Writing A Novel For Publication - The Levels Of Professional Editing And The Role Of Each
Topics: Writing a Novel, Publishing, Editing, Professional Editing, Writing, Finding an Editor, Editing Fees
Since this article about the importance of professional editing is written by someone who edits text for a living, it would be quite easy to assume this information is self-serving. And while this would be justifiable, this writer can assure any skeptic that this is an honest treatment of what is necessary to have work considered by a bona fide royalty publisher.
Using an Editor Does Not Mean a Writer is Inept, but Just the Opposite
One of the greatest difficulty some people have is the stigma that the use of an editor implies incompetence on the part of the writer. Frankly, it’s just the opposite.
Check the Acknowledgements page in novels by some of the most respected novelists of our generation and see how many times the respective author’s editor is praised (and I’m not referring to the executive editor of the publisher company).
And if you check the web sites of some of the top editors in the industry, you might be surprised to find names like Nelson DeMille, John Updike (who passed away recently), and Stephen King listed as clients.
Everybody Uses an Editor, and if They Don’t They Should
My apology for the trick sub header, but I wanted to get your attention. I’ve only heard one noted writer (who happens to be a female, so I’m identifying the gender solely for accuracy) publicly state that no one edits her work. This individual is a Ph.D who teaches at an Ivy League school and has written dozens of novels published by top houses.
Yet if people like Theodore Bernstein used an editor, is it realistic to think our pompous writer friend doesn’t also at times just maybe have someone catch a glimpse of her work before she sends it off? I’ve read some of her novels, and she’s brilliant, and all the more reason I think she was feeling her Wheaties the day I witnessed her remark, and not telling the whole truth.
The Different Types of Editors
Before lambasting the independent editorial process as being unnecessary, it might be a good idea to understand some of the types of editors and what each one does–and what the fees for each service might be.
- The Reading Editor - Good ones are available across the country for a $1.00 per page (everyone I know requires double-spaced material comprising 250-300 words per page). You can expect to receive a two to three page, single-spaced critique of your work.
- The Line Editor (sometimes called a Copy Editor) - This person will correct grammar, punctuation, and syntax. Fees are generally between $4.00-$6.00 per page.
- The Developmental Editor - This editor will work with you from the beginning of your novel, and most provide line-editing as part of their service. Editing at this level can cost as much as $15.00 per page, and it’s usually a cradle to the grave proposition for a particular work.
Understand that some editors charge by the hour, and the aforementioned costs will be irrelevant, but I think most writers will find these fees to be representative of the different levels of service. And even many editors who charge an hourly rate seem to align rather closely with these fees. However, like anything, there are editors who charge more or less than the averages I have indicated (and for which I am personally familiar).
Also, copy editors in a traditional sense are known as the people who line up text for printing, and while this name is commonly used by line editors, the distinction is worth noting. Finally, an executive editor, such as an editor-in-chief, is not generally doing any of the editing I described, but running the operational aspects of the publishing entity.
Investing in a Good Editor is the Best Money a Writer can Spend
Writers spend a lot of money on books and other material on how to write and how to become published. And they often devote untold hours to reading and/or critique groups. These books, tools, and activities are invaluable, but there is a point a writer reaches when his or her work requires a professional to take a look at it.
Just like talking about one’s health, there are many instances when discussing it with friends and associates is great, but it’s certainly not the same as going to the doctor. Seeking the help or advice of a professional editor is no different. It is eventually necessary–for everybody–and the sooner a serious author works with a quality editor, the quicker a manuscript can be headed toward publication.
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