Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Vanity: Do I Really Need an Editor?
self | today | Grannyx4

Posted on 09/08/2005 7:08:26 PM PDT by Vor Lady

This is for any of you Freepers who have published books. I am done with the first 400 of hopefully 500+ pages of a novel. I'm wondering if I really do need an editor to get the thing published. I talked to a local person who advertises as an editor and she quoted me a rate of $3.00-$5.00 PER PAGE! Is that normal? Reasonable? All I think I need is someone to tell me if it is in the right format to submit to a publisher; does that really cost $1200-2000? I have had several friends read it over for errors and I have spell checker; grammar checker and my self reading it over for errors. What do you think? I would appreciate ANY help! Thanks in advance, Grannyx4


TOPICS: Books/Literature; Chit/Chat
KEYWORDS: editors; novel
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-45 next last
To: republican4ever

Thanks for the input! Does her rate of $3.00-5.00 per page seem reasonable to you?


21 posted on 09/08/2005 7:23:01 PM PDT by Vor Lady (I'm too young to feel this d*&m old.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 15 | View Replies]

To: Grannyx4
My recommendation is to heed Jeff Head's advice. He's a great writer and his material is readily available at amazon.com, etc.
22 posted on 09/08/2005 7:23:51 PM PDT by jdm
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Grannyx4
That would be fiction - you need an editor. You can try the agent route that others are speaking of, but you're going to shell out more money for that both up front and in the end.

You can do the self publish route - better for fantasy than fiction, unfortunately. Various e-book sellers on the web accept contributions from individual authors on a commission basis, but honestly, once you publish in any form, no publisher is going to want to print it.
23 posted on 09/08/2005 7:24:50 PM PDT by kingu (Draft Fmr Senator Fred Thompson for '08.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 14 | View Replies]

To: All

Thanks so VERY much for all your input! I love FR for all the things I learn!


24 posted on 09/08/2005 7:24:57 PM PDT by Vor Lady (I'm too young to feel this d*&m old.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Grannyx4
The big question is, before discussing fees, is what have they edited in the past? Is it a successful series? Did they edit the first book? Did they aid in getting it published?

Honestly, I think that most authors know more about the lives of their editors than they did of their spouses when they got married.
25 posted on 09/08/2005 7:29:08 PM PDT by kingu (Draft Fmr Senator Fred Thompson for '08.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 21 | View Replies]

To: Grannyx4

Editors usually charge by the word. I think I read something like .015 per word... if I can find the site, I'll send you the link. Count the number of words per page and figure it out. At first sight, the rate does not look bad.


26 posted on 09/08/2005 7:29:17 PM PDT by republican4ever (The destiny of Israel marks the destiny of the rest of the world... whether you like it or not!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 21 | View Replies]

To: Grannyx4
While I haven't been published, I do know that using an editor is the best way to go. Not just for now, but for the future. The big publishing companies will look more favorably upon your future works if you have done all of the "right things." We just had a huge writers conference in my area, and reps from the big houses were there and this was their "must do" recommendations. (self publishing is also a big no no to them, btw.)
27 posted on 09/08/2005 7:31:59 PM PDT by ladyinred (Leftist=Anti American!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Grannyx4

I'll do it fer $2.00 a page. I talk real good and am a good spellur.


28 posted on 09/08/2005 7:40:08 PM PDT by Doohickey (If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice...I will choose freewill.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: ladyinred

The woman I talked to is big into self publishing. When I think self publishing I see those books on my shelves that look 'homemade'. Bad covers, bad graphics; 'homemade'. I sew my own clothes so I'm not necessarily against homemade things but I have yet to see a self published book that looks 'professional'.


29 posted on 09/08/2005 7:40:58 PM PDT by Vor Lady (I'm too young to feel this d*&m old.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 25 | View Replies]

To: republican4ever

I have 185K words so far. Let's see, .015 x 185,000 = $2,775.00! I had no idea publishing a book would be so expensive! Maybe I picked the wrong hobby!


30 posted on 09/08/2005 7:44:06 PM PDT by Vor Lady (I'm too young to feel this d*&m old.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 26 | View Replies]

To: Doohickey

Are you trying to make me spit shiraz all over my keyboard?


31 posted on 09/08/2005 7:46:12 PM PDT by Vor Lady (I'm too young to feel this d*&m old.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 28 | View Replies]

To: Doohickey; Grannyx4
I'll do it fer $2.00 a page. I talk real good and am a good spellur.

I'm a twelve times produced playwright.

I'll do it for a buck three eighty!

32 posted on 09/08/2005 7:52:59 PM PDT by Focault's Pendulum (I'm not a curmudgeon!!!! I've just been in a bad mood since '73)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 28 | View Replies]

To: Focault's Pendulum

Do you also do screenplays? I keep thinking this book would be a great action movie.
Is a buck three eighty = to a buck eighty three? Or are you talking caliber?


33 posted on 09/08/2005 8:02:06 PM PDT by Vor Lady (I'm too young to feel this d*&m old.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 32 | View Replies]

To: Grannyx4
Do you also do screenplays?

Screenplays are for hacks!

I once commanded the English Prose. Because my work was presented on stage...I had the opportunity to become my own editor. I lived and died by the audience....sort of gave me an immediate shock , when I had done things wrong...also the times when I had written words that carried the day.

Unfortunately darlin'...I'm retired.

Sounds like you're trying to do a Vanity Press. Good luck to you. Somewhat difficult to do.

34 posted on 09/08/2005 8:17:03 PM PDT by Focault's Pendulum (I'm not a curmudgeon!!!! I've just been in a bad mood since '73)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 33 | View Replies]

To: Focault's Pendulum

Alas, I am probably just a hack, but this hack would like to see her name on a bona fide published book cover!

I'm not smart enough to be the next Shakespeare, nor probably talented enough to be you. :) But I appreciate your comments none the less.


35 posted on 09/08/2005 8:45:09 PM PDT by Vor Lady (I'm too young to feel this d*&m old.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 34 | View Replies]

To: Grannyx4

A word to the wise on your editing, Granny, is to consider trimming your book down considerably.

I interned at a small book publisher, and all they (and I stress they) considered were non-fiction. However, a publisher risks a lot on new large books by first-time authors. Often times, books are shipped according to size. Also, take into account length. How much of what you're saying, if it's non-fiction, is repetition? How much is editorializing? These are the things that add up. To sell your book, you first must make it marketable.


36 posted on 09/08/2005 10:05:42 PM PDT by pirateman
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 35 | View Replies]

To: Grannyx4

Recommend you read up on the industry before you publish. There are plenty of good resources on-line and at your local book store (writing resources usually has its own section). Getting smart on the book publishing world now before you jump in will save you a lot of headaches.


37 posted on 09/09/2005 4:16:44 AM PDT by meowmeow (Meow! Meow!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Grannyx4

You could publish it yourself. see www.lulu.com


38 posted on 09/09/2005 7:29:03 AM PDT by aimhigh
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: pirateman

Thanks for the input. It's a fiction work. Short by Tom Clancey standards.


39 posted on 09/09/2005 4:09:05 PM PDT by Vor Lady (I'm too young to feel this d*&m old.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 36 | View Replies]

To: meowmeow

Thanks for your input. I have an old Writer's Market and Nover and Short Story publishing by Writer's Market. Jeff Head gave me some good advice up thread.


40 posted on 09/09/2005 4:10:27 PM PDT by Vor Lady (I'm too young to feel this d*&m old.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 37 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-45 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson