Monday 4 June 2012

The Faux Editor – Will You Walk Into My Parlour? Said the Spider to the Fly


Some writers swear by editors, and some think editors are the very spawn of Satan. A recent survey shows writers who do use editors, on average, make more than those who don’t. Why the resistance to using editors? There are a multitude of reasons.
  1. Retaining creative control (not wanting someone else to rewrite their story) 
  2. Don’t see the value 
  3. Think their grammar is perfect or they can proof-read their own work 
  4. Editors are just evil.
I think 1 and 3 reflect fundamental misunderstandings. You can’t proof your own work because you are too close to be objective. You can never move away from your own knowledge of what you intended. 1 is slightly silly; you always retain control because a good editor won’t want to rewrite your work. An editor’s suggestions are just that – suggestions. Ultimately, it’s the writer’s job to do what he/she wants with the editor suggestions. 

I’ve seen a few really good explanations of the role of an editor recently.
  • An editor for a writer is like a coach for an elite athlete – from my husband, and perhaps not completely right, but he kind of got the gist of the idea. 
  • An editor helps to make the writing more evocative – for example, instead of ‘the door’, it could be ‘the oak door’ or a ‘carved door’ – Brandon Sanderson, Author of the Mistborn trilogy and the Stormlight Archives. 
  • The writer is the architect – not everything they dream up is structurally sound or aesthetically pleasing. The editor is the builder who helps to make the imagination a reality - @sirra_girl
None of these says the editor wants to seize control or rewrite. They are an aid to the writer only. 

As for 2 – see above about the results of the recent survey. That leaves 4. Why do some people think all editors are evil? When I first came across this attitude, I was struck by the impression of a man (or a woman) hating the opposite sex after a particularly nasty divorce. Writers are having bad experiences. Why? Setting aside outright fraud, there are two possible reasons – writers selling their ‘editing’ services when they hold no editorial qualifications or experience, and lack of understanding of the different editing services.

Editing Services

So the first problem is a misconception among many writers that an editor only checks grammar and proof-reading. I have news for you; that is not an editor’s primary role! There are in fact three generic categories of editing service:

Full Edit – Both substantive and copy-edits (proof-reading). Substantive edits look at everything including plot, pacing, voice, and character development. An explanation of a problem is often abstract, so the editor may or may not give some examples of alternate wording. Usually, these would occur first, and the manuscript will be returned to you to decide what revisions to make and to write any extra scenes required, etc. Then the manuscript is returned to the editor for copy-editing i.e. spelling, grammar, repetitive word use and syntax. 

Beta Read – If you are unlucky enough not to know any other writers who can do a beta read for you, you can pay an editor for that as well. This gives you a high-level impression of the book and notes on where the story isn’t working, but it’s entirely up to you to make changes, and even to figure out what changes to make. An editor will probably provide more comprehensive notes than a free beta read by a fellow writer. 

Proof Read – copy-editing changes only. Software is available to check their grammar as well. I can’t comment on its accuracy (although I’ve heard they aren’t 100% accurate) but they will try to correct deliberate grammatical errors. Ever noticed MS Word telling you you’ve used a fragment? Sometimes we use fragments deliberately. You don’t want to spend $150-$300 on software only to have it suck the life out of your story. At best, this kind of software offers a proof-read of poorer quality than an editor’s proofing. 

What’s often not explained is that when a writer is told to have their work ‘edited’, it means a full edit. Hopefully, you’ve already put your manuscript through the beta reading process with critique partners and groups. You probably need to before you engage an editor because professional editing is the last part of the process. The proof-read is the very last (and perhaps least important) part of a professional edit. Don’t be deceived into believing you are paying hundreds of dollars to have your typos corrected – you’re not, or shouldn’t be. 

The Faux Editor

If you do appreciate the different services, then you may run into the faux editor. 

I don’t know what the deal is with this one. There are different types of faux editors. Some are writers who think after a while they know enough to charge others for their wisdom. Um, no. I’ve been around the traps a bit and think I know a lot, but I could never justify charging for it. What I know (and can explain) is but a drop of water in the ocean compared to what my editors know. This is like hanging around with a lawyer for a few years and then thinking you can start charging for legal advice! Writers, you cannot charge for what is essentially a beta reading critique. You do it for free, and others do the same for you. It’s a mutually beneficial arrangement. Karma. Whatever you want to call it. But it’s not a chargeable service. 

You also cannot decide that you have some background in some language related field (law, English, marketing, journalism, or non-fiction editing); and therefore, you can edit fiction work.

The degree of feedback you will get from an editor for a full edit or beta read is significantly more in-depth than what you will get from another writer with no qualifications or experience in the fiction publishing field. Even proof-reading for grammar and syntax, unless the faux editor has some kind of background in this field, won’t be of the same quality as a professional freelance editor. And believe me, your readers don’t need to know your grammar is bad for your sentence to fail to have the desired impact. 

If the editor you are looking at is a writer seeking to charge for editing, or a non-fiction editor offering editing services for fiction, I strongly urge you to go elsewhere. It is highly improbable this person will give you value for money and the degree of feedback an editor should be giving you. Unless, of course, you are well aware of the editor’s background and experience and you are prepared to accept the feedback you get won’t be as comprehensive as it could be – in which case I also hope you are paying a significantly reduced rate. 

What you should look for is some qualification or experience (preferably both) in publishing or writing related fields. The editor should also be a member of the Editors Freelance Association (although some choose not to be a member for various reasons) and/or perform quality work according to their guidelines and charge according to their recommended rates. 

Also, beware legitimate editing companies specialising in non-fiction work. They often operate via a ‘team’ of editors. You may never meet your editor or interact with them in any way and these companies are intended for anything from commercial documents, marketing, in-house policies and procedures to college essays. They are not recommended for fiction, and the only service they offer is technical copy-editing. This service can suffer from the same problems as the software – correcting deliberate grammatical errors for lack of appreciation of the reasons for their inclusion. Even if all you want is a copy edit, this is not a recommended service for fiction.

What are the signs of a good editor?
  • Qualifications and/or experience in the publishing industry
  • Will tell you if the service you have requested is unsuitable e.g. if your manuscript is still at the beta reading stage and you have requested a full edit
  • Will look at plot, pacing, character and voice as well as spelling, grammar and syntax
  • Won’t rewrite your manuscript or make significant changes without discussion/permission
  • Will explain corrections made and technical problems identified
  • May give examples of alternative wordings for problem areas
  • Will do the substantive edits, return to you for revision, and then the copy edits (note: lawyers work this way too!)
  • Has a professional attitude and doesn’t belittle your work while providing honest feedback
  • Has a professional and grammatically correct website
What are the signs of the faux editor?
  • No qualification or experience, or asserts qualification and experience which amounts to:
o   A lot of reading/reviewing experience;
o   Experienced writer offering betas or critiques;
o   Qualifications in fields such as law, journalism, communications or similar but not specifically in writing and with no in-house publishing experience;
  • Doesn’t offer a choice of levels of editing and offers a one-size-fits-all edit service – this may be a sign the ‘editor’ doesn’t appreciate the need for different kinds of editing
  • Rewrites significant portions of your manuscript regardless of need or permission
  • Doesn’t suggest changes but dictates a change you must make
  • Promises a “full’ edit but doesn’t look at character, plot, pacing, voice, or any other creative writing issues
  • Unprofessional in interactions with the writer – not responding to communications, or lack of manners and timeliness, or belittles the writer for their errors
  • A website that demonstrates grammatical errors.

If you’ve been burned by a bad editing experience, I challenge you to reflect on the experience and consider these questions. Was your ‘editor’ maybe a faux editor, or was the bad experience perhaps due to poor expectation management? Not all editors are created equal, so shop around for a real, legitimate editor. If they are professional editors, they will be more than happy to provide free sample edits and references. As a consumer, you have the right to ask questions, so don’t be afraid to ask. Ensure that you’re getting the service you paid for and the result you expected. 

If you enjoyed this post, please feel free to check out my previous posts if you haven't already. If you're finding yourself here often, you might like to join as a member, sign up to the blog through RSS or email, or subscribe to my newsletter.

Don't forget to share the love and spread the word on Twitter, Facebook or StumbleUpon (or other social networking site of your choice) if you know other people who might also enjoy this.

Thanks for stopping by and visiting with us!

29 comments:

Joyce Alton said...

Fantastic blogpost. I know a few writers who are looking into editorial services and I'll be sure to pass the link on to them.

Mina Lobo said...

Thanks for this brilliant, thorough, and wonderfully informative blog post! I'm bookmarking it for future reference! Do you recommend folks seeking editorial services look in any particular places? (Writing periodicals, Web sites?) Any suggestions gratefully received!
Some Dark Romantic

Tomstronach242 said...

So, you and Jaye Manus are pencilled in to do my book, not that I have looked at it since February, so there is no rush xxx

BTW seems, as usual, like good advice even to those of us who aren't writers, but admire the process

Ciara Ballintyne said...

Thanks, glad you found it useful enough to pass on :-)

Ciara Ballintyne said...

I would not hesitate to recommend my own editor who you can find on twitter @sirra_girl or http://sirraedits.wordpress.com/ Otherwise the Editorial Freelancers Association has member listings to help you find an editor (http://www.the-efa.org/dir/search.php), which is probably a good place to start. Good editors CAN also be found on Twitter (it's where I found mine) but you'd want to check them out thoroughly first.

Ciara Ballintyne said...

Glad the advice is useful! Would be happy to beta read for you, but I certainly don't purport to be an editor myself.

Diana Stevan said...

A nice overview of what to look for and what not to look for when it comes to hiring an editor. And thanks for clearing up the common misconceptions out there about editors. I agree that a good editor will make a half-decent book so much better.

Ciara Ballintyne said...

Thanks, I was starting to see that this wasn't being explained enough, and I've seen a few writers get sucked in by 'so-called' editors who aren't qualified professionals, so I decided maybe it was time for someone to spell it out.

Sirraedits said...

Hi. There was another misconception/expectation many writers have. They think the editor has to love a book in order to edit it. That is not true. While the editor has to be well-read in the genre, it's not an absolute necessity to do the job efficiently and successfully. Just thought I add that. Great job!

Monique Rockliffe said...

Fantastic post! Thanks so much! Finding that perfect editor can be a daunting prospect for a new author. Are there listings of great editors anywhere newbie/aspiring authors can find easily? Or can you possibly recommend some?

Linda said...

This is so right-on! Thanks.

Ciara Ballintyne said...

Absolutely agree. A substantive edit is not a subjective like/dislike assessment but an objective assessment of the craft sitting behind the story.

Ciara Ballintyne said...

I am not aware of a listing anywhere although that doesn't mean one doesn't exist. That said, I would not hesitate to recommend my own editor who you can find on twitter @sirra_girl or http://sirraedits.wordpress.com Otherwise the Editorial Freelancers Association has member listings to help you find an editor (http://www.the-efa.org/dir/search.php%29) which is probably a good place to start.

Ciara Ballintyne said...

Thanks, glad you agree :-)

Amanda Stephan said...

Ha! Loved the post. I never thought of an editor as being anything other than necessary. Thank you for breaking down editing services. That helps tremendously!

Monique Rockliffe said...

Thanks, Ciara. I have taken down the details.

Terri Bruce said...

Definately a great post! Everyone, including authors, can always learn something new. One sort of offhand, minor correction led to a discussion with my editor that made me realize I had been doing a particular thing wrong (because I didn't know any better). Once I understand what I was doing wrong, I was thrilled with this new knowledge - I know my writing will be better for it!

Mina Lobo said...

Fabulous - thank you!

D G said...

Bang on. Thanks for posting this, Ciara!

Ciara Ballintyne said...

Happy to help, glad you found it useful :-)

Ciara Ballintyne said...

That's exactly it, we make mistakes because we don't know any better - and we WON'T know any better until someone tells us. For errors in the finer points of writing, this will usually need to be a professional editor, unless the writer is lucky enough to know a genius writer who will beta read for them.

Ciara Ballintyne said...

My pleasure, thanks for commenting :-)

YasminSelenaButt said...

Thanks for this info, it was the exact same Q I was about to ask : )

Ciara Ballintyne said...

My pleasure

Dannie Hill said...

I enjoyed this post and it makes me think a lot about what is right and wrong. I'm a writer and I know that I need an editor-- at the very least one. But they do scare me and for several of the reasons you've listed.
I've been lucky with editors but as with many writers, I think many editors just don't like writers and have little respect for them. They, the editors, have learned a skill and want to apply it but why do they have to put up with these sensitive bunch of... writers. Just get out of my way and let me tell you what you did wrong!
That's only a little daydream and not a flame at editors. Most are caring and want to help. The one thing I think editors should keep in mind is their customer is sensitive and will very likely not make enough money to recoup the expense of hiring an editor. So why do they do it? They want the readers-- even if there are only a few-- to have somthing good to read! And we know that editors help us present that knid of product.
It's a love/hate thing and I'm hear to say that as a writer I love you guys!

Dannie Hill said...

I enjoyed this post and it makes me think a lot about what is right and wrong. I'm a writer and I know that I need an editor-- at the very least one. But they do scare me and for several of the reasons you've listed.
I've been lucky with editors but as with many writers, I think many editors just don't like writers and have little respect for them. They, the editors, have learned a skill and want to apply it but why do they have to put up with these sensitive bunch of... writers. Just get out of my way and let me tell you what you did wrong!
That's only a little daydream and not a flame at editors. Most are caring and want to help. The one thing I think editors should keep in mind is their customer is sensitive and will very likely not make enough money to recoup the expense of hiring an editor. So why do they do it? They want the readers-- even if there are only a few-- to have something good to read! And we know that editors help us present that kind of product.
It's a love/hate thing and I'm here to say that as a writer I love you guys!

online manuscript editing said...

Having read all the post I totally recognize all the points are true.

Ciara Ballintyne said...

I think the problem with a lot of editors is they aren't really editors at all - just writers who think they can charge for beta reading. And sometimes they are the cruellest of all.

Writers should be getting editors because writing is a business and there's no point trying to sell an unsaleable product. And if the product costs more to produce than selling it will generate, it is a bad business decision. For writers who just want to share their work, there are plenty of ways to do so for free.

Ciara Ballintyne said...

Thank you

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...
Real Time Analytics