SMALL RANT: Do You Need To Hire An Editor Before Querying? (NO!)
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 20 พ.ค. 2018
- Should you hire a freelance editor before you query? NO!!! I get this question a lot and it drives me crazy. I don't recommend it at all if you're aiming for traditional publication--I think it's a waste of money.
I'm ranting a bit about this and explaining why you don't need to pay an editor before you query (or after).
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I do need to clarify something that got a bit muddled as I was talking. I have two trains of thought going in the video that speak to two very different kinds of editors & why I don't think you should hire either type before querying. But I must acknowledge the value of developmental editors, generally BUT:
1) Developmental editors, who read your work & give you an overview of what's working vs. what's not. The reason I don't recommend this is because critique partners do THE EXACT SAME THING FOR FREE.
2) Line/copy editors, who go through your manuscript on a line-by-line/sentence level and fix problems with your spelling, grammar, usage, and sentence level prose. I don't recommend this because of what I speak to in the video, re: you need to learn how to do this yourself, because your agent and publisher will expect you to achieve a minimum standard of well-expressed English/prose writing. Hiring someone to cover up your deficiencies in this area will only hurt you in the long run (and won't fix story-level issues).
Of the two types, I can most see someone maybe hiring a developmental editor (and they cost less, typically, than line/copy editors), but ONLY if you simply cannot find any critique partners. And yet I still don't recommend it haha.
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I literally thought hiring an editor before querying was what you were supposed to do before I found your channel. I opened a savings account for editorial funds and have been dumping money in there since December....guess you just gave me the green light to go to Ikea instead!!! :D HOLLA HOLLA!
TREAT YO-SELF! :D
Good thing you didn't hire the editor then find the video
Same, I was so relieved :D
I did Beta Readers and self editing. Cost me time, but not money. My publisher paid for the editor.
I learned SO MUCH from my developmental editor. She did not make any direct changes, only suggestions throughout the whole manuscript (which was 112K words, which is why no one ever wanted to be my critique partner). I am a penny pincher to the max, but the value of having a professional in the industry look directly at your writing and tell you specifically what is not working is worth GOLD when you are new at this. Now I can see what was exposing me as an amateur, and I will no longer make the same mistakes in future novels.
This is what I am finding
I am trying traditional publishing. After a couple of rejections I hired an editor. We struck a deal for her to edit and critique the first 1500 words of my MS. She also answered specific questions for months. She identified some huge problems which I have fixed in the whole MS. Well worth the money but I have a good full time job and could afford it. Possibly could have gotten the same help from a CP, but I didn't know that. Live and learn and learn and learn. . . .
Many TH-camrs (who shall remain nameless) encourage their subscribers to hire an editor even when they are aiming for traditional publishing.
Sigh, I know. I really don't mean any shade to those who feel it's a good choice! I can see if one has the money and can't find CPs that a developmental editor might be a good investment. (however, my first port of call there is ALWAYS "well how are you looking for CPs?") I just wanted to make it very clear that most agents don't recommend it, let alone require it! I worry there are people who are holding themselves back from pursuing publishing because they can't afford an editor and think they have to hire one :(
Many youtubers have freelance editorial business. I mean full shade here. Once you dig up on them you can see what's what.
I WAS SO EXCITED TO SEE THIS VIDEO BLESS YOU 😭💗💗
Love this rant 😂 great tips! Thanks for recommending querying first and laying it all out there 👍👍
You tell them girl! My CPs are the best editors ever and are all I've ever needed! Also, I'd love a series of videos on just sentence structure, writing craft stuff. I'd love to see what your thoughts are on this (especially as I dive into line-edits).
Haha omg you've hit my weakness--I'm a terrible teacher when it comes to that kind of stuff. I can try, but not sure I'll be very good at it!
Alexa Donne I’m sure you’ll rock it. I’m interested in watching that too.
Hi Jessica! :D Any chance we could share some of your CPs? xD I know it's a bit cold like this, but perhaps we could get in touch by private message on Instagram or something and talk about it? I would really appreciate it.. I'm just not surrounded by like-minded people and it's hard to find them online (for me). Please let me know :)
I had been hearing about this and wondering if I should do it, as well. Thank you for addressing the question!
Wow. This video turned my view around on this whole process. I was convinced that I would need to hire an editor before querying, but ultimately, I do need to know how to edit my work and since I'm going into the traditional publishing route, I just need to trust the process.
This is so good to know, thanks Alexa!! You kept mentioning learning how to edit your own work well. Do you have any practical tips to learn how to do that? Would you say it’s just by having CPs and editing/revising from their thoughts or by critiquing other’s work? Would you suggest anything else? Thanks again!!
I love these videos! I always thought I would get critique partners to help me with my work. Spending that money doesn't seem like a great idea if your going the traditional route. Love your channel :)
Thanks for the advice! I'm glad for this video since it has saved me from spending more money than I should. I'm nearly done with the first draft of my manuscript, which I intend to publish through traditional means. It's sitting at around 90k words and I was shopping around for an editor. It turns out that I might not need to hire one. Instead, what I _really_ need is a critique partner-- I have yet to find one of those. Thanks again for your videos!
Thank you for this! As a perfectionist, I sometimes feel like I should explore every possible avenue to improve my work. But you're right, I have great critique partners, and I trust in my ability to improve my own work.
This was incredibly helpful, I always thought that having it professionally edited before querying was a must but now I think I'll focus on the best way to go about editing myself. Thanks!
I feel like it may be a good idea to have a professional editor for your first or second book because looking at an editor to tear apart my first novel helped me learn a lot
Yessssssssssss!
Love a good rant. Your videos are always so insightful. :) I can see why some people might prefer to go to editors especially developmental ones. Finding a CP that you click with can be so hard. But I definitely agree that your potential agent might feel misled if their first impression of your work is something professionally edited then later they get something drastically different.
It can definitely be hard to find good CPs! I get why someone might hire a developmental editor, for sure... but I don't like the idea that people think they HAVE to, that it's standard practice.
Thank you for this video! I don't want to cast any shade, but I've seen some of this advice (and yes some of them are agents selling "ready for querying" edits) and I've always been dubious about it, but worried it was something that might be expected of writers starting out.
Thanks....That clears things up. It's the revisions that get people so bogged down in their manuscript that it's easy to lose scope--and that's when the madness comes...Perhaps we confuse editors for therapists...
Bless you for this I had someone trying to convince me I needed to do this before I query. (They have not read my manuscript btw) but they are a self published author so I can understand their point. I am aiming for the traditional publishing route and this helped clear some things up for me.
Yeah, I think this bad advice is endemic in certain aspiring writer circles--I worry they're getting it from people who freelance edit and have convinced them This Is A Rite Of Passage In Publishing... I just hate to see people waste their money!
Wow. I'm on the verge of this very thing. Just about to work out how I was going to scrape this money together in these hard times. Thank you so much for this advice. I've been watching many videos like this - wondering what I should do - and your video has seriously cleared it up for me. Perhaps my work is good enough as it is and I'll never know until I start sending query letters off and 10 page samples.
OMG you have just saved my bank account!!! My plan was to pay an editor once just so I can get established with an agent ... I did not think about later and that they would expect that level of quality! Thank you so much for this video! 💜💜💜
Thanks for making this video. I'm so thankful that I found a good group of critique partners!
How did you know I was just wondering about this today?!
Woah, so weird. I've been watching your videos for a while and I only just now subscribed!
Thanks for the videos, Alexa.
I'm the process of having an editor do a line edit of my book before I query. I did a ton of editing myself, but I know I and my helpers miss so much random spelling stuff and I really want to impress with my first book out. Maybe this will bite me in the butt, but I am hoping fewer distracting little errors will make the reading process easier for interested agents.
Thank you for making this video. Definitely just saved me some time, money, and/or worry
Awesome advice. I was thinking exactly of getting one even as I am doing my own editing... Thank you!
Alexa, thanks for these tips. I am self-publishing so I DO need an editor but from this course I learned why I need an editor, and a good critique partner, or even better several critique partners. Thanks for this free course.
Thank you for posting! I've had similar thoughts about freelance editors recently and this is validating. A good CP will get your story and do just as much for you as any freelance editor would.
Love your channel. Thank you for this video. You just made my day. :)
Hello. I am a recent subscriber. Not only am I a writer, I am a freelance editor. I understand where you are coming from. Yes, I do agree that if you are getting traditionally published, it's not a good idea, for exactly the reasons you stated. But for those who decide to go the self-published route (And there are so many these days, wow!), I also think it's a good idea. I have seen so many books that are self-published that were riddled with errors. There have been so many times I have put a physical book back and not bought it, due to this issue, even if otherwise I thought I liked it (and could afford it). Luckily, freelance editors not only have authors as clients, they have publishing houses, business owners, and other types of clients to work with. I hope I never become the type of freelance editor who would railroad an author into buying my services if they don't need them. It's just not my style.
Yes, exactly! I stress in any video where self-pub or editing comes up that hiring an editor is NOT TO BE SKIPPED for self-pub... you can always tell when they did, too. It's super super essential. And we need more editors like you--most freelancers are good people (I'm friends with some, too!), but I've just seen some crop up more recently who I think are misleading people :( And YES I totally should have mentioned in the video what you point out--talented and skilled freelance editors with great qualifications are very often contracted directly with publishers.
So happy I came across this. I am finishing my book and I use Google Docs so i edit line by line myself with Google docs. I did hear some people pay editors because there are some literary agents who email them a NO on their manuscript and tells them to get an editor before querying agents. I did read a lot of blogs where people said they received alot of no and the agents said they only look at edited writings. Of course not every agent does, but I know i did read alot of blogs who claimed that a lot of agents wants writing that are edited so that way they don't have too do much work. That can be why as well. But thankfully I didn't get an editor. I will be using friends and family people I trust to be my CP.
This is good advice. I am one of those people that have been told over and over that I must get an editor before I query and seek publication.
Just had someone tell me I needed an editor before querying last week. I chose not to follow that advice and I'm reassured in my decision by this video. Thanks!
Excellent rant! Read writing craft articles. I found the writing lessons A. P. Author has published on Amazon helpful to learn how to edit and improve my writing. Point of View got me hooked. These are lessons, not books. Go to your library for writing books.
I feel like hiring editors before querying is very "in", at least among new authors. Lots of people recommended it to me, and I have hired an editor my current WIP. It was helpful, but not necessary. Alot of her ideas, I was going to incorporate in my second draft. It felt more like a glorified beta reader. And my beta readers have been awesome, free, and super helpful.
Beta readers don't know the industry or rules of storytelling, etc. Are you sure the editor you chose was a successful professional? When I searched for an editor, I made sure they were a published author already, entrenched in the industry. She transformed my writing! I learned so much from one edit, I won't need any more.
When you traditionally publish ...can the publisher change aspects or details of the story that you consider important to the plot? Im cautious about traditionally publishing because I dont want anyone to change my story just to make it more marketable
Do you know if I have to hire an editor if I will self publish? Specifically that it has no contradictory statements and I checked for errors... what does the editor do exactly? Change the font or....?
Very useful information. Also, saw a happy floofy tail in the left corner.
Thank you Alexa! It’s always been part of my intentions to get my manuscript “professionally” edited before querying, as part of looking a bit more profesional/ have a better chance of landing an agent. The thing is, I’m writing in English, which is my second language, and as I feel myself confident and capable enough to self edit, both for the sake of the story itself and grammar (I’m an English teacher in my country) I’m afraid there would be minimal grammatical things that could be escaped - do you think it would matter at the moment of querying or should I get my first few chapters professionally edited?
I think that's a case where it would be up to you... I definitely see where a freelance editor might be helpful in that case. But I also think it might be worth getting CPs that you trust and asking them what they think? Agents don't expect perfection, so if what you have is pretty clean, you may not need to go so far as hiring someone?
Thanks! I think I'm still hesitant about hiring an editor, when the times gets nearer I would think about it a little bit more, although everything just seems like I don't really need it as long as I can get support on other people c:
I really appreciate this take. I was concerned that I should get an edit to be competitive in an over saturated market. Now my position is evolving.
Your eye shadow and advice are on point as usual
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS!!!
Excellent video! I had a good friend and fellow author read my most recent work and I'm going to return the favor as soon as she is ready. It is always good to have a second pair of eyes if you don't feel comfortable but there are places and people that provide the service for free.
How do we know if our work is good enough to even submit for query?
this assumes you can get a critique partner. I tried a lot of your links and find them expired. I signed up for credit, and while people are willing to have me read their stuff and go through a very short blob of my work (which they like btw) getting a critique partner seems unavailable at this time. Any help would be appreciated.
Awesome clarification (so sad how certain supposedly needless steps become commonplace assumptions) and my goodness, your make up is just fantastic!
Alexa, okay if I don't need a professional editor, do I query, write a synopsis, then find a Lit Agent? And do I submit my 10x self-edited book to my Lit Agent for editing? What is the process? Do you have a 1.2.3. list of what happens once your book is completed?
Thank you! I am thrilled to be a fan and am profiting as a writer because of it. Only two copies of Brightly Burning? Folks like me would keep about fifty in the background (subliminal advertising). Did you know Stalwart Ship is a Spanish wine? And a good one at that.
I've only just started this video, and looking forward to hearing what you say, but it did work for Lee Child 🤔
I hired an editor for a manuscript assessment/developmental edit only because I literally could not find anyone to take my book seriously and commit to reading it. It was tremendously helpful! But, I'm hoping with my next book I won't have to do that again.
Freelance editors can be awesome - I know several who are highly qualified and passionate in their genres, and I'd recommend them to any author who wanted to self publish. On the other hand, having been around the social media traps for a while now, I'm finding that pretty much anyone who feels the urge can call themselves an editor and write up a price schedule comparable to their professionally qualified counterparts. I've left a lot of groups for this reason. I have an associate editor credit (under the guidance of a qualified professional) but no qualifications, and it's actually pretty hard to do (copy editing that anthology drove me spare). Make sure your potential editor is qualified, and ask for samples if you're taking the self-publishing route. Getting to know them helps a lot, too. Also, don't make the mistake of underestimating the importance of a good beta reader or two.
This is 10000% correct. Publishers and Agents want to see the "raw" you. It's also helpful for them to see your work ethic and how you get things done (your method).
I saw a traditionally published author who is a freelance editor. In your opinion, what do you think about it?
This makes a lot of sense, you should not hire an editor if you are going to trad publish. Have a blessed day!
I saw someone say if you hire and editor whose is the publishing house paying for, yours or theirs.
I thought improved distribution and advertising was the main upside of getting traditionally published. Is that not a big issue?
Yaaaasss!! Preach!
thank you for knocking some sense into me, even though I'm very late.
One of my friends who is published with a major publisher recommended that I get a professional edit before querying. It’s costing me about $2000 for a developmental and line edit. Alexa’s got me second guessing myself now ☹️
You will learn a lot from what the editor reveals to you about your writing (if they are good)- and $2000 is a good deal.
I'm so relieved this isn't true. I didn't think it was necessary until a few months back when I started really getting into Booktube, which made me doubt myself. But thanks! This saves me a lot of faff and about £2000 :D
So helpful, thank you ❤
Dear Alexa, I really enjoy your vlogs, but I have to disagree with this one. I was under the impression that critique partners look at content and not the grammar aspects. I mean I know there are some that do , do that too, but most don't. I find that the edit programs often fall short of what an editor does. I am not an editor and I am totally a grammar Neanderthal. I personally feel that editing as a pre cursor to submission is an evil, butt necessary expense. Thank you for all you doing for the writing community I really appreciate ALL your helpful advise. Keep on vlogging.
I hear you. No editor. But... What about sensitivity readers? Should I hire one before querying if I think I need to work with one?
If you want a book published is it ok to just write one or two and that be it or do you have to keep writing. I find it's just a hobby or something I do when I come up with an idea. I dont want this as a career but I'm poor so dont know if I'll be able to self publish. 😂
I live in Sweden but most (if not all) of my books will be in English, so I've had thoughts about paying an American editor from the US to edit my manuscript instead of having a Swedish editor. I am a very picky person too, I'm even planning to ask my future publishers to let me pick the book cover artist and such. I'm autistic so I can get extremely anxious when I have little to no control over almost anything.
I don't want to self-publish either because the mere thought of having to do everything by myself makes me want to hyperventilate. But the thought of also no longer having control over something I spent years on making makes me want to cry.
☼ You really want to re-read your won work? surely towards the end you can't easily do it alone - especially early on? maybe by book 5 or if churning out articles of a type multiple times weekly. I guess unless youre saying that they industry is more forgiving, and youre writing by that stage is already of a quality that editors arent going to add that much. You do here stories of people binning things the first error they come to (screenplays - but probs true everywhere, if at all). But there are stories about a lot of things.
This feels like a silly question but what about putting money into programs like Grammerly, or ProWriter? I can't say my writing is fantastic (though my fanfiction life has helped lol), these have been great tools becuase of my current lack of knowledge on some more obscure details. Love your channel btw..really amazing stuff can't stop listening!
I think the takeaway is if you’re a debut author/new writer you should definitely hire an editor. If you’re not a new writer then just keep learning how to edit
No, it does not mean debut/new writers pursuing trad should hire editors! They should not. This video is, in fact, targeted at debut/new authors, not pros! I know hundreds of trad authors... maybe THREE have hired external editors in the course of their careers, and they were weird and rare cases and far outside the norm.
I have a random question do you have any advice on first time authors attending a writers conference? Just figured I'd ask. Love your channel💓💛
I should compile some ideas and make a video on it! There's a lot to say. I'll throw one tip out there: be brave and make friends! You can make some great new friends by talking to people in line, or to the person who sits next to you :)
what reddits do u recommend i subscribe to as a writer?
I am an aspiring writer and have written multiple books. The best of which Gods Vs Men Book 1 The Resurrection I am querying Literary Agents and Book Publishers. Alexa does make a good point that editors work with traditional publishers as opposed to freelancers . Saves you being $1000's out of pocket as well as a freelances will always find fault with your book so they can make more money.
I’m a weak writer with a strong story. Having an editor going through it first would give me a better chance of getting an agent. Yes, it’s a crutch, but it only becomes a cycle if I don’t grow. Hopefully I will grow in second or third book, and even if I have to pay every time, I would be happy if it makes my book much stronger.
I tried to bring this up in a writing community and had daggers get thrown at me. I agree with you 100 percent. *sigh* can’t catch em all I guess.
does traditonal publisher copy right the book for you also?
Excellent advice, every single bit of it!
What happens when your manuscript is “too long” and I’m told by friends/redditors that it will never get picked up unless it’s pared down. I have self edited through my MS several times now and can’t imagine chopping a third of my book out. Would you suggest hiring someone then?
I have a video on overwriting that I recommend! I offer some specific tips for editing long manuscripts. Also how long are we talking? Is it YA or adult?
@@AlexaDonne just under 147k words. It’s YA! I will check out your video! Been watching your channel all day.
Thank you! This was very helpful because I was so confused about this, and I'm a poor grad student who can't afford an editor, haha.
The thing I worry about regarding critique partners is that it means I need to be able to critique their work too. And I just don't think I would be very good at this. I've done beta-reading before and usually haven't been able to come up with much more than line edits. I wouldn't want to let down anyone I was being a critique partner with. Any advice?
My greatest tip is to jot down the questions you have while reading. Letting a writer know what questions came up for you can be incredibly illuminating. It can also be very useful to tell them any points where you were bored/skimming. If you do these things, you'll start to get more of a knack for being a critical reader!
This is really helpful, thank you :)
You can also find betas who are avid readers but not themselves writers. That's another way to get around it. Just make sure they have good feedback and that you do something nice in return. Even an e-card is nice.
I was also told that you should find an editor before querying or submitting the first-three chapters of the book. O_O I mean, I really was thinking of looking for editors now (having finished my 2nd draft already), and they would pay like... 1000GBP+. I queried this website that says "no.1 in editing" and for a 90,000word manuscript, the price is like, 1,800GBP that they can edit and return back to you in two weeks. (I fired an unedited-by-me 1st draft to their "sample editing" of some few-hundred words, it was like a robot edited it. I honestly was better at editing with my 2nd draft, than what they produced, no kidding. It really sounded like a software did it).
So...thanks for this video I think? I'm still thinking about this info, because there's also this writing community I once joined, who said that even though self-publishing is gonna set you back at maybe $3,000 give or take, the minimal cost of traditional publishing is just "paying for an editor". Thanks again on this one, Alexa. :)
I actually had a well known agent who I queried told me I needed to hire a freelance editor to do a content edit. So when I saw this I needed to listen to it. Thank you for posting it.
OMG I'm upset at the agent!!! Who was it?!
@@AlexaDonne Is there a way I can DM you?
Are you on Twitter? My DMs are open...
@@AlexaDonne I followed you but it won't let me DM you. My handle is the same here but with a 007 at the end.
Here's a question, does a manuscript you turn into a traditional publisher need to be copyrighted? To prevent possible plagiarism.
Just a question, thank you for your posting. Very helpful!
A traditional publisher will register your copyright for you.
@@AlexaDonne Good to know, thank you for your response!
Did you do the beta reading thing with grad publishing?
Critique partners are just like beta readers, so indeed I did and do use them! They're invaluable, IMO.
I think people still get confused with traditional publishing and self publishing tips. I never heard hiring an editor when it comes to traditional publishing, but I have when it comes to publishing a book yourself.
I got a editor before hand, and i don't regret it. luckily they were a friend and didn't charge me much $500. But i don't think i could have done it without them. Now I can. Before I couldn't.
You said who gives that advice to professionally edit your book. Jenna Moreci does. Which is weird because shes a self published author.
Hiring an editor is standard in self-publishing! So I would definitely expect a self-published author to give that advice--it's the correct advice for self-pub. It's just not a required step in traditional publishing.
Awesome video!
My only concern (well, not the only one but it is moving to the front of all) is how large my manuscript has grown. That fact alone may cut my legs out from under me when I start to query this summer. It is 300,000 words and still going. I'm on page 973. My guess is they will force me to make it two books. I just hope they don't toss my letter into the slush pile as soon as they see how long it is. I mean, it is adult epic fantasy. Will that be enough for them to give me a chance? Dunno. I hope the story is awesome enough to take care of that for most. I think it is.
Again, cool video. Thanks for all you do. These vlogs and advice videos are helpful peeks into the parts of the writing world we don't get to see sitting in our rooms like hermits as we write.
Take care.
Jeff
Hi Jeff, I just really had to reply to this before you bothered querying. I follow some literary agents on Twitter and from what I've seen, they will most certainly reject you on word count alone, no matter how good your book is. It's up to you if you still want to try. I suggest starting slow and not query a bunch at once to see how they react, but I just wanted to give you a heads up. Good luck!
Hi,
Avid reader and freelance editor here. First of all I applaud you for writing such an epic book. That being said, I am 99.9% certain that a lot of agents are going to reject you when you have a book that is nearly 1000 pages long. Even in epic fantasy, That is very very long these days, especially depending on the audience they are writing for. I know you might be hesitant just put your book in two or even three parts but think about it this way. If you split your book now, you have three books instead of one, which will give you much more to work with in terms of creating traction and a fan base. That said, it is your work and I wish you the best of luck.
Jacque
Sounds like great advice. I have six agents in mind already. I need to finish the novel first before letters go out. Thank you for your suggestions.
Some of my beta readers have talked about making my one novel into two. They want to finish reading it all first and then decide. And you suggest perhaps even three. Okay. In my head this is only book one. It is written in sections, though. Big sections. Hmmm? Lots to think about. Thanks for the advice.
My eyes grew big when I saw that marker as well. And the story isn't finished. Yikes. Two hundred more pages and I should be golden.
Thanks for answering my question?
I don’t know about this 🤔 I think people should spend their money the way they want to. Some people think it’s ok to spend 2000 euros on a Channel bag, or plastic surgery or Peruvian wigs.
I might be wrong but think it’s ok to spend 2000 euros in coaching or manuscript enhancement. I don’t feel that someone who’s blessed with more experience or natural talent should tell someone who is writing their first book, or is less talented or less educated in the writing world, that they shouldn’t pay to get the best version of their story out.
Besides writing I am a tutor. I wouldn’t be able to make a living while writing my book, if the parents of my students thought about their kid: “his level of ability without any help (besides the help he gets from school) is to get a 4 for his exams, so that is what he deserves and that should be his future.”
Just like parents pay me for enhanced school results for their kids, I feel I shouldn’t be discouraged to hire someone to help me out. I don’t have to but I have the right to put some makeup on my manuscript and let her look pretty.
Anyone can spend their money however they want--I can't stop them. I am telling aspiring writers that they are NOT required to spend their money on professional editors in order to be published, which for some reason many people are telling them. I am stopping writers from being taken in by this rampant misconception--I don't like people being scammed, especially as someone who comes from a lower income background. Publishing should not be limited to the rich. Anyway, most traditionally published authors don't do this, which should tell you something (that paying for an editor is unlikely to result in an agent or pub deal).
And you're missing the point in the video about critique partners. Who are FREE. Anyone can improve their writing and manuscript organically without having to pay anyone. Get CPs. Most trad pubbed authors have free CPs who are fellow authors. The point of the video isn't "some people are naturally more talented; give up!" It's that there are FREE resources for improving your craft and that you should put in the work to do so, that paying for a professional editor is not required. The community norm in publishing is NOT to pay, but people are being told the opposite. That is creating a barrier to entry for the less wealthy and I don't like it.
Anyway, you're welcome to pay for someone. Just know that almost everyone of my friends who has (I know people who have! I'm not basing this on nothing.) have regretted it and cited it was a waste of money. They later found CPs and mentors who gave better feedback and helped them more, for free. I like to warn people so they are prepared.
Alexa Donne I understand the free Critique Partner bit, but when you start writing, you don’t have the connections yet.
I have just started writing my first novel and couldn’t find any serious CPs.
I am not part of an in-crowd. Nor do I have a list of writer friends. When I ask my family and friends to critique my work, they say I write beautiful and fabulous and suspenseful because they love me. They aren’t trained to see stuff, they just want to show love.
But I am not a fool. I have a masters degree in language and literature. I can see that my writing is not good enough and still not know how to improve it.
So I have a choice:
I can keep looking for free help or...
I can pay a writing coach (who has successfully published several books) 500 euros quarterly and have someone: 1) to brainstorm plot ideas with, 2) who will read my work, edit, correct grammar mistakes, 3) call in at least once a month to make sure I am on track with my word count, give me a slap on the wrist when I getting lazy or coming up with excuses.
Someone who has my back during the whole process, like a midwife assisting me with the birth of my book.
I know I don’t have to, but I chose to have paid help and it is the best money I’ve ever spent. For my second book I probably won’t need that type of babysitting but right now, I am very glad and grateful with the help and can’t imagine regretting it in the future.
You don't have to be part of an in-crowd or know people or be friends with writers to find quality CPs! You're imagining gatekeeping/a velvet rope situation that doesn't exist. I made an entire video on how to find CPs, which was linked in the description box: th-cam.com/video/yYY2vDKdwkU/w-d-xo.html
But, look, if you have money to spend on a writing coach, you are far wealthier than I am, and that is great. But I make all the videos on my channel, for free, because I don't want anyone to think that publishing is a pay to play industry. Money should not dictate whether or not someone moves forward in this industry. The free resources DO exist, and it's fine if you choose not to avail yourself of them. But please don't perpetuate the idea that finding free help is impossible and paying for it is better or required. Best of luck with your work.
Alexa Donne thank you. I love your videos. But just one final thing: I am not wealthy. I earn a teacher salary. I always wanted to write a book and my husband and daughter preferred not to go on vacation this summer so I could get fabulous help to make my dream a reality and because of this 2018 has been my best year ever 💃🏽❤️🙌
Wish I had known this months ago, after eating ramen for weeks to pay an editor. :(
There are writers on TH-cam who emphasise the hell out of the importance of an editor (I'm looking at you, Jenna) without specifying that they are only talking about self-publishing.
Can you do a video on beta readers? One TH-camr swears by them, but they’re hard to find and I’m anxious about sending my work to someone I don’t know.
I have several videos on critique partners linked in the description box--they are the same thing as beta readers. One of the videos is all about how to find them!
But my English isn't that good T_T I am also concerned with bigger plot problems. I am afraid a literary agent won't entertain my book.
Other people who always recommend getting an editor first are - drum roll, please! - editors! I see this constantly in Facebook groups, and too many people believe it.
I consider myself more of a storyteller than a writer. Due to learning disabilities, English is my kryptonite, yet I love to make stories. I'm the type that needs Beta readers and copyeditors before submitting stuff, simple stuff just passes me by and I want my work to at least look decent before submitting stuff. I can look at my work for hours, yet not grasp when something is not right. But yes those who have a good grasp on english and how things work shouldnt' waste their dime. Then again the Author of twilight got published and there was many mistakes English wise for the first book, guess it's all about luck.
Do you have transcripts of your videos?
Unfortunately, no, I do not have transcripts of my videos. They are not scripted beforehand, and I don't have the bandwidth to transcribe, given my full time job and publishing schedule.
I realize I may be the only person who disagrees with this advice, but here goes. It seems that the chances of getting an agent as an entry point into the industry is very difficult. Who wouldn't want to take every advantage to get past that first hurdle? I see hiring an editor as an investment in a career (2nd career for me). For those of us who aren't plugged into a writer's community, CPs are not really an option. I hired a "writing coach" and copy editor and I'm very glad I did. I don't know if my book will be a success, but if it isn't a success, it won't be from trying to save money. If the only money I make allows me to pay myself back from hiring the editor, but I've gained entry into the traditional publishing field, then it has been worth it.
I can tell you why so many of us are asking this question... the unhelpful vague writing advice that says, when is you manuscript ready for query? "When you get as GOOD as you can...." what does that even mean?
The advice most probably came from freelance editors. Just my suspicion since they should know that in traditional publishing, there are a lot of editors in the publisher's employ.