Have You Written a Novel?

Your novel is a part of you. You've sacrificed your toil, your free time, and maybe a few relationships to get it written. So it probably hurts when mainstream Agents, Publishers, and Editors (the big, bad APEs) tell you it's no good. Can't they see you've written the best dang thing since pre-sliced cottage cheese?

If you're familiar with this feeling, your choices are very limited:

  • Assume that these APEs don't like your book because they don't like pre-sliced cottage cheese and keep looking for one who does.

  • Self-publish and be content with the gushing adoration and praise of your mother and grandmother (and all their prominent literary critic friends).

Oh, yes, and there's also:

  • Accept that, perhaps, maybe, just maybe, your novel might possibly not be the best thing since pre-sliced cottage cheese . . . yet.

If you're reached the point of considering that unconsiderable third option, you are ready for a professional editor.

 

So, What is a Professional Editor?

First of all, it's very different from an acquisitions editor (the E of the big, bad APEs). While an acquisitions editor may encourage you to submit your proposals or manuscripts, he or she ultimately works for the publisher. His or her goal is to see that the publisher succeeds--not you.

A professional editor works for you. His or her goal is to see you grow and develop as a writer. The ultimate hope is that your goal--to improve your writing--and the publisher's goal--to acquire good writing--will coincide.

 

What does a Professional Editor do?

Actually, there are two types. A copy editor deals with your manuscript on a microscopic level. This includes:

  • Presentation issues (formatting, indents, font, etc.)

  • Usage issues (spelling, punctuation, grammar, etc.)

  • Clarity issues (redundancy, ambiguity, dead weight, etc.)


A content editor is like a content editor, but the "microscope" has a special "telescope" attachment that takes in paragraphs, scenes, chapters, and the novel as a whole. So in addition, the content editor tackles:

  • Style issues (cliches, passive voice, overused words, etc.)

  • Fiction issues (characterization, setting, point of view, etc.)

  • Marketability issues (realism, hackishness, inappropriate content, etc.)

  • Gestalt issues (theme, originality, author voice, etc.)


As your editing service, we will do all of the above and:

  • Provide a personalized critique of your strengths and weaknesses as a fiction writer (see samples at left)

  • Recommend elimination or addition of paragraphs or scenes

  • Ask questions that will challenge you to a do a stronger rewrite.

  • Suggest wording to use in a rewrite (when appropriate)

  • Work with you to resolve all issues in all rewrites (depending on your contract)

 

What does a Professional Editor NOT do?

A professional editor doesn't (or shouldn't):

  • Rewrite your novel (that's your job)

  • Force you to change your novel (that's your job too)

  • Rave over how great your writing is (sorry, that's your family's job)

  • Promise that you'll get published (that's the job of a certain deposed Nigerian dictator)


 

So, did we scare you off yet?

If you're ready to make a positive step toward getting your novel ready for publication, we are happy to discuss an editing contract with you. We offer competitive rates consistent with industry standards. For a sense of the quality and thoroughness of our editing and analysis, see the samples at left.
 

Hey, didn't we say something about FREE?

Oh, yes. If you're skeptical, let us make you a special one-time offer: a "FREE"* Edit Report. We will give the first 2500 words of your novel a full content edit, complete with analysis and suggestions as described above, for only $25.00 (That's only a penny per word--a definite bargain!).
 

How is that "free"? (And what's with that asterisk?)

*In lieu of paying via PayPal, you may send us a postdated check, which we will tear up if you're not happy with our work. Otherwise, if you decide to enter into an editing contract with us, we will discount your $25 from the contract price. Either way, the initial edit ends up being FREE.
 

All right, how do you start?

To contact us, shout really loud. If that doesn't work, try spr1ngy@aol.com.