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Editing
One of the most difficult issues a self-publishing author deals with is editing. In addition to the varying degrees of editing, there's the issue of the
considerable cost involved. In our traditional and subsidy publishing formats, professional editing is included in the publishing process.
Most every professional writer realizes that it's difficult to do an edit of their own work. Considering that they are the one who introduced the
errors in the first place, it's unlikely they could identify all their mistakes and make corrections. As a writer writes, their mind knows the story
and automatically at a subconscious level, fills in the blanks. A sentence that makes perfect sense to the writer may leave a reader bewildered. A
reader doesn't know the storyline and must be spoon fed each and every detail, so they can easily follow it. If it has gaps or supposes the reader
already understands something they don't, it may be confusing and they will lose interest quickly. Editing can help turn a manuscript draft into a
professional work.
The art and science of editing is a specialized field requiring unique skills. Some of the best editors are not authors. The reason for this is that an
author may have a lack of objectivity in editing certain kinds of work. For example, if the editor is a writer of science fiction and is editing a
similar work, they may unintentionally introduce their own writing style into the work. An editor should be unbiased and objective. Their job is to
perfect the writing, not change the style, content, or color the work in a way not intended by the writer. Maintaining the author's original voice is
important.
A professional edit begins by reading the work to understand the concept and goal the writer intended. Obviously editing a children's book is quite
different from editing a work of science fiction. Even though many editors read at exceptional speeds, it still takes hours to complete. Once the
editor understands the storyline and what the writer intends, they start at chapter one with the first edit. Just imagine the time involved reading a
two hundred and fifty page manuscript, paying attention to every single word and how that word relates to others. Professional editing for that
manuscript will take an editor many hours depending upon the extent of the edit. Some editors after finishing the first edit, allow the manuscript
to rest for a few days before starting the final edit.
Now comes the interaction with the writer, determining what portions of the edit will be adopted and incorporated into the work. A final proof read
is then made, and the edit process is complete. Give another editor a chance at the work, and they may have an entirely different opinion. Because
editing is as much an art form as a science, editing is subjective, and another editor may consider a previously completed work, to need further
editing.
Editing is not an event, it is a process. Editing is not merely a spelling and grammar check. Good editing involves structural composition and flow
of words, and how they are understood by the reader. Most editors follow the Chicago Manual of Style which is a widely accepted standard of rules.
A good editor knows when to follow grammatical rules and when to make exceptions. If following the rules changes the intent or flow of thought in
a sentence, the editor may make an exception. This is where a top flight editor is worth their weight in gold. As an author once said "A skilled
editor can turn chicken s#*t into chicken salad." As crude as that sounds, it may be valid. An editor can take a supposedly completed work and
polish it to a bright shine. Professional editors justifiably command a great deal of respect in the industry.
Any given work, has many critics and is continually scrutinized from novice to expert. Everyone may have a different opinion of the quality of the
writing and the skill of the writer. Ten expert evaluations may yield eleven opinions. This is the reason cars are painted different colors, because
everyone has a different idea as to which color, is the right color.
It can be highly embarrassing to have your manuscript printed and offered for sale when it's riddled with obvious errors. The reader should be
captivated by the story, not continually distracted by the mistakes. This is what distinguishes the amateur from the professional. Who would be
proud to put their name on, and promote something that was not their best work? The answer is obvious; only an amateur. A professional offers
their best work, and it's part of what makes them a professional. Most agents and publishers will not consider a manuscript that is poorly written
by an obvious amateur, regardless of how compelling the story may be. Their job is to select the cream of the crop, not inferior writing that has
potential.
Editing is a considerable expense. Any editor or service that offers editing for a hundred bucks or so is probably not offering much in the way of
professional editing. Professional editing typically costs in the neighborhood of 1.2 to 3.0 cents per word. The more highly skilled the editor, the
greater the cost for their services. Editing may be expensive, but in the final analysis, it's money well spent. Any expense that improves or perfects
your work is an investment with a potential reward.
©2010 Brighton Publishing LLC