While I wanted to lambast this person for thoroughly insulting editors, instead, I politely directed them to a resource where they could learn more about standard industry rates. I then realized it’s something we haven’t covered here at DIY MFA and we should, because industry transparency and setting proper expectations will ensure you get the right service for the right price.

Here are some things to consider when you’re looking to pay an editor to edit your book:

The Type of Editing You’re Asking For

Going back to the Facebook post I mentioned, the OP was asking for every step of editing from the first pass to the final proofread from the same person. Many good editors specialize in just one or two types of editing.

For example, I don’t claim to be a developmental editor. My specialty is making your words sing through line editing or punching up your punctuation with copyediting. Many editors also have a rule about not proofing what they’ve recently line-edited. The OP would likely be better off from a services standpoint consulting with multiple specialists.

As for how this affects what you pay an editor, just realize that paying one person to do two things may mean two separate prices for each service. A line edit may go for one price while a proofread is negotiated separately. Developmental editing often costs the most. Could you get a bundle deal for some of these services? That’s up to the editor, but I personally charge separately for each project.

How Much Editing Is Required?

Writers seek out editors at many different stages of the writing process and some writers may be better at certain aspects than others, which means their editing could take more or less time. If your editor is charging hourly, having a cleaner manuscript will mean faster work, taking down the price.

Good editors will also evaluate a sample of your work to make sure the editing you want is the editing you need and to estimate how much time or effort it may take. Depending on what we see, the rate for editing can change.

How Long Editing Actually Takes

In the Facebook post, the OP wanted to publish the manuscript in less than a month. This seemed fairly unrealistic to me considering everything they were asking for. Good editors are in high demand and are often booked months in advance. We carefully lay out our schedules to make sure we can get the work done properly without rushing through and missing things. Many of us juggle multiple projects at the same time.

How does this affect your wallet? Well, if a client asks me to put their project ahead of others to meet a strict deadline, there’s a surcharge for that. Depending on how busy I am or how much of a rush it is, I’ve charged up to 40% more than what a non-rush quote would be. That number could be much higher with other editors.

So, How Much Should I Pay an Editor?

Now, let’s talk about pricing. Truly, the number offered in the original post was laughable. Is there an editor out there who would pick up that job? I would sincerely hope not, but yeah, people do. I would, however, question this person’s reasoning in agreeing to complete the project for so little money.

As for rates, I’m partial to the EFA’s (Editorial Freelancer Association) median rates. Keep in mind, these aren’t bottom and top prices. This is the industry median (between the middle values in a data set) based on real reported rates from working editors. Will you find lower? Yes. Will you find much higher? Absolutely. 

This means there is a wide range in what you might pay for editing, keeping in mind the type of editing, cleanliness of the manuscript, and the timeline.

Part of deciding what to pay for editing is deciding on the caliber of editor you want. Are there amazing editors with lower rates? I’d say yes. Could you overpay for someone’s shoddy job? Yeah, that could happen too. 

Luckily, there are plenty of articles about how to evaluate an editor before you work with them. (Hint: a lot of it is about personality matching.) It’s a balancing act between the right fit and what you can afford. 

Speaking of which, having a budget in mind to start out with can help you not overpay for services. Or at least you’ll end up feeling good about how much you spent.

What should you budget? Let’s do some simple math. Developmental editing sits at a median rate of $0.03 to $0.039 per word. And let’s say you have a 50K-word novel. Multiplication tells us that your pricing could be around $1500 to $2000.

It could also be charged hourly (median EFA pricing is $46-50/hour); in which case the final price depends on how fast the editor works based on the number of pages. An industry-standard page is 250 words, meaning your 50K-word manuscript is about 200 pages. The EFA reports that editors work at a median pace of 4-6 pages per hour, equaling between 30 and 50 hours of editing. Again, multiplication says this will be around $1300 to $2500 for your developmental edit.

You can use the same math to estimate your price for other types of editing based on this chart.

In the end, there is too wide a variety of pricing to spell out in this article. But I recommend budgeting $1000+ for a good editor going through one stage of editing. 

If you’re self-publishing, you may need several rounds of editing with one or more editors. You also might need other people on your team like a graphic designer for your cover or a formatting expert for your layout.

Overall, editors strongly encourage each other to charge within industry standards. We consult with each other on pricing and even pass off jobs to each other if we know our rates aren’t inside the writer’s budget. When it comes to editing, don’t let sticker shock deter you from seeking out help. Slowly put aside your funds for editing. In the meantime, head to your local writing or critique group and learn from fellow writers who may be at a more advanced stage than yourself. Try grammar software (but please don’t blindly accept every change!). Pull the trigger when you’re ready for a professional to step in.

Jeanette the Writer is a freelance editor and writer based in Dallas, TX. When not at the computer, you can find her crafting, scuba diving, or posting pictures of her cats on Instagram. Visit JeanettetheWriter.com for more info and follow @JeanettetheWriter on Instagram and Facebook or @JeanettetheWrtr on Twitter.

The post How Much Should I Pay an Editor to Edit My Book? appeared first on DIY MFA.

Maybe you want to do some freelance work, or maybe you are a writer considering hiring a freelance editor to help you with revising your manuscript for self-publishing or traditional publishing. Or maybe you’re just reading this article because you are curious about what life as a freelance editor looks like. Whatever you’re here for, I’ll give you the inside look into how I do things! But remember, just like how publishing can be subjective, my experiences and tips might not resonate with you. 

One of the most important things I want you to take away from this article is how to be innovative and not cast your dreams aside in the face of failure. If we did this every time we failed, there would be no books in the world and certainly no editors to help them shine.

Pick a Home for Your Clients

One of the first things you will need to do is research the different freelancing platforms where you can advertise your editorial services. 

There are lots of freelancing platforms out there, and not all of them operate the same way, so be sure to research what each platform offers, the pay percentage they take, and how you will receive clients. Some platforms take a percentage of your income. Others will ask for money and find gigs for you after you’ve paid them. So, you’ll need to determine what you want and what you are comfortable with.

I would not suggest the route of simply setting up a website and sharing it once on social media. You might get a client or two that way, but it’s highly unlikely. Trust me. I’ve tried. But, please do set up a website as an alternate way for clients to find you and learn more about you! (More on that later.)

Make Your Home Stand out from the Neighborhood

I know, it’s kind of a cheese analogy, but I’m really into those home design shows, so cut me some slack. 

When you’ve picked your platform and built your website, you need to put some real effort—and maybe a little money—into making yourself stand out. 

Remember, your clients are writers, and they have worked hard on their work. If they are coming to you for editing services, they want to see that you put the same care and attention into setting up your profile and making it look professional. 

Consider hiring someone to do some design work for you if you need graphics made. I hired a friend of mine to make picture graphics for each of my editorial packages, and it made my profile pop. Investing a little in your business can go a long way. 

Know Your Specialties and Stick to Them

If there’s one thing I could tell you not to do, it’s this: don’t solicit work for areas you don’t feel comfortable editing. 

When I started, I offered “safe gigs.” I put up things like “resume editing” and “essay editing.” I thought that this would drum up easy, reliable clientele. The thing is, it didn’t, and I wasn’t excited about doing that work anyways. I knew I could do it, but I didn’t really want to. 

But, I was also aware of the areas that I could do really well. My specialty lies in manuscripts, especially fiction. And, if we are being really specific, I get really geeky and excited about editing kid lit because it’s what I write. 

What is your specialty? What isn’t your specialty? Ask yourself these questions as you are setting up your editorial services.

Expect a Slow Start and Keep Sharing Anyways

Like I mentioned in my last post, it took me half a year to get a real client. Your first job might not come right away, and it could be because of things that are out of your control like people just aren’t looking for an editor now or your profile doesn’t rank as high in searches because you have no reviews. Brace for those first few months of “famine” by making sure you have other plans in place. 

Whatever you do, don’t stop sharing your editorial services. Share them on your social media. Share them with your friends and family, even if none of them are writers. They may know people that are interested. If nothing else, it helps make your work feel real until the day it is and you can celebrate your first official client. 

Show Off Your Skills by Writing

Remember how I mentioned that you’ll probably want a website even if you pick a freelancing platform as your main way of attracting clients? 

Here’s why: clients want to see proof that you have the skills you say you have. Why wouldn’t they? They are about to invest their money in you and trust you to edit the manuscript, blog post, business proposal, or whatever piece of writing they have put together. Setting up some proof of your skill beforehand can be beneficial. 

I did this by creating a blog on my website, then I linked my website on my profile. I was surprised at the number of clients who told me they had clicked on my website and liked what they read on my blog. My blog became a way for clients to see both my personality through my writing as well as my editing skills. Having a blog of your own to link to your profile can be a huge advantage for you, giving you a way to give clients physical proof of your skills.

The Pay Reality

Alright, here it goes. I’m going to be very honest with you. I can’t live off my freelance editing income. Not yet at least. In my family, my husband is in med school, so our main source of income is the lofty student loans we take out each semester. 

What my freelance editing job does provide is consistent income to cover a variety of bills and expenses as well as slow-growing savings. It’s not enough to cover all our bills right now, but since I started at the end of 2019, my monthly income has more than tripled thanks to a steady clientele. 

Don’t expect to replace any other job you have with freelance editing just yet. But, also don’t be afraid to dream big! 

Your Freelance Editing Business

There is no right way to become a freelance editor, but I think that’s what is so nice about freelancing. You can be as creative, or organized, or personal, or professional as you want to be. You are looking for the right clients for you. 

Just like how in traditional publishing not every agent is the right fit for an author, not every client is right for you. Your goal—and it may take a while—is to find the clients that are right for you. 

Don’t give up on your dream of being a freelance editor! Just work on finding your clients.

Olivia Fisher is a writer and editor who loves to read and write middle-grade fiction. When she isn’t imagining living in a treehouse or chasing down her two young boys, she enjoys curling up with a book, writing her next epic adventure, or fighting off the ghosts of the Bermuda Triangle while hauling up the untold treasures and hidden histories of the civilizations deep within its secretive waters. While only some of that is true, she does love animals, babies, and trying to live in the state of child-like wonder that we all secretly, or not so secretly, miss. Follow along with her adventures on Twitter or hire her for your next writing escapade on Fiverr. 

The post The Long Road to Freelance Editor: Part Two appeared first on DIY MFA.

“You can’t just be a writer. They don’t make a lot of money, and life would be hard,” my mom would tell me. I know she was just trying to be helpful, but those words stuck in my little brain and being the defiant, sassy child I was, I decided I wouldn’t listen. I would continue to write everywhere, and on the bus to school, I would beg one of my best friend’s older sisters to fix my spelling. I knew nothing of editing, but I figured spelling was important enough to fix.

In elementary school, I had to research a job that I found interesting. I went to the library at my little public school and checked out a book on writing and editing. I don’t remember much about this, just that the book was one of those nonfiction books that gives you basic information about a career. That’s when I discovered editing. 

You mean I could read books all day long and help make them wonderful? I thought. It sounded perfect for my little self. 

The Dream

Over the years, my career dreams shifted from editor, to vet, to F.B.I agent, to artist, to dental hygienist, and finally, back to editor when a good friend persuaded me to join him for the Writers’ Workshop on our college campus. I met a charismatic and dedicated group of writers who loved what they were doing. And I loved what they were doing too. 

I listened to them critique each other’s work and talk about books they were reading for class. I enjoyed the words they would use like “literary analysis,” “theme,” “motif,” “query letter,” and “manuscript.” I wanted to do what they were doing. I wanted to know all about stories so I could offer editorial advice. 

It wasn’t until after I finished a year and a half long mission trip in Scotland and Ireland surrounded by poets and writers of the past and breathing the air of my ancestors that I finally took the leap and changed my major to English.

But there was a long road ahead of me. I quickly realized as I took classes that I would need to work hard and learn as much as I could. Being an English major didn’t suddenly make me a good editor. I set my sights on an emphasis in Professional Writing, added in a few editing classes to my coursework along with plenty of creative writing classes. When I graduated, I felt confident in my budding abilities. I thought I had it all figured out. 

Being a stay at home mom, I lovingly set my dream of working for a big publishing house (or even a smaller press) aside in favor of being a freelance editor. I set up a website, posted on social media advertising my services, and waited for the clients to roll in…

But… no one hired me.

Reality

I had made a serious miscalculation. I knew I was passionate about being a freelance editor and had worked hard to develop my skills. I knew I cared about each author and their manuscript deeply. But no one else did. And without any editorial internships or experience, any potential clients on social media would pass me by.

My husband was in the throes of applying for med school, and after a year out of school with dashed plans to attend grad school, I felt the grand dreams I had for myself after college were slipping away. I ended up taking on a job at a daycare where I could be with my son every day. It was discouraging. I loved the kids and the work, but it was in no way what I had imagined for myself. I wanted to write and edit, and suddenly, neither were happening.

I scoured the internet one day, hoping to find a solution to my bone-dry business when I stumbled on a site for freelancers called Fiverr. I looked through the different editing gigs others were offering and felt sure I could create my own gigs as a freelance editor. I signed up, created a gig for resume writing and manuscript editing, shared my new profile on social media, and waited for any potential clients to click on my page and order a gig.

Silence met me again, only to be occasionally broken for the random spam message. I was discouraged, but took the loss as expected. I kept my profile but didn’t do much with it.

Eventually, my husband was accepted to med school, and we moved our family to the east coast. We faced a few financially stressful months with two children in tow. I was desperate to work but also stay by my children’s sides. 

In August of 2020, I received my first client. He was eager for someone to look over the first five chapters of his manuscript and after looking at my profile, he hired me. I put my heart into editing his work. He was pleased and left me my first five-star review. I glowed for days after.

Realizing the Dream of Being a Freelance Editor

With the review now on my profile, I was sure I would get more clients! Months rolled by until all the leaves in Virginia had all changed colors and fallen to the ground. It was days before Thanksgiving when I got my second client, a wonderful man who was working on a middle grade manuscript—my absolute favorite genre. We hit it off and worked back and forth on his book until the end of the year. 

Three days before Christmas, I finished his edits and received the most wonderful (and needed) Christmas gift: a full manuscript order that would bring in a good chunk of change for our family. This wonderful client wanted to give her father a fully edited version of the book he had written years ago. The only catch: I needed to finish it by Christmas Eve. I locked myself in my room for hours and worked late into the night, but when I submitted the finished version to the client and read her words of thanks, I glowed.

Why do I share all of this with you? Because maybe you are in a similar place. Maybe you feel like your dreams to write or edit for others have stalled out. Maybe you are about to give up on those dreams. 

I’m here to tell you: don’t. Don’t give up. 

Sometimes we can control how things unfold, and other times, we must wait, knowing we are doing our best. I’ve wanted to be a freelance editor for over three years, and this year, I’ve completed over 70 orders, several of them manuscript length. I felt like, before I could offer my help, you needed to know the road that it took to get where I am now. You need to know that success isn’t instant so that you can withstand the slow growing flames of your dreams. I’ve seen this both as a freelance editor and as a writer.

So, are you going to keep fanning those embers? Or will you let them grow cold? 

Join me in the second part of my article where I will discuss how I built out my editorial gigs and found steady clientele and how I can help you do the same.

Olivia Fisher is a writer and editor who loves to read and write middle grade fiction. When she isn’t imagining living in a treehouse or chasing down her two young boys, she enjoys curling up with a book, writing her next epic adventure, or fighting off the ghosts of the Bermuda Triangle while hauling up the untold treasures and hidden histories of the civilizations deep within its secretive waters. While only some of that is true, she does love animals, babies, and trying to live in the state of child-like wonder that we all secretly, or not so secretly, miss. Follow along with her adventures on Twitter or hire her for your next writing escapade on Fiverr.

The post The Long Road to Freelance Editor: Part One appeared first on DIY MFA.

The gig economy is a bit like the Wild West. Opportunities abound, but the rewards often come with a substantial dose of risk. Fortunately, it’s easy to dabble in most freelance work without making any major commitments. You can practice graphic design in the evenings, walk dogs in the mornings, and write on the weekends. This gives you valuable experience and some extra income to boot.

If you’re thinking of taking your freelancing career full-time, though, there are some things that you’re going to want to consider beforehand — especially where finances are concerned. Here are five specific financial questions that you should ask yourself before you ditch the 9-to-5 in favor of a freelance career.

1. Freelancing Can Require Professional Help

The first thing you should consider before going freelance-full-time is your professional lifelines. For instance, while this humble author has extensive personal financial freelance experience, the five tips presented here are more general in nature and should always be discussed with a financial professional who knows your particular situation.

Typically, the professional help that you should have “on tap” as you launch your career can be boiled down into three categories:

●  A lawyer: Do you have a good lawyer that you can go to with legal questions? Having a lawyer can ensure that you safeguard yourself against any unnecessary personal or workplace liabilities.

●  An accountant: Again, while these general tips are a good starting point, a CPA will be aware of state and local tax codes and the more detailed nuances of running your business finances successfully.

●  Another professional in your field: It doesn’t matter if you’re a rideshare driver or a writer, a musician or a software developer, if you’re going to survive the full-time freelance gig, you’re going to want to ask someone with experience when questions inevitably arise.

If you don’t have professional help lined up, your freelance efforts can quickly spin out of control.

2. Are Your Finances Healthy?

Next up, consider the current state of your finances. Ask yourself a few questions:

●  Are you responsible with your money?

●  Are you able to live on a budget?

●  Have you considered how you’ll pay the bills early in your freelance career?

●  Do you have healthy credit?

As you grill yourself, consider what you can do to improve your current financial situation in preparation for the financial stresses and strains that often come with the freelance life. How much money do you need to make each month at a minimum? Can you improve or repair your credit? Do you have an emergency fund saved up to cover expenses if you have a lull in income?

3. Have You Considered the Extra Costs?

While adding up your personal expenses is a good start, you must also consider additional costs that come with your new independent career.

For example, if you’re an aspiring author, have you considered the costs involved with self-publishing? If you’re going into a service-based freelancing gig, do you need to pay to build and upkeep a website? If you’re going to be a rideshare driver, have you added up the expense of keeping your car on the road every day?

Strive to challenge yourself with critical questions like these before you make the leap into full-time contracting work.

4. Can You Handle Your Own Taxes?

Of course, the biggest financial elephant in the room is taxes. As a freelancer, you won’t have things automatically withdrawn from your paycheck. Heck, you won’t even get a “paycheck” in the first place. You’ll just get paid.

With that said, have you considered what it takes to do your own taxes as a contractor? It isn’t rocket science, but freelance taxes do take a bit of your time and focus. Make sure you’re aware of all of the major details, such as estimating taxes or filing returns, and that you have that CPA readily available so that you’re ready to put everything into action once you start generating a full-time income.

5. Are You an Organized Person?

Finally, consider if you’re organized enough to go full-time in the gig economy. This includes everything from beginning to end of the work process. Are you ready to perpetually feed and organize your workload? Have you equipped yourself with the proper financial tools, such as a budget calculator and business bank account, that are required to make and receive payments, maintain a budget, and set aside taxes on a regular basis?

If you aren’t organized from the get-go, it can hamstring your ability to ultimately succeed, you know, with the actual work that you’re getting paid for.

Financially Flourishing as a Freelancer

There are many financial considerations that should take place before you commit to full-time contracting. However, none of the above factors should be seen as a barrier to entry.

Rather, they can and should serve as initial starting points and opportunities to prepare yourself for the oft-overwhelming but ultimately exciting journey ahead. If you can start your freelancing adventure on the right financial foot, you’ll be better able to handle whatever curveballs your professional future may throw your way — and ultimately be financially better off for the change.

Indiana Lee is a writer and journalist from the Pacific Northwest with a passion for covering workplace issues, social justice, environmental protection, and more. In her off time she enjoys hiking with her two dogs. You can follow her on twitter @indianalee3, or reach her at indianaleewrites@gmail.com

The post #5onFri: Five Things to Consider Before Freelancing Full Time appeared first on DIY MFA.

Yet, we will inevitably get to the end—or what feels like it could be the end—of our novel-writing process. And when that happens, the question of what to do next comes up.

One logical next step after finishing your manuscript is to reach out for the help of a professional editor. There are various types of editing support available. A developmental editor will take a big-picture look at the structural and narrative features of your work, a line editor will focus on refining your language and flow, and a copy editor will zoom in even closer to make suggestions that ensure consistency, clarity, and correctness. 

For details about the different types of editors, I like these definitions of editorial skills from Editors Canada. 

Essentially, an editor will help you take your manuscript to the next stage of its journey, whether that is self-publishing or querying for traditional publication.

When you’ve narrowed down what type of editing you need and want, the next question to ask yourself is whether or not you are ready to work with an editor. As an editor myself, I often meet clients on both ends of the spectrum: those who aren’t quite ready to work with me, as well as those who I wish had reached out years ago but have been stalling on their writing journey. 

But, if you’ve never worked with a professional editor before, how are you to know if you’re ready?

1) Your manuscript is not a first draft

 As tempting as it may be to fire off your manuscript to someone who can help, be sure to edit your own work for glaring errors and inconsistencies before you hire an editor. Run a spell check and fix discrepancies in characters’ names, major plot holes, and typos at the very least. When your editor sits down to dive into your manuscript, you want them to be focused on the essential work that requires a professional, not correcting endless typos or querying to ask if your main character is Abbie or Abby. 

Naturally there will be errors, but do the grunt work yourself so your editor can do the detailed work you’ve hired them to do, like referencing the appropriate style manuals, perfecting dialogue, and ensuring professional, publication- or submission-ready formatting. 

2) Your manuscript is actually a fifth draft

Or even a fourth, sixth, seventh, or eleventh draft. Sometimes when we find ourselves writing and rewriting the same piece over and over, it means it’s time to get some professional support from someone who hasn’t been living in the pages of the manuscript for months or years.

A developmental edit or a manuscript critique can help you see where things may be falling flat, and will give you detailed recommendations from someone who is both knowledgeable and objective. 

3) You’ve shared your work with an alpha reader, beta reader, and/or a critique partner 

In other words, you’ve shared your work with someone you trust who can give you feedback from the perspective of a reader. This type of feedback can be given by friends or family, or can be found for free in online or local writing groups. Because it’s free, sharing your story with a writing pal before you fork out for a professional edit makes sense. This will help you address issues with elements such as character, plot, and pacing before hiring a professional. Whenever I work with a client who has already shared their manuscript with a beta reader, I know that this author has a solid understanding of their ideal reader, important information to have as you move toward publication.

4) You feel open to constructive criticism and inviting someone you trust along on your writing journey

This is not to say you want your work to be ripped to shreds. No author wants (or should have to go through!) a demoralizing and mean critique process. Working with the right editor will feel like a collaboration with a kindred spirit who really gets your work. Your editor should respect and preserve your unique voice and style, but it’s important that you’re open to suggestions and feedback, or the entire process is kind of a moot point.

 5) You’re ready to take yourself seriously as an author

That’s right: I said author. Not aspiring author, or even just writer. When you finish a manuscript, you need to pat yourself on the back for a (difficult) job well done, and assume your deserved title as an author. With this newfound confidence, the decision to invest in an editor, if doing so is right for you, will be easy. 

When you can picture your book on a shelf, and somewhere deep in your limbic system, beneath the self-doubt and worries, you know that you’re ready to go the long haul with this work in progress, you’re ready. Your dream editor is out there, and she can’t wait to meet you.

If you have a manuscript that feels ready, go ahead and take the leap! Do your research, and find the editor who is right for you. A good editor will cheer you on, hold you accountable, and show you the light at the end of the tunnel on your darkest writing days, all while polishing your writing to make you the best writer you can be.

Sarah Fraser is an editor and writer, as well as an alternate education teacher living in Vancouver, Canada. She helps new authors tell their stories through kind, but honest, editing and writer mentoring services. When Sarah isn’t editing, she can be found exploring the Pacific Northwest, wrangling teenagers in the classroom, or working on her latest WIP with a steaming cup of Orange Pekoe tea and her cat by her side. Connect with Sarah on Instagram or on her website.

The post #5onFri: Five Signs You’re Ready to Work With an Editor appeared first on DIY MFA.

Ideas vs Words

Let’s get one thing straight right now: under current US copyright law, ideas cannot be copyrighted. If your book features a teenage superhero riding a dragon and another book gets published with a similar storyline, you do not have the right to dispute it. The law does, however, give you automatic copyright over your exact written words as soon as you type them out. In fact, it’s important that your book be similar in plot or theme to other published books so you can point them out as comps in your query! 

Simultaneous Invention

The simultaneous invention phenomenon, also known as “multiple discovery,” is an occurrence where similar ideas are developed by different people in different places at the same time. For example, the telegraph machine was patented in the U.S. by Samuel F.B. Morse in the same year (1837) as a patent was granted to Charles Wheatstone in England. One man did not steal the other’s idea. They had simply thought of the same thing at the same time. Similar occurrences can and do happen in literature, no doubt.

Reality of Time

If an agent, editor, or publisher really wanted to steal your book, they would still need to rewrite it to avoid a plagiarism lawsuit. This takes time and lots of it. The reality is, industry professionals don’t have the time to steal your idea. Editors are busy with editing projects; agents are busy pitching to publishers; publishers are too busy fighting the decline in popularity of the printed word. No one has time to steal your idea.

Likelihood of Theft

In order to truly steal your idea, another writer would have to take your exact plot and theme, write it better than you could, and make a ton of profit for any of it to have been worth it. While you may consider your manuscript to be the next bestseller, it’s unlikely other writers will see it that way. Writers are inspired by different things and their ideas spark from deep within. Why would someone else suddenly drop their own precious work and take yours?

Concluding Thoughts

When you google “writer sues [editor/agent/publisher] over stolen work,” you don’t find pages of news articles screaming Writer Beware. You get articles like this one, telling you everything will be fine and you have nothing to worry about. Am I the first person to have come up with this topic? Clearly not. Am I the first person to take this exact viewpoint and write about this topic in these exact words? Yes, absolutely. So, stop procrastinating and telling yourself excuses—because everything will be fine, and no one will ever be able to write your book the way you can.

Jeanette the Writer is an editor, coach, and freelance writer who wants to help others demolish their editing fears and finish their manuscript. As a former scuba instructor turned entrepreneur, Jeanette knows about putting in the hard work to pursue your passions. She has worked with authors, speakers, coaches, and entrepreneurs—empowering them with the right mindset, knowledge, and tools to help them tackle their editing goals. You can learn more about Jeanette by visiting JeanetteTheWriter.com. 

The post Will an Editor Steal My Ideas? appeared first on DIY MFA.

As you move from writing your first draft to editing it, the transition calls for a shift in perspective, one that can be hard to make as a new author. You are so emotionally and mentally close to your project that you may not realize how much you need that outside perspective to catch typos you’ve read over dozens of time, fix plot holes, and help you connect better to your reader.

And maybe that’s what you’re afraid of. You’re afraid of the changes, afraid that the editor just won’t understand your work, afraid your most beloved passages will be slashed to slivers.

Well, yes, there will be changes. Lots of them. And yes, your beloved passages might get a haircut. Or a transplant. But I encourage you to keep the greater picture in mind.

There is no writing without rewriting. No idea comes out fully formed, even though you may think it is. Lest you think I can’t identify with your fears, I want you to know that not only am I an editor, but I am also a writer myself. When I sent my first project to my editor, I too was nervous about what she would say. I received a ton of feedback on the depth and scope of what I was writing about. Even though I would’ve said my idea was fully formed, I needed that different perspective and professional eye. She had fantastic ideas and made my book stronger. That’s what an editor is supposed to do.

Depending on the type of publishing you choose, the editing process will look different. With a more traditional publishing company, multiple editors with different jobs will have their hands on your project. If you do self-publishing, you might just work with one editor. Whatever flavor of publishing you choose, know that the editors are there for you. We know what a labor of love a book is and we want it to shine bright. Here are five ways you can help us help you.

1) Ask About Style Guides

Do you plan to use repeating elements, like including scripture, quotes, or excerpts? Before you send off your draft to your editor, or even as you’re working on that first draft, reach out to find out if there are house style notes that you should be aware of. While Chicago Manual of Style is industry standard for book editing, each publishing house has a “house style.” By asking beforehand, you can keep formatting consistent, which will allow your editor more brain space as they move through your work.

If you’re not able to do any of that, at least keep your formatting consistent in the use of paragraphs, quotation marks, and parentheses. Don’t ask your editor to do major formatting like insertion of illustrations, charts, or graphs. Typically all formatting is removed when your manuscript moves to layout. When I send off my manuscript, they are in the barest bones Word document format. I typically will just bold chapter titles/subheads just to make it easier on the editor’s eyes.

2) Use Spellcheck

You would be shocked at how many authors don’t do this before sending their manuscript to an editor. It’s like not brushing your teeth for a few days before your dentist appointment because “Oh you know, they’ll clean them at the office, so why bother?”

Yes I know it’s my job to catch errors as an editor, but if you’ve misspelled the same word over and over, I will know those same red squiggly lines were staring at you too. Don’t be lazy with your book baby. At the bare minimum, run spellcheck before you send it off.

3) Don’t Navel Gaze

As an editor, I can quickly tell when you’re drawing mainly from your own experiences. Which in memoir or other similar formats is fine…in fact, it’s expected. But be wary of language which draws circles around your own experiences and excludes other ways of thinking or approaches. Stop and ask yourself, “What if my reader has this type of background?” “What if they don’t know XYZ?” “What if…?”

When you write a book, your reach is so much further than storytelling with friends around a firepit. People are going to be coming to your book with vastly different backgrounds, and you want as many of them as possible to find a seat at your table.

4) Don’t Be Lazy with Endings

One fiction manuscript I edited last year had a decent plot, but as I neared the end, I realized there were many loose ends to tie up in the remaining 10-15 pages. Within a few pages, the author “resolved” the plot by killing off the bad guys in a famous tragic event. With the barest of discussion, the main characters were taking a bow and then the book ended.

I kept asking myself as I scrolled through the last few pages, Did they really just do that? Did the book actually end that way?

We’ve all been there: running out of steam at the end of the book. Whatever you do, don’t do what that author did. Take a break, workshop the ending in your writers’ group, even ask your editor ahead of time for some insight on how to resolve the ending. Attempt to fix it now because I can assure you your editor will send it back to you.

5) Take Your Heart Off Your Sleeve

We know you have bled onto the paper—your passion shines through every active verb and chapter cliffhanger. But when it does come time to receive edits, do your best to approach them with a humble attitude and don’t ignore advice. The fact is that all the wisdom and insight to write a book doesn’t reside in one person. By the very nature of the writing process, a lot of people are going to have their hand on the project. You need the input. Trust me on this.

If there are edits you don’t agree with, take some time away from the manuscript and come back to it with fresh eyes. If you’re still struggling to get on the same page with the direction your editor is suggesting, keep the lines of communication open and let them know you’re struggling. In the end, a good editor won’t hijack your work, so keep dialoguing to come up with a solution that makes you both happy.

I leave you with some sage advice from the sage master himself, Dr. Seuss.

“So the writer who breeds more words than he needs, is making a chore for the reader who reads.”—Dr. Seuss

Truer words couldn’t be said about the editing process, and it sums up what I most often tell my authors. Think of the reader. Don’t make their job more difficult. When in doubt, filter all edits through this lens and you’ll be a better writer for it. Your reader—and your editor—will thank you for it.

Samantha Hanni is a freelance writer and editor. Since 2015, she has authored four books and penned more than one hundred articles for various industries. Some of her work has appeared on the YouVersion Bible app, Devotional Diva, To Love Honor and Vacuum, Families Alive and the OCHEC Informer. Samantha has copyedited for The Odyssey Online and currently copyedits for a local publishing house. She also teaches creative writing and literature for homeschool highschoolers. She graduated from the University of Central Oklahoma with a degree in journalism.

Samantha and her husband Kurtis live in Oklahoma City with their dog, Podrick. You can read more of her work or query her for a project at mrshanni.com.

The post #5onFri: Five Ways to Aid Your Editor appeared first on DIY MFA.

Happily, writers supported my new venture and I now work on over 500 freelance projects per year. You heard right. In the last few years, I’ve been getting a lot of requests for information on how to start and run a successful freelance editing business. Here, I’m happy to share five things I’ve learned over the years.

1) Get Legitimizing Experience

If you want to be a freelance editor, you’ve likely studied English (or your language of choice) in some capacity, learned a manual of style (or two!) by heart, and like to read or write yourself. But a lot of people do. That’s not to discredit your experiences … but you also need something to set you apart when you hang out your shingle as a small business. My biggest piece of advice would be to get legitimizing experience. Writers are hungry for “insider knowledge” and will pay more for perspective that brings them closer to their publishing goals.

The good news is, you can get experience that legitimizes your career as a freelance editor more easily than ever now. You don’t have to move to New York or London or another big publishing city. Many literary magazines, publishers, magazines, and literary agencies hire remote interns or readers. Productivity tools allow us to work from anywhere. So follow your favorite publications, publishers, and agencies and look for call-outs. Get behind the scenes experience that you can pass on to clients. This will help to set you apart, because, alas, everyone else has that English degree, too.

2) Read for Free or Cheap

While you gather industry experience, you will also have to gather editing experience as well. And that means doing amazing work for free or cheap—at first. Many writers are on a budget, and not all of them will spring for an unknown freelance editor, no matter how great you are. That means you need editorial experience, and the good news is, you can easily get it by offering to give feedback on manuscripts as a critique partner or beta reader. List yourself as a beta reader or critique partner on CritCollective.com and see what happens.

Hone your chops this way. The great news is that writers talk to one another. If you do a great job for one writer, they may recommend your name around. With every successful or helpful critique you do, you reputation will grow. Then you can start charging more for your editing (though I would recommend giving your first and best clients a discount or grandfathered rate).

3) Go Above and Beyond

When you think you’ve done enough, do more. Remember that writers seeking editorial feedback are putting themselves out there in a very vulnerable way. If you’ve given them some good, positive reinforcement, give more. If you’ve given them some constructive feedback on what isn’t working … don’t stop there. Give them some suggested solutions as well. If you’ve given them manuscript feedback, think about giving them query feedback, synopsis feedback, a list of comp titles. Give more. 

For example, I was working very hard on my line edits, but not putting as much attention toward overviews and summaries. I figured that I was giving someone 500+ comments in the margins. What would an overview say that wasn’t already said somewhere in the project? Well, one client pointed out that she really would’ve appreciated a bird’s eye view, and so I started really pouring myself into overview reports that now accompany each one of my projects. And in my off hours (which aren’t many, as a small business owner), I read. I read so that I can stay on top of the market and recommend interesting comp titles. So be prepared to do better, and do more. Owning a small business is not a relaxing enterprise, but my inability to rest on my laurels—or rest, ha!—seems to set me apart.

4) Focus on the Back Office Now

Every year of my small business, I told myself that I’d get the logistical stuff in order “next year.” When I hit this or that dollar amount, I’ll hire an accountant. When I work on this or that many projects in a year, I’ll make it official with an LLC. Well, I’d hit the dollar amount or the number of projects, and still put stuff off.

Earlier this year, my busiest year ever, I was managing over five hundred projects a year from a single spreadsheet. I didn’t realize that it was madness because this “system” had developed over time and I was used to it. But it was slowing me down quite a bit and generating a lot of stress. It wasn’t until I hired my assistant and she said, “This is not working, let’s do something about it,” that I realized she was right. Up until that point, I didn’t want to pay for any additional tools for CRM, bookkeeping, email marketing, invoicing, or payroll. I was doing it all myself and wasting a lot of time.

If I had this business to do over again, I would put tools in place now. Maybe not the fancy CRM (customer relationship management) and invoicing software that I’ve started using (it’s called Honeybook and has made a world of difference). Three years ago, that would’ve been premature. But bookkeeping? Yes. My stubborn mess should’ve done that years ago. An accountant? Yes, please, with a cherry on top. Separating out a business entity? Absolutely—and the IRS will thank you.

I often see new business owners spending a bunch of money on fancy branding and business cards and all the trimmings before they have their first client. This is a waste. But some tools are worth spending money on, right from the beginning. Get your systems in place and you’ll never have to do an overhaul of your entire business seven years in—which is exactly what I did this summer and it sucked. Set yourself up for success so that if you need to scale your freelance business at some point, you can grow without a total overhaul.

5) Ask for Feedback and Listen to It

As an editor, you will be telling people what to do all day long. It’s great. It fits my personality very well—just ask that Midwestern husband of mine! But you also need to be willing to hear feedback. If a client is dissatisfied, it’s your job to help them get the most out of your edit. It’s okay to stand by your feedback, but if you need to add something to the edit to make it worth the client’s while, you should go back and do it. One client asked me to find something good to point out on every page, because she was feeling discouraged. Done! And it was a really positive, inspiring exercise for me, too. A great reminder that we are helping to nurture someone’s creative brain and heart child when we sit down to edit. 

I send a questionnaire to all of my clients six weeks after their service. If anything negative comes back, I pout in private—sure, I’m only human—but then I reach out and try to talk to the client. Happily, most of the feedback is positive. In that case, I keep a spreadsheet of testimonials and quotes that I can pull from for my website (if I have the client’s permission, of course). Testimonials are incredibly legitimizing, so you should always collect them. 

And that brings me back to the first point in this article. Edit. Rinse. Repeat!

As a former literary agent, Mary Kole knows the ins and outs of the publishing industry firsthand. Now, she focuses on—simply—helping writers craft a good story. She founded Mary Kole Editorial in 2013 and provides consulting and developmental editing services to writers of all categories and genres, working on children’s book projects from picture book to young adult, and all kinds of trade market literature, including fantasy, sci-fi, romance and memoir. She founded Good Story Company in 2019 with the aim of providing valuable content—like the Good Story Podcast and Crit Collective writing forum—to writers of all categories and ability levels.

On the craft side, she holds an MFA in Creative Writing and have worked at Chronicle Books, the Andrea Brown Literary Agency, and Movable Type Management. She’s been blogging at Kidlit.com since 2009. Her book, Writing Irresistible Kidlit, a writing reference guide for middle grade and young adult writers, is available from Writer’s Digest Books. She is developing a class on everything a freelance editor needs to learn to start their own business, slated to launch in early 2020. You can sign up for more information here.

The post #5onFri: Five Tips for Aspiring Freelance Editors appeared first on DIY MFA.

Self-Editing

Believe me, editors are thrilled when writers realize that they need professional editing. But finishing your first draft does not mean it’s time to start looking for an editor. Every writer needs some level of self-editing before submitting their work. Copious errors distract editors from getting to the heart of your writing and some editors may charge more when they see how much work is needed. A clean manuscript will ensure you’re getting the biggest bang for your buck and the best edits possible.

Editor/Writer Relationship

Not every editor and writer were meant to work together. It’s important to research and reach out to several editors to find the right fit. Look for people knowledgeable in your genre and be sure that person can meet your timeline and budget. Clear and honest communication before, during, and after is critical to working well with your chosen editor. 

Length of the Editing Process

The editing process has multiple steps and each step requires multiple pass-throughs of your manuscript. It may take several months to receive your edits back, and the entire editing process can last over a year (or even several). That’s not to say you’ll be old and grey before your manuscript is polished. But the editing process can’t be rushed. Be patient. We’ll get there.

Feedback from Editors

We editors are not here to crush your dreams or overwrite your voice. We are here to make your writing the best it can possibly be. Will that require critical feedback? Certainly. But every suggested edit is intended to lead you to a better story. We want to see you succeed. Always keep this in mind when receiving editor feedback. 

Post-Edit Review

Editors are not here to simply change your work for you and that’s the end of it. Edits are suggestions and the changes are tracked throughout the document so you can easily see what was modified. It is the writer’s responsibility to go through the manuscript post-editing and either accept or reject the changes. If you’re unsure how to do this, ask your editor for a quick tutorial.

Editing Investment

Professional editors work hard to help make your writing shine and they should be paid fairly for their work. Editing is an investment. If you’re looking for bargain-basement pricing, you’ll end up with low-quality editing to match. When you invest in quality editing, you have a much higher chance of seeing a return.

How to “Ask the Editor”

Have a burning question for the editor? Just ask!

Jeanette is always accepting questions for our Ask the Editor column. Send a few paragraphs introducing yourself and your question to Jeanette@DIYMFA.com. You can also send up to five pages of your WIP for critique. We do our best to answer every question we receive, so keep an eye out for our next Ask the Editor article. Your question may be featured!

Jeanette the Writer is an editor, coach, and freelance writer who wants to help others demolish their editing fears and finish their manuscript. As a former scuba instructor turned entrepreneur, Jeanette knows about putting in the hard work to pursue your passions. She has worked with authors, speakers, coaches, and entrepreneurs—empowering them with the right mindset, knowledge, and tools to help them tackle their editing goals. You can learn more about Jeanette by visiting JeanetteTheWriter.com.

The post Six Things Editors Want Writers to Know appeared first on DIY MFA.

Know What You want in an Editor

Looking for an editor for your manuscript is kind of like on-line dating. You want an editor who is capable, who you can trust, and most importantly, who you connect with. There are a lot of duds out there, and often perfectly good editors that are just not the right fit for you. You will certainly go on a few awkward “first dates” before you find what you’re looking for. But be diligent. This process can end in a long-term working relationship.

Of course, word of mouth is the best way to find an editor. If you know someone who has had a great experience with a particular editor, that’s the best place to start, so ask your writerly buddies who they work with. If you need more options, there are a number of associations and sites that can help you find editor listings. Here are just a few.

Editorial Freelancers Association (US)

The Society of Freelance Editors and Proofreaders (UK)

The Institute of Professional Editors (Australia)

The Editors’ Association of Canada

These professional associations are a good place to start your search. They’re very helpful for determining the credibility of an editor, as well as establishing fair market value for the services an editor offers. They are not always a determination of the capability of an editor.

Don’t be Afraid to Ask Questions

To determine an editor’s capability, you should do two things. First, ask for references. Past clients’ experiences are very helpful in determining whether an editor can do what she says she can do. And second, if it’s not offered to you initially, ask for a sample edit. This will give you the chance to see your editor in action, to find out what she does and how she does it. Any editor who is interested in instilling confidence in you as a client will be willing to do a sample edit.

You may have a list of other things to do to help determine capability and credibility of an editor, and that’s great! Be thorough. Ask lots of questions and expect the best, most honest answers.

Make Sure You Click

After you’ve established that an editor can do what you need her to do for you, then you have to decide if you and your editor have chemistry. No, seriously. While you can reasonably expect to receive the same basic service from any editor you hire, not every editor’s personality or method is going to match your particular personality or needs as a writer.

Through your initial communications with a prospective editor, ask yourself the following questions: Does this editor respond to me courteously and in a timely manner? Is this editor willing to be transparent about the editorial process, about the cost of her service, and about her past experience?

But also, know yourself. Do you respond better to blunt, forthright criticism or do you require a more gentle approach? Would you like it if your editor’s sense of humor comes out in her edits or does humor in the editing process cause anger and stress for you? Do you need your editor to spend time going over their edits with you via Skype or do you prefer to be left to process them alone? Knowing the answers to these questions, and understanding and articulating your needs up front, will help ensure that you find the right editor for you.

Editors are a diverse bunch. There’s someone out there for everyone. By taking your time and knowing what you’re looking for, you can find that perfect match!

Elisabeth Kauffman is a freelance editor in California. Her favorite genres are YA fantasy, sci-fi, and romance. She regularly obsesses over board games, Doctor Who, and Harry Potter. Come share your ideas with her on Facebook and Twitter–@WritingRefinery–and on the web at www.writingrefinery.com

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