Matt Hampel/Flikrcc
A quick post today, actually it’s more of a mini- rant, but I’ll include some awesome links to make it worth your while.
Thinking of hiring an independent editor for your work or planning to do some rigorous self-editing before publishing your masterpiece? Cool! Here are several links to get you started.
FINDING AN EDITOR
Finding a Freelance Editor/Jane Friedman
Why all Self-Publishers Need an Editor/Publishers Weekly
How to Hire an Editor/Chuck Sambuchino/Writer Unboxed
YOUR PERSONAL ONLINE CRITIQUE PARTNER
Autocrit Editing Wizard
OUTSTANDING EDITORIAL REFERENCES
Chicago Manual of Style Online
Self-Editing for Fiction Writers by Renni Browne & Dave King
The Elements of Style by Wm. Strunk & E.B. White
Spunk & Bite by Arthur Plotnik
END OF HELPFUL LINKS. CUE MINI-RANT…
No names here, but I recently read a book in which the author thanked his independent editor lavishly in the acknowledgements. Thoughtful right? Well, I happened to know the editor in question, and she knows her stuff—I mean, seriously knows her stuff. So I was surprised to find the book full-to-bursting with typos, serious grammatical errors, and major plot inconsistencies.
Not being acquainted with the author, I emailed the editor and asked if it was possible the wrong version of the book was published, maybe an uncorrected proof? These things happen.
That’s when the editor shared her tale of woe. She’d edited the book gratis for a writer friend who’d decided to ignore all editorial input because he “didn’t have time to revise.” Um, ok. All well and good. I may not approve, but it’s the author’s prerogative.
But then the author turned around and publicly thanked the editor in print for her “invaluable help.” Argh!
Dealing with editors
Rule of thumb: when an editor suggests a change to enhance copy or story, it is up to the author whether to follow through.
Laura Ritchie/Flickrcc
A different situation exists when an editor points out blatant grammatical mistakes and plot inconsistencies, incorrect word usage, or sentences that read pretty but make zero sense. No author should consider these optional fixes.
I can’t imagine why a writer would enlist a competent editor and not heed his or her input. Of course, I know none of you would do this, but apparently it does happen. Go figure.
So, to writers who hire an editor then disregard all editorial feedback, it’s your book. But for the love of all that is holy, do not thank the editor in your acknowledgements! You are doing him or her no favors.
END MINI-RANT
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Have you or would you ever use an independent editor?
I haven’t had a reason to as yet, but I see an IE in my future.
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VR BARKOWSKI 
Oh wow! Why you would go through the trouble to recruit such a resource and not use it is beyond me! I recently saw someone posting for feedback on a manuscript. The catch: the writer needed that feedback in a week. A week! Why? Impatience from what that writer posted, because the book needs to be published pronto. Maybe as a young writer I made such mistakes, but the older I get the more I learn the value of slowing things down and doing a better job.
There’s pressure to get as many books as possible out into the market, but I really don’t understand this need for quantity over quality, Steven. Maybe I’m the anachronism?
I’m in edits with my WIP, which really is a work in progress. I’m running it through Autocrit now, catching all kinds of stuff. It will be off to a beta reader, then my editor. I can’t understand not using the advice of an editor. And for free, no less. Were I that editor, I’d ask the author to remove his words of appreciation and tell him/her why. If he/she doesn’t comply, I’d consider writing a one-star review. The editor was very generous to do the edit for free only to be basically trashed by the writer. Friendship over.
I wondered if the author didn’t appreciate the editor’s efforts because he didn’t have to pay. Apparently the author was completely taken aback when the editor asked to have her name removed from the acknowledgements. I feel so bad for her, Polly. She depends on her income from editing, and she tried to do something nice that could end up affecting her business.
Just doesn’t make sense to enlist the help of an editor and then not use the help they provide. Maybe it’s just the mystery lover in me, but do you think the author may have written the acknowledgement on purpose to put the editor in a bad light? Sad if they did. I think if I were the editor, I’d ask them to remove the acknowledgement.
It may be a mystery lover thing, because that thought crossed my mind, too, Mason. Although I’m ashamed to say my first thought—there and gone in a flash was (I really hope the editor is not reading this)—why did she sabotage this book?
Kind of dumb to get an editor and then ignore everything, story things that they hate and you don’t I can see, but grammar and stuff, no way, have to get on that.
Exactly, Pat. The story ultimately belongs to the author. Grammar, etc. not so much.
That is so bizarre! Why would a writer enlist an editor to fix their manuscript and then purposefully ignore that editor’s advice? Why would a writer not want to fix those things to make their book better?
It is bizarre, Chrys. Of course, it does take time to revise, but why anyone would ignore editorial advice just to get the product out faster makes no sense to me. Since I don’t have the writer’s side of the story, maybe there’s something about the situation I don’t know.
I agree with all of this. I can add that making sure the editor is a fit for you is very important. Even a good editor and a good writer can be mismatched, and the result isn’t pretty. So try to get a sample edit if at all possible. I also use AutoCrit. It’s awesome.
Great advice, Carol. Most editors are willing to provide a sample, and if they won’t, run don’t walk in the other direction. I love Autocrit. It’s saved me hours searching for it, was, just, and that. 🙂
Terrible. No excuse to go to print with a book full of errors, especially when the editor offered her services. I’ve used an editor, mostly for plot holes and inconsistencies. They are invaluable.
Agreed, Silvia. No writer can catch everything. A good editor is priceless!
Geez, that’s plain dumb. Sounds like that writer only wanted a pat on the head, as opposed to constructive help. But for that writer to blithely publish the error-filled book and still acknowledge the editor? That’s beyond dumb. Doing so brings the editor’s talents into question. If I were that editor, I would ask… no, demand… that my name be removed from the book. I don’t blame you for ranting.
It’s a crazy situation, Susan. Who’d imagine thanking someone could equate to libel? This is starting to sound like an interesting premise for a short story. CAUTION: writer’s brain at work…
I’d rather work with an editor who “gets” me. If an editor accepts my work for publication then I feel they are the best ones to edit it. Jeanne at Artema did a great job with my previous two novels and received hearty thanks for maintaining the feel of my novels but cutting the flab. This guy who thanked his editor for his mistake riddled book is an idiot. (although I am sure a well intentioned one)
I agree, David. Like Carol mentioned, not every editor is a good fit for every writer. I do feel as though I may be maligning the writer unjustly because I don’t really know his side of the story.
Perfect timing. I’m planning on self pubbing a nonfiction book, and I know I’m going to need an editor. No way am I just relying on my (although excellent) proofreading skills.
Very wise, Liz. My editorial skills are strong, too, but I’d never trust only my eyes. There are simply things we can’t see in our own work. We’re too close.
That’s a really strange story. Yes, I hired a manuscript assessor after editing my story for such a long time. There were some parts of the plot I knew needed sharpening up. However I didn’t feel the editor ‘got’ my story and she made some strange comments that showed she wasn’t paying attention to what i’d written. However, the money was well spent as she gave me suggestions for the ending and tweaked a couple of my weak plot points. The weirdest thing was that she emailed me and told me that I wasn’t to even so much as TALK about her critique as people pay for this input at workshops. I thought part of getting a ms back was to talk it through with your CPs etc as not everything that editor said was right. I’m quite confused!! I know she had no right to demand silence from me, but being a well-behaved person I’ve pretty much shut my mouth…and am still rewriting my ms.
Good post. I’ll check out some of the links as I won’t be using the same editor again.
Denise
That’s bizarre, Denise. You’d think the editor would want you to talk about the critique. Word of mouth builds business. Plus, I can’t imagine not sharing the input with your CPs. Apart from ourselves who knows our story better or “gets us” better?
My bf has his MA in English and has a great critical eye. He’s an awesome editor, and will be hanging out his shingle to help others soon. He edits all of my work, and yes, sometimes it’s frustrating to have to spend so much time on that part of the process, but it’s essential. It’s so worth it.
I feel very sorry for your friend. Editing takes a long time. I’ve done it for a few friends for free, but if I did it for someone who didn’t have time to make my edits, I’d be pretty frustrated. What a waste of time!
Absolutely, Holli. Editing IS time consuming. It’s possible the author didn’t ask for the editor’s help, and she took it upon herself to tell him what was wrong with the manuscript, and he didn’t want to deal with it. That’s the only thing that makes sense. But even under those circumstances, I’d want my manuscript to be the best it can be.
Excellent advice 🙂 And not much of rant as rants go.
Anna from Shout with Emaginette
I tried not to be too judgmental, Anna, but as an editor, I keep seeing a flashing red warning that says, “Don’t let this happen to you.” 🙂
Wow.That would suck as the editor to have her name slapped on something where her notes were not heeded. And, um, why would you hire an editor if you didn’t have time to make the changes?
Good question, Holly. I get the feeling there’s something I don’t know about the situation. It really doesn’t make sense, but as an editor, I find it scary nonetheless.