used her, but I am going to once I and my manuscript is ready. Her credentials speak for themselves.
I haven't for exactly the reason you mention. $$ Plus, I'm not there yet. I've got a coworker who was an English major and did some side work as an editor, who said she'd take a look at it. I'm not sure that'll be enough though. *sigh*
ReplyDeleteI have an awesome CP and amazing beta readers who I've used this time for my current WIP. I recently won (in an auction) a full ms critique and 30 minute phone call with a dream agent. I know her feedback will help ensure I'm headed in the right direction. :D
ReplyDeleteI haven't considered an editor. No one (not my mentor, CPs, or my agent) has suggested I "need" one, so it hasn't been a consideration. I don't usually include links in my comments, but Lev Raphael wrote a fabulous ESSAY on the danger of an author's voice being obliterated by overly zealous editing. Truly, every writer should read this.
ReplyDeleteA good critique group is good enough for me, if one can be found. I've approached a couple editors, but something told me to wait, like it wasn't ready for that step yet. Love intuition. Those works at the time still need the polish.
ReplyDeleteI've never used a professional editor - just my crit group and a few additional readers. I think if that many people have read your manuscript and you feel it's as good as it can be right now, I'd send out a few queries. Test the waters, see what happens. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteI probably won't be much help here, as I've only had short fiction published, but I can say this: the stories that went through one or two editor-advised rewrites are now some of my best work because of it.
ReplyDeleteLynda – Good to know:) I wonder if agents vary their approach by genre as well, i.e. they prefer professional editing before hand for one type of writing versus another.
ReplyDeleteJeff – I’ll check that editor out, thanks for the suggestion:)
Donna – Well, I have my masters in English and work as a tech Writer, but still I think the more editing you get one a MS the better (just my two cents).
Stina – Very cool! How exactly did you get set up with a “dream” phone call with an agent? Sound s intriguing.
VR – I read the essay, very interesting. Since your agent didn’t say you need an editor that’s probably a good sign. Did you do anything specific beforehand or did you just have lots of good beta readers?
David – Yup, always good to go with that intuition. I find that intuition is simply what we already know unconsciously, but we just haven’t admitted it to ourselves consciously yet.
Stacy – True, one can always test the waters. I like to be as prepared as possible, but perhaps I’ll do some more “testing” anyhow:)
I've never had enough money to even have an option of hiring an editor. I think once you've edited it and had a couple other (objective) pairs of eyes look over your manuscript, you're probably safe to submit it to agents. So much revision goes on after signing (with an agent or a publishing house) that I think you'd end up spending a lot of unneccessary time making it "perfect" only to change things after the contract. If it's a clean manuscripte, I'd say go for it. But that's just me :)
ReplyDeleteBtw, I tagged you in a meme if you'd like to participate.
Hi Mark, I have heard professional editors can be really wonderful, though they are expensive. But, as you are an editor yourself, and I am sure there are critique partners who would have caught the errors you may have missed, you can safely submit your manuscript.
ReplyDeleteI would definitely do it. I'm using a new editor for my short story collection but will pay at least one well known editor for the novel. I think it's worth it.
ReplyDeleteFor my first book I had CPs who read individual chapters, and three beta readers for the completed project. My subject matter rather than my writing was always the issue. I write dark and not to formula. It makes readers uncomfortable. I'm not willing to pay an editor to tell me if I delete the torture scene and slap on a happy ending my book will sell. All writers need trusted outside eyes, but if a writer is competent with a developed voice, I'm not sure an editor can offer anything beyond that of a CP or beta reader. At least anything worth the $$$.
ReplyDelete