| Okay, in the last article we established that you | | | | Actually, you probably should have been thinking |
| have taken your manuscript as far as you can on | | | | of this all along. If you have thumbed through the |
| your own and are now looking for an editor. Well, | | | | "Writer's Market" book I suggested that you |
| there are editors and then there are editors. We | | | | purchase in an earlier article, you should already |
| have book doctor editors, writing coach editors, | | | | know something about publishers. There are large |
| collaborative editors, and copy editors. What's | | | | main stream publishers and there are small press |
| right for you? I can't tell you what you need; you | | | | publishers. There are also independent publishers |
| might be a fantastic author and may only need a | | | | and print on demand publishers. They all have |
| copy editor. However, not many writers fit into | | | | different requirements, different timelines, and |
| that category. I prefer someone who is a qualified | | | | different costs and can have a marked difference |
| writing coach or collaborative editor. | | | | in results. |
| A writing coach or collaborative editor can do | | | | When deciding how to publish your work you will |
| more than correct your spelling and grammar. | | | | have to consider all of those things as well as |
| They can look at story structure and flow, make | | | | your subject matter or genre and what goals |
| suggestions on characterization and/or help you | | | | have you set for your work? Some subjects, |
| flesh out your existing characters to give them a | | | | particularly when done by an unknown author, are |
| more three dimensional feel. As I've pointed out | | | | impossible to sell to a main stream or even a |
| before, a good editor can make even a great | | | | small press publisher. If you are writing about |
| writer look better. Good editors are hard to find | | | | something that may appeal to these kinds of |
| and when you find one, whose references check | | | | publishers it will still take a lot of time and many |
| out, they are not often cheap. I mentioned | | | | query letters to get someone to take you on. If |
| before that you may be able to find an editor | | | | you go with an independent or print on demand |
| through you local library or writers group. Another | | | | publisher it could cost you a lot of money |
| suggestion would be to check your local university | | | | depending on which of their services you choose |
| English Department. You may be able to find an | | | | to purchase. And with a print on demand publisher, |
| English Lit teacher or an advanced student who | | | | your work carries with it the industry stigma of |
| will edit your work less expensively than a | | | | something that was not good enough to pass |
| professional independent editor. However, also | | | | muster with the main stream publishers. |
| check to see if they have any experience or you | | | | We will cover the pros and cons of the various |
| may just get what you paid for. | | | | methods of getting published in part V of this |
| Now that you're working with an editor it's time | | | | series of articles. That will be followed by |
| to start thinking about how you are going to get | | | | marketing. |
| your work published. This is a really big decision. | | | | |