Louise Harnby | Fiction Editor & Proofreader
  • Home
  • Resource library
  • Services
  • Courses
  • Books
  • Podcast
  • Blog
  • Training login
  • Contact
The Editing Blog: for Editors, Proofreaders and Writers

FOR EDITORS, PROOFREADERS AND WRITERS

6 tips for aspiring indie authors

10/11/2021

0 Comments

 
Here are 6 tips that will help emerging indie authors make informed decisions about their editing and writing process during NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) and beyond.
Picture
Picture


1. Understand the different types of editing

Regardless of whether an author’s doing their own editing or working with someone like me, I always advise them to make sure they understand the different levels of editing and the order of play.

The first draft of a book is unlikely to be ready for proofreading. Instead, focus on structure first – so how the story hangs together as a whole.

Next comes stylistic line work that focuses on the flow and rhythm of prose.

Copyediting comes after that. This is the more technical side of the work that looks at consistency and clarity.

Only then is it time for the quality-control stage: proofreading.
​
Writers who want to know more can watch a video, listen to a podcast episode or download a booklet.
Picture


2. Top tools and methods for writers on a budget

To make the most of your budget, focus on the five Cs:
​
  • community
  • content
  • craft books
  • courses
  • conscious language

Community
​Take a look at the Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi) and the Society of Authors. They’re two fine examples of organizations who are dedicated to supporting writers at different stages of their journey.

Membership includes access to free and affordable paid-for events and resources. But they offer something else that’s incredibly valuable too – a network of like-minded people.

Trying to make your mark in the publishing world can feel overwhelming, so being able to get advice and inspiration from others on the same journey is priceless.


Content
There’s a ton of useful – and free – guidance about the craft of writing online, so it’s worth budget-sensitive writers spending time digging around in the search engines. However, those interested in sentence-level guidance can visit my resource library as a first port of call.

I also recommend The Creative Penn, a superb knowledge bank through which Joanna Penn guides aspiring authors on how to write, how to get their books published and how to make their work visible. I love Joanna’s genuine and approachable teaching style, and how she makes self-publishing accessible to everyone.

​Craft books

Books are the most affordable way I know of accessing high-quality guidance. There are lots – too many to mention here – but I recommend fiction writers start with The Magic of Fiction by Beth Hill because it pays attention to structure and helps writers create a great first draft.

My own Editing Fiction at Sentence Level focuses on line craft that helps writers refine the flow, rhythm, mood, voice and style of their prose.
Picture
For non-fiction writers, Andy Maslen’s Write to Sell is an excellent tool for any content creator who wants to craft a compelling message, something that’s critical for authors when they’re promoting their books.

And Joanna Penn’s How to Write Non-Fiction takes authors step by step through the whole book-creation process – from mindset to marketing and everything else in between.

Courses
Love learning at your own pace? Online courses are an affordable and convenient way to study in a multimedia environment.

There are lots to choose from. For starters, take a look at Joanna Penn’s business-focused author courses, and for craft-based tuition for fiction, try Narrative Distance: A Toolbox for Writers and Editors and Preparing Your Book for Submission, two courses from my own training stable.

The National Writing Centre also offers online training that aims to build authors’ confidence. Some of their courses are even free. The NWC also partners with the University of East Anglia to provide more in-depth premium creative-writing courses that come with tutor support.

Conscious language
Anyone who’s aware of the events surrounding Kate Clanchy’s Some Kids I Taught and What They Taught Me will understand the importance of reviewing their work through the lens of representation.

I’m not for a minute suggesting that a work of fiction or non-fiction has to follow a set of prescribed ‘rules’ about what can or can’t be written, but rather that writing means applying the same mindfulness to the words we put on a page as those that come out of our mouths.

When we write, we’re building a relationship with our readers, even though we don’t know who most of them are. And so consciously considering whether our words are helping or harming is just good human practice – one that means our books function as we intend them to, whether that’s to teach or to entertain.

For authors who want a little more guidance on this, I have a free booklet on inclusive and respectful writing. It doesn’t prescribe, just helps writers make informed decisions.
Picture


​3. Manage your first draft appropriately

The first draft isn’t usually something that should be sent to an editor. More often, the first draft is where the author lays down the story just as it comes.

Once that’s done, put the book away – just let it sit for a while – then revisit it and decide what’s working and what isn’t, what needs refining, amplifying or deleting.
Perhaps follow Sophie Hannah and Jeffery Deaver’s lead and create detailed outlines that help keep you on track even at first-draft stage. You can read more about Hannah’s method in ‘Why and how I plan my novels’.

If you do decide to work with an editor, invest time in finding someone who’s a great fit for you: someone who gets you and is engaged with what you’re doing with your writing.

That person should also be offering the right level of editing (see 1. Understand the different types of editing).

And tell them if you’re nervous about being edited; it’s perfectly normal to feel that way. Just bear in mind that they’re on your side and are working for you, for your book and for your reader!


​4. Understand the difference between style, convention and peevery

I'm sometimes asked: 'What’s your biggest writing pet peeve as an editor?' My answer is: There’s no room for pet peeves in professional editing – or at least there shouldn’t be.

Do I have preferences? I do – everyone does – but that’s all they are and they have no business in the work that editors do for their clients. Our job is to focus on a client’s goals, the world of their story, and the readers who’ll come along for the journey.
​
There are stylistic and grammatical conventions in writing, and a professional editor should understand those and be mindful of them, but editing requires a malleable mindset that respects voice and rhythm as much as anything else.

​It’s about sense and sensibility, not prescriptivism and pedantry.

Listen right here to this collection of episodes from The Editing Podcast on language, grammar and style:


5. Recognize the pros and cons of being your own publisher

The main advantage of being an indie author is that you get to control everything.

The main disadvantage is … you get to control everything!

You’re the publisher as well as the writer, which means you decide which books to write and publish, what the cover will look like, which levels of editorial help to commission, which channels to distribute your book through, what the price will be, what formats the book will be available in, and how your promotion strategy will play out.

That’s a lot of work – work that costs you time and money. Publishers will do some of it for you. Still, that will come at a cost because you’ll be taking a royalty that’s likely lower than the return from selling direct.

Being your own publisher isn’t everyone’s wheelhouse, but for those who want to be in control, there’s never been a better time to wear that hat because of all the technical solutions available to authors.

Any writer can use Amazon. It’s the biggest bookstore on the planet. But you might want to sell direct via your website, too, because that’s your very own shop window.

Platforms like Payhip and BookFunnel have made that possible, and it’s made it easy … not just for you but for your customers too.

And for authors who are not only writing but also teaching about writing, there are multiple platforms that support that too – LearnDash (Wordpress plugin), LearnWorlds and Teachable for example.


6. Take control of cramped and communal work spaces

Having a dedicated work space means you're not shifting two large monitors and a hard drive off the dinner table every evening. For those working from home, having a place where your business ‘lives’ helps you separate writing from family life. 

I realize that everyone’s situation is different, but I hope at least one of the following tips will speak to anyone trying to carve out a dedicated work space.
​
  • Agree boundaries in shared spaces: Decide which part is yours and which is theirs, and respect that.
  • Create boundaries in multifunctional spaces: Some writers have to work in a bedroom, kitchen or living room. If there’s enough space, fence off a corner with a panelled room divider. These can be pricey so an alternative is to install a rail and fashion a curtain from an old duvet cover or sheet.
  • Use mobile desks in cramped spaces: Mobile desks are readily available online and are priced competitively so that even writers on a smaller budget can house a monitor, keyboard, mouse and hard drive. Complement with a storage trolley for your books and stationery. Wheel the whole lot into another room when required!


​Summing up

There’s a lot to think about when you decide to become your own publisher – not just what you write but also who supports you during that process, the ways you’ll invest in developing your craft and how to manage the space in which your books are written.
​
You’re not alone. There’s a ton of help available to help you … whatever your budget and whatever subject or genre you’re writing in. These 6 tips barely scratch the surface, but I hope they at least inspire you to take the next steps of your indie-author journey with confidence.
Louise Harnby is a line editor, copyeditor and proofreader who specializes in working with crime, mystery, suspense and thriller writers.

She is an Advanced Professional Member of the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (CIEP), a member of ACES, a Partner Member of The Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi), and co-hosts The Editing Podcast.

  • Get in touch: Louise Harnby | Fiction Editor & Proofreader
  • Connect: Twitter at @LouiseHarnby, Facebook and LinkedIn
  • Learn: Books and courses
  • Discover: Resources for authors and editors
0 Comments

7 reasons why I’m not the right editor for you

18/1/2021

6 Comments

 
Every author deserves to work with an editor who’s a great fit for their book.

​Commissioning editorial help means investing your money and your trust in someone you might never have met. It’s therefore critical that you choose the right editor.

Below are 7 reasons why I won’t be a good fit for you.
7 reasons why I’m not the right editor for you
7 reasons why I’m not the right editor for you


​1. You’ve written an academic or non-fiction book

Fiction and non-fiction are different. Yes, there are conventions when it comes to spelling choice and grammar, but fiction often requires a nuanced approach that respects not just authorial style but character voice and environment too.

Specialist fiction editors deal with issues that a specialist academic editor won’t. For example:

> reviewing consistency of narration style and viewpoint
> ensuring dialogue evokes mood, voice and intention
> checking character-trait consistency
> evaluating shown versus told prose

And academic editors regularly tackle issues that fiction editors don’t. For example:

> cross-checking in-text citations against references
> checking tables, figures, images and captions
> reviewing complex chapter structures
> ensuring multiple heading levels are consistent and applied logically

But there’s something else. Fiction editors need not only to allow non-standard variants in grammar, punctuation and syntax, but embrace them. Why? Because that’s where the magic can happen.

I’m a specialist fiction editor. You don’t want me in charge of ensuring the references in your article on cross-generational sexualities, life course and ageing are formatted according to Harvard. Hire an academic editor instead.

However, if you struggle with point of view, or worry your chapters lack suspense, I can help.
Need help understanding grammar and punctuation in fiction?
I have a library of resources dedicated to helping fiction writers get to grips with different aspects of sentence mastery. Find out more about the following:

> narrative point of view
> grammar
> punctuation
> dialogue and thoughts
> mood and rhythm

2. I don’t work on your novel’s genre

Some fiction editors work across genres, which is absolutely fine. I choose to specialise in crime fiction, mysteries, thrillers and suspense.

Despite genre tropes – recurring themes that readers enjoy and expect – there’s no formula to writing great fiction, which means there’s no formula when it comes to editing these books either. 

For example, character voice, story arc, plot, and authorial style are just four reasons why Ian Rankin offers a different reading experience to Harlan Coben, and why both those writers’ novels have a different feel to them from Margaret Atwood’s books.

So why am I picky about genre? It’s simple. I have a fixed number of hours every weekday to devote to my job. I want to love every minute of working with an author. And so just as I choose to drink black tea because that’s how I like it, so I choose to specialize in crime, mysteries, thrillers and suspense.

If you’ve written literary fiction, romance, young adult, erotica or historical fiction, I recommend you work with an editor who loves to edit those genres. That way, you can be sure they’re invested in your book in the same way I’m invested in everything from the cosy whodunit, to the hardboiled police prodecural, to the high-octane thriller.

Of course, many novels are hybrids, for example:
​
> romantic suspense
> supernatural mystery
> sci-fi thriller
> historical crime fiction

I welcome the opportunity to work on hybrids because they still tick my suspense and thrill boxes!
Need help deciding whether to work with a subject/genre specialist?
For an overview of just some of the subgenres in the crime and thriller field, read: Crime fiction subgenres: Where does your novel fit?

And if you need more guidance on working with a specialist, try a few episodes from The Editing Podcast’s Genre and Subject Editing Collection below.

3. You need help with plot and story structure

If you’re committed to getting your novel’s structure right before you do anything else, I commend you.

You clearly understand that there are different levels of editing, all of which serve a different purpose, and that big-picture work around plot and structure comes first.

I’m a specialist sentence-level editor, which means I come in after that big-picture work’s complete.

Line work focuses on the mood, rhythm and readability of your narrative and dialogue. It ensures your readers are captivated and love every minute they spend on the page with you rather than flicking to the end to find out whodunit.  

Editors like me focus on the following:
​
> authenticity of phrasing and word choice in relation to character voice
> spelling, grammar, syntax, punctuation, hyphenation and capitalization
> dialogue expression: style, tagging and punctuation
> effectiveness of sentence-level narration
> character-trait consistency
> pace and flow: special attention to repetition and overwriting
> told versus shown prose
> cliché and awkward metaphor
> use of tenses
> layout guidance
> letter, word, line and paragraph spacing​
> chapter sequencing
> standard document formatting
Need more help understanding the different levels of editing?
If you’re unfamiliar with the different levels of editing, watch this video, listen to the audio, and download the accompanying free booklet.
Resources about the different levels of editing

4. You need the work done next week

Many professional editors get booked up fast and months in advance.

I recommend you start researching who you want to work with before you’ve finished writing so you know what their availability is. That way you won’t be disappointed.

I'm usually booked nine to twelve months ahead, so unless a client cancels I won’t be available to help you next week.

Bear in mind, too, how much time the novel edit will take. Two factors are length and complexity. These are ballpark figures, but I set aside the following for the types of editing I offer:

​> between 2 and 5 weeks for line editing
> between 1 week and 3 for proofreading

Developmental work might take an editor even longer depending on how much help a writer needs.

If you’re working with several editors at different stages, you’ll need to build time into the overall schedule to review their work and implement their suggestions.
Want to understand more about how fast editors work?
For an overview of the factors that influence how fast an editor can work on a manuscript, listen to this episode of The Editing Podcast: How long does editing take?

5. You need a cheap editor

Every author has a budget based on what they’re prepared to pay and able to pay. Every editor has a budget based on what they want to earn and need to earn to make a living.

Sometimes there’s a good fit; sometimes there isn’t.

Many editors (me included) don’t publish prices on their websites because each project needs to be assessed on its own merits.

And so while I can’t tell you what it will cost to have your novel edited without seeing a sample, I can tell you that if it’s 80K words long, it’ll cost you way more than a couple of hundred quid. 

My line-editing speed is around 1,000 words per hour depending on the complexity of the work. That's why I said above that line editing a novel can take between 2 and 5 weeks. 

Now stack that up against what any working person needs to earn to feed themselves, pay their rent/mortgage, and meet their taxation and insurance responsibilities every month.

The question is this: will someone who's willing to edit 80K words for £250 invest 80 hours on the project? If their average speed is similar to mine, they'll earn £3.13 an hour. That's not sustainable, which means corners have to be cut somewhere along the line. Unless editing is just a hobby and someone else is paying the bills.

This isn't a hobby for me and I pay my share of family expenses, so if you're looking for a bargain, I'm not the right editor for you. Instead, try one of the marketplaces that specialize in freelance services at every price point.
Need more guidance on how to save money on editing?
If budget’s an issue, read about money-saving tips and tools in these two blog posts:

​> 10 ways to proofread your own writing
​> How much does fiction copyediting and proofreading cost?

6. You want absolute perfection

Picture
I’d love to tell you I’m perfect but, alas, I’m only human.

Most professional editors take pride in ensuring that they’re highly qualified. And even when we’ve completed our foundational training, we continue developing our skills throughout our careers. 

Some of us are members of industry recognized bodies with professional codes of practice. For example, I’m an Advanced Professional Member of the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading. 

That means I’m professionally bound to do my very best for you. What it doesn’t mean is that I can make your book 'perfect'. That's because there's no such thing. 

Stylistic editing is subjective, and when it comes to fiction, there’s always room to bend the standard so-called rules of grammar and punctuation because it’s in the prose’s best interest.

A pro fiction editor can work with you to make your narrative and dialogue pop. Will a pedantic Amazon reviewer who knows nothing about literary devices agree with the decision to omit a comma in favour of polysyndactic rhythm? Possibly not. 

That doesn’t mean your editor made a mistake. It means fiction editors seek to balance sense and sensibility.

If you're looking for an editor who's practically perfect in every way, ask Mary Poppins if she's available!
Still not sure about how ‘perfect’ a qualified editor should be?
Read Will it be perfect – honest advice about what’s realistic.

Most editors include their professional credentials on their website so you can review and verify their professional training, affiliations and teaching materials. Take a look at my Qualifications page as an example. ​

7. Your best friend read your book so it just needs a quick proofread

If you best friend (or your mum or granny) has read your novel and thinks it’s ready for a final once-over, they might well be right … if your best friend (or your mum or granny) is a pro editor.

Your book will also be ready for a proofreader if it’s been through previous multiple rounds of editing – structural, line- and copyediting.

And if you’re very lucky, or very experienced, or very brilliant, you might have nailed everything yourself and be on track for a final round of prepublication quality control.

What you still won’t be ready for is a quick proofread. There’s no such thing as a quick proofread. Proofreading is meticulous work that focuses on every word, every sentence, every paragraph. It incorporates layout and consistency checks too.

It’s the last stage of editing but not a fast stage of editing.

Most editors can proofread faster than they can line- or copyedit, but I don’t know any who can whizz through a whole book in a couple of hours and be confident that they’ve caught most of what needs catching to a professional standard.

And so if you’re looking for fast, I recommend you consider the following:
​
​> A manuscript evaluation: suggests structural improvements at story level
​> A sample edit: suggests stylistic improvements at sentence level

Both types of review will also give you a sense of how the editor works.
Want to know more about proofreading and sample edits?
To find out more about sample edits, and why they’re useful, read this blog post: What's a sample edit? Who does it help? And is it free?

To find out more about what proofreading entails, and get your hands on a free checklist for use with print books, check out the following:

​> Proofreading checklist: How to check page proofs like a professional
​> Self-publishing? Why the last thing you need is a proofreader
​> Page proofs and the proofreading process (listen below)

Wrapping up

There's a teacup for every saucer according to my podcasting pal Denise Cowle's auntie! She's right.

​Sometimes a writer and an editor are a great fit; sometimes we're not. That's not a problem because there are thousands of writers and thousands of editors. Make sure you're working with one who's a great match for you.
Louise Harnby is a line editor, copyeditor and proofreader who specializes in working with crime, mystery, suspense and thriller writers.

She is an Advanced Professional Member of the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (CIEP), a member of ACES, a Partner Member of The Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi), and co-hosts The Editing Podcast.

FIND OUT MORE
​> Get in touch: Louise Harnby | Fiction Editor & Proofreader
​> Connect: Twitter at @LouiseHarnby, Facebook and LinkedIn
​> Learn: Books and courses
​> ​Discover: Resources for authors and editors
6 Comments

​How do I find a proofreader, copyeditor or developmental editor?

22/5/2017

5 Comments

 
If you’re at the beginning stages of your writing career, you’ll still be navigating your way through the world of publishing. And you probably have a ton of questions. One of those will likely be: What kind of editor do I need to help me get my book ready? The natural follow-up to that is: How do I find that person?
How do I find a proofreader, copyeditor and developmental editor?
How do I find a good-fit editor?
I offered guidance on what kind of editor to hire and when in ‘​The different levels of editing. Proofreading and beyond’. Today, I’m focusing on how you should source that person.
​
​
So as not to muddy the waters, I’m assuming you’ve already decided what kind of help you want: developmental, copy/line editing or final prepublication proofreading. If you’re still not sure, I’ve included a PDF that summarizes the different levels of editing at the bottom of this article.

Now let’s look at how to find the right person. My recommendations fall into two categories:
​
  • the initial search
  • the refinement process
How to find the right editor
Search (1): Professional associations
Your national editorial society is a great place to start, for four reasons:
​
  1. Most have membership directories.
  2. Those membership directories are a great deal smaller and easier to navigate than the internet, which means you can concentrate your search.
  3. You can often search on key words. So if you’re a crime writer looking for a proofreader, you’ll be able to narrow your search to specialists with experience in both proofreading and crime fiction.
  4. Some professional associations require members to meet certain criteria in exchange for the right to be listed in their directories. This means you’re able to access editors and proofreaders who are fit for purpose. I don’t need to tell you why that’s good news for you!

Being able to target your search means higher-quality results for less of your valuable time. Woo hoo!

The UK’s professional editorial association is the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (CIEP) and there’s a global list here: Professional societies and associations.

A limitation of national professional editorial societies is that they’re national. There’s absolutely no reason why you should source editorial help from someone in your own backyard. Many editorial pros work with clients from all over the world.

Search (2): The internet
The internet is the biggest and most amazing directory on the planet so it’s a brilliant place to search. Your perfect-fit editorial pro is out there, just waiting for you to touch base.

There’s a problem, though: the internet is the biggest and most amazing directory on the planet so it’s a terrible place to search. Your perfect-fit editorial pro is buried, waiting for you to dig her out.

Go too broad with your keywords and you might miss her. Go too narrow and … yep, you might miss her. Of course, you might find her, too. As Google sometimes prompts us: are you feeling lucky?

And there’s something else to bear in mind – and I say this as someone with page-one Google rankings for the term ‘proofreader’, so it’s not a case of sour grapes – being high up in Google doesn’t mean the proofreader or editor is necessarily the best fit for you; it means they’re an effective marketer.

And, conversely, just because someone’s website is ranked highly for niche long-tail keyword searches doesn’t mean that another person who didn’t pepper their website with those particular terms isn’t worth considering, too.

That means you need to do a lot of Google legwork to find the best fit and to get a really good batch of potential people to work with.

I’m not saying don’t use the internet. Its global nature is an appealing feature, one that the national editorial societies can’t compete with. I’m saying recognize its limitations. It’s amazing but it’s crowded, so you’ll need to invest some time to make it work for you. And that’s why I’ve given professional associations the number-one slot in this list of search options.

Search (3): Your network
If you’ve developed a solid network of fellow writers, that could be a super resource from which to get recommendations. Bear in mind, however, that the best fit for your writer pal is not necessarily the best fit for you. It’s a small resource given the size of the decision.

You might be writing in a different genre, or you might need help with a different level of editing. Some professional editors specialize in one or two levels (e.g. proofreading and copyediting; or developmental editing and manuscript evaluation). Others offer all of the levels but still feel most comfortable in one or two.

So tap your network for advice, but back it up with other searches.

Search (4): Social media
Social media platforms can be useful. They’re global but they have their limitations:
​
  • Editors use social media platforms in different ways. For example, some are active primarily on Twitter, and have a LinkedIn profile but only use Facebook for personal use. Where you go will determine whom you find and whom you miss.
  • Most social media profiles are restrictive in terms of what can be included, so you might not get the best sense of fit from the information provided.
  • Some platforms are noisy, which makes effective targeted searching problematic.

Again, back up with other searches.

Here's a summary of the tools you might use to search for an editor or proofreader:
How to find an editor or proofreader
Now let’s take a look at how you might refine your initial searches.

You’ve found 37 developmental editors or copyeditors or proofreaders … whatever you need. All of them look great – they all have experience; can spell properly; are well educated and professional; and have a keen eye for detail and the appropriate training and qualifications.

How are you going to narrow that down to something manageable?

Refine (1): Genre experience
One way is to look at their portfolios, which tell you whether they’re used to working with books in your genre.
​
  • At the final prepublication proofreading stage (which takes place after all the previous rounds of self- and professional editing are complete), genre experience may not matter as much.
  • At copyediting, line editing or developmental editing stages, though, specialist genre experience could be a relevant factor. For example, line/copyediting crime fiction requires a different touch to line/copyediting historical romance. The styles of writing, the characters’ language, the length of sentences, even the punctuation used, are often very different.
  • At developmental editing stage, genre will affect how the likes of pace, plot and characterization are handled such that reader engagement is maximized.

A portfolio does not an editor make, and it shouldn’t be the sole determiner of whom you choose by any means. It will, though, give you a feel for who’s used to working with writing like yours.

Refine (2): Best versus best fit – samples
Best versus best fit is worth considering when it comes to choosing third-party editorial help. At proofreading stage, you need precision; it’s all about quality control. At the earlier stages of editing (e.g. copy/line) emotional engagement will come into play.

It’s therefore a good idea to ask for a sample (either free or paid for). A sample will allow you to see who ‘gets’ your writing. Sentence-level tweaking is subjective to a degree (when it comes to suggesting minor recasts, for example) and it may be that five editors all spot the same typos and grammar errors but handle the wordiness rather differently.

It’s not about right or wrong, but rather about responsiveness.

Refine (3): Endorsements
A third narrowing-down technique is to look at what other writers say about a proofreader or editor. Take a look at their testimonials. Have other writers been prepared to publicly endorse the editorial pro? Have mainstream publishers stuck their necks out and praised the work?

Testimonials aren’t a foolproof way of determining excellence; like portfolios, they give you a glimpse of what the editors have done, whom they’ve worked with and the impressions they’ve made. They’re just one way of evaluating what’s on offer.

So that’s it – a potted guide to finding a proofreader, copyeditor or developmental editor. I wish you luck with your search and with your writing journey!

Here’s the information on the different levels of editing I promised. Just click on the image to download.
The different levels of editing
Louise Harnby is a line editor, copyeditor and proofreader who specializes in working with independent authors of commercial fiction, particularly crime, thriller and mystery writers.

She is an Advanced Professional Member of the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (CIEP), a member of ACES, a Partner Member of The Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi), and co-hosts The Editing Podcast.

Visit her business website at Louise Harnby | Fiction Editor & Proofreader, say hello on Twitter at @LouiseHarnby, connect via Facebook and LinkedIn, and check out her books and courses.
5 Comments

​The different levels of editing. Proofreading and beyond

27/3/2017

13 Comments

 
Developmental editing, line editing, copyediting, proofreading ... what on earth is the difference and what's best for you when self-publishing?
The different levels of editing: proofreading and beyond
This post featured in Joel Friedlander's Carnival of the Indies #79
​

The different levels of editing
A potted guide to the different levels of editing ...
If you’re a beginner writer and you’re planning to self-publish, you’ll be thinking about getting your book fit for market. Some of you might not realize that there are different levels of editing. And even if you do, you might be fuzzy about what distinguishes each service or what it’s usually called.

No shame in that, believe me – even among professional publishers and independent editors the terminology differs. Consensus be damned! The irony that this lack of clarity and consistency exists in a profession that prides itself on, well, clarity and consistency isn’t lost on me or my colleagues!

​
In an effort to untangle the issue, I’m offering you a PDF that provides an overview.

The basics
Think of the editorial process like a play with several acts: writing, drafting, sourcing feedback from beta readers, self-editing, developmental editing or manuscript evaluation, line editing, copyediting, proofreading, publishing. The elements in bold are what we’re focusing on today.
​
In a nutshell
Basically, there are two levels of work going on – the macro and the micro.
  • MACRO – this is where developmental editing (also sometimes called content editing, substantive editing or structural editing) and manuscript evaluations (sometimes known as manuscript reviews or editorial critiques) are to be found. It’s big-picture work that looks at the novel as a whole.

    Editors who specialize in this level of service focus on how your book works – stuff like structure, plot, flow, point of view, characterization and pace.

  • MICRO – this is where line editing, copyediting and proofreading are to be found. It’s sentence-level work that looks at the text on a line-by-line and word-by-word basis.

    Editors who specialize in these levels of service ensure your readers don’t trip up. Standard grammar, spelling and punctuation are focal points, but at copyediting and line-editing levels, clarity and readability are in play, too. Basic proofreading is usually the final prepublication check to catch any snafus that have been missed during the previous rounds of extensive professional revision.

What terms should you use when sourcing editorial help?
There’s a question! My advice is that you explain what you want rather than worrying too much about what it’s called. This is because different editors define their services in different ways. So what should you do?

  • Take a look at the PDF below to get a broad sense of which type of editing might be most relevant for you.
  • Cross-reference that information with what you find on editors’ websites. If after that you’re still not sure what you need, prepare a couple of sample chapters that you can send with a request to quote. That way, your editors can advise you on what they think needs doing and whether they have the requisite skills.
  • Think, too, about the rounds of professional editing your book’s already been through (or not). If you haven’t yet commissioned prior assistance, you’re unlikely to be ready for a final prepublication proofread. I’m not saying this to be difficult – I’m just telling you what I’ve learned in 27 years of working in this industry!
  • Consider asking editors to carry out short sample edits. Some of us charge a nominal fee while others do it for free. Even if an editor asks you to pay a nominal fee, consider it an investment. Samples will give you valuable information – not so much about who’s the best but, rather, who’s the best fit. You might just love the way one editor clicks with your writing even though several others have also offered excellent work.

Key points to remember
  • Focus on what needs doing rather than what it’s called. You’ll save yourself a world of pain!
  • Choose someone who makes you feel excited about being edited.
  • Choose someone who’s comfortable with the genre you’re writing in. Take a look at editors' and proofreaders’ portfolios to see whether they have experience of working with books like yours.
  • Once you’ve chosen your editor, brief them as well as you can. If you want your crime writing sharp and lean, and you feel you might have overdone the purple prose, tell them so they know that tightening up will be well received. If your fantasy novel is packed with made-up words, prepare your editor so they don’t bore you with unwelcome queries!
  • Being edited makes some writers feel nervous or embarrassed. My telling you not to worry probably won’t help a jot, but remember this: we’re on your side – always! We’re your advocates and every change we make, or suggest, is done for you and serves your interests. We’re not there to criticize your writing but to elevate it.
  • Be realistic. If you only hire one round of professional editing, at whatever level, please don’t expect perfection. It’s simply not possible.

So, that’s it for now. I hope you’ve found this discussion of the different levels of editing useful. If there are particular questions that you want clarification on, drop me a line and I’ll do my best to answer them.

As promised, here’s your guide! Just click on the image to download it to your device.
The different levels of editing. A potted guide
Louise Harnby is a line editor, copyeditor and proofreader who specializes in working with crime, mystery, suspense and thriller writers.

She is an Advanced Professional Member of the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (CIEP), a member of ACES, a Partner Member of The Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi), and co-hosts The Editing Podcast.

Visit her business website at Louise Harnby | Fiction Editor & Proofreader, say hello on Twitter at @LouiseHarnby, connect via Facebook and LinkedIn, and check out her books and courses.
13 Comments

    BLOG ALERTS

    If you'd like me to email you when a new blog post is available, sign up for blog alerts!
    Proofreading stamps
    ALERT ME!

    WHAT DO YOU NEED?

    • Training courses
    • ​Books and guides
    • Editor resources
    • Author resources
    • ​Monthly newsletter
    Picture
    SIGN ME UP

    PDF MARKUP

    Proofreading stamps

    AUTHOR RESOURCES

    Proofreading stamps

    EDITOR RESOURCES

    Proofreading stamps

    BOOKS FOR EDITORS AND WRITERS

    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    MORE BOOKS

    TRAINING COURSES FOR EDITORS

    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Blogging for Business Growth course
    MORE COURSES

    TESTIMONIALS


    Dare Rogers

    'Louise uses her expertise to hone a story until it's razor sharp, while still allowing the author’s voice to remain dominant.'

    Jeff Carson

    'I wholeheartedly recommend her services ... Just don’t hire her when I need her.'

    J B Turner

    'Sincere thanks for a beautiful and elegant piece of work. First class.'

    Ayshe Gemedzhy