Editing on a Shoestring: 12 Tips

By Barbara Munson

You do have some options, however, to help minimize the crunch--without sacrificing quality. One of them is to save on up-front costs by learning how to be a savvy manager of the editing process. Here are some ideas from a book editor's point of view:

1. Find an editor who understands the genre of your book and who has credentials or experience with other books in your field. Hiring a fiction book editor to edit a self-help or history book, or vice versa, could result in more time spent editing-and larger fees. Get samples of other jobs he or she has edited, or get the names of past clients to call. Then call!

2. Discuss all fees with your editor up front. Remember the editor is in business, even though you would like to consider him or her to be your best friend, trusted confidante, shoulder to cry on, etc. Nail down the fees for the job before the editor begins working on your book.

3. Explain precisely what you want from your editor. For example, saying, "Take a look and tell me what you think," wastes the editor's time and your money. Instead, say, "My goal for the book is ______________. I'd like you to tell me if I have accomplished this goal." Or, "I am wondering if chapter one should be moved to the end of the book. What do you think?"

4. Do you need help with marketing and promoting your book or researching the competition? Select an editor based on those needs, as well. You may find that your editor is just as knowledgeable about the book industry and marketing as an outside consultant, and may charge lower fees.

5. Before you turn over your manuscript to your editor, do as much work on it as possible yourself. Use your computer's spell check and grammar check. Have a friend review the manuscript and point out anything that looks wrong. Try reading it out loud--this will help you spot poorly constructed sentences and confusing areas. If possible, give your editor the complete manuscript instead of a chapter here, a chapter there. This will eliminate the extra time the editor will need to spend rereading to ensure overall consistency.

6. Discuss style manuals and special styles you don't want changed, for example, the use of lower case in a certain area. Remember e e cummings?

7. Discuss deadlines and stick to them.

8. Not all editors give written contracts, but if you want one, they will be happy to oblige. The contract should include timeframe, fees, and responsibilities of the author versus the editor (including who is responsible for checking that final proof from the printer).

9. View your editor as a team member. Keep him or her in the loop, just as you would if you were in a work environment.

10. Unless you are dead set against a change, do everything the editor suggests. The editor is a professional--the best person for the job. If you are not sure why your editor red-marked an area of your copy, ask.

11. Determine whether your editor prefers online or hard-copy editing. If you send your manuscript electronically and the editor has to print it out to work on it, that costs time and money. Who will make the corrections to the actual file? You could save money by making them yourself, but don't miss any changes or notations the editor has indicated!

12. Avoid making substantial changes after you have sent the manuscript to the typesetter. If you have planned and organized your book well, and you and your editor are satisfied with it, avoid the temptation to "just add a few more paragraphs."

Reprinted from BookZone Pro, http://www.bookzonepro.com

On-Line Writers resources

Author's Network-for writers about writing based in Europe, but interesting- http://www.author-network.com/
Copyright Forms- http://www.loc.gov/copyright/forms/
Dallas Sceen Writers- http://www.dallasscreenwriters.com/
Denton Public Library - http://www.cityofdenton.com/pages/library.cfm
National Association of Women Writers - http://www.naww.org
National Writers Union - http://www.nwu.org/
New Writer's Market http://hge.members.atlantic.net/
Para Publishing Website - a good writing, publishing, and promotion source - http://parapub.com/getpage.cfm?file=/homepage.html&user=#user
Preditors and Editors-a resources to check out agents and publishers http://www.anotherealm.com/prededitors/
Ralan's Webstravaganza-speculative fiction resource http://ralan.com/
Society of Children's Writers and Illustrators - http://www.scbwi.org/
Texas Coalition of Authors, Inc. - http://www.texasauthors.org/
Texas Writers League - http://www.writersleague.org/
The Market List-the online resource for genre fiction writers http://www.marketlist.com/
The Novelist's Workshop-essays and advice on how to publish your book- http://www.monash.com/writers.html
Writer's Exchange - http://www.writers-exchange.com/epublishing/
Writer's Market - http://www.writersmarket.com/index_ns.asp
Writers Net-source for information for writers, editors, agents, and publishers - http://www.writers.net
Writing-World.Com - http://www.writing-world.com 
The Zuzu's Petals Literary Resource Homepage-for both writers and poets- http://www.zuzu.com/

There are multitudes of writing resources available on the Internet. Go to any search engine and ask for writer's resources, writer's markets, writer's contests, writer's conferences, etc