Freelance Editors

[AmyLee]

I'm wondering who here pays a freelance editor to help them edit their work?  Also, where did you find that person?  I have one that i've been working with for a couple of months now and I really like her work (and she's lovely too) but she just seems to busy to get to my work.  Seeing as how i am a paying customer and we discuss and agree on a timeframe for the work to be returned, this is causing me some grief.  [sorry, that was a whinge....]

Any ideas as to how i can connect with a new one?  I know there are thousands of them on the net but they are usually out of my price range and total strangers (not a fan of that...).

Thoughts, suggestions?

[Jessica V.]

I haven't personally used a freelance editor, so I can't reccomend anyone, but I would suggest you check out some of the other writer's boards. Maybe the VerlaKay one, the SCBWI one...hmm, drawing a blank on any others. I *think* most of those have a section where people can post if they are offering editorial services.

As far as your other problem goes, (her seemingly not having enough time to edit your work properly) I think this one depends on you. Professionally, if you both agreed on a timeframe for the project to be completed, and she has not met that timeframe, then I think you have a right to be upset and go elsewhere. But on the flip side, you will have to find someone new, see if their style agrees with yours, set up a new agreement, etc... That can be a whole lot of work. I wish I had some clear cut answer for you here, but bottom line I guess I'm just trying to say check out your options (the other writer's boards), then take some time to make your decision.

Good luck!

[justwrite]

Myself and another person on this board have both used an editor recommended by a friend of mine. I'm not 100% sure how happy she was. I haven't gotten my ms back yet, so I can let you know. She has taken quite a while! I had the ms ready about five weeks ago and she just started on it about a week and a half ago. She's supposed to have it done any day now. Another friend used her and didn't agree with her assessment BUT, I had read and critiqued the friend's book and totally agreed with the editor. So I'll let you know. PM me and I'll give you her name if you want to make contact. She is very reasonable, I find.

[gypsygurl]

If anyone's interested, one of my mom's friends edited my book and she was PHENOMENAL.  I don't know if she'd do the typical suggestions thing, more grammar and word usage, but I can tell you that my book went through at least ten beta readers and I gave it to her last because she was just interested in reading it.  I told her she could as long as she pointed out any typos and let me know what she thought.  When I got it back she found something on damn near EVERY page (and this was the already been gone over with a fine tooth comb draft).  Her grammar is spectacular.  Anyway, I had mentioned the boards and how people were looking for beta readers and she said if anyone was interested to let me know and get a hold of her. So if you're just looking for that last final polish, I'm sure she'd do it pretty cheap being as it's not her full time job.  She had mine done in week I think, so it'd probably get done pretty fast.  If this is something anyone is looking for, feel free to PM me .

[AmyLee]

Karma and thanks all round. 

I sent my editor an e-mail telling her that i felt like we'd lost momentum and asking if she was waiting on something from me?  She indicated in her response that she was still finishing up the chapters which are outstanding.  Whatever.  I'm trying to be patient because as you rightly pointed out JessicaV, changing editors would be a lot of work.  Besides, I know i can be impatient (like, all the time...) and it wouldn't hurt to cut her some slack.  It's a fine line though.

I'll keep all those ideas in mind because I have a feeling they're going to come in handy.

Thanks again. 

[Stephanie]

  She indicated in her response that she was still finishing up the chapters which are outstanding.  Whatever. 

Oh, I love the ol' suck up schtick (not that the chapters aren't great).  So hard to take them seriously when they're in the position of needing to keep you happy.

Let us know how it works out.

[isinglass]

In my case, that would be kind of like a plumber calling Roto Rooter to work on his pipes.  So, no, I wouldn't.

[Faolmor]

Just to add my "two cents" here...

I am a freelance editor, and if I make a contract with a client, I stick to it.  If I can't for whatever reason, I immediately contact them to explain the reason for the delay.  If my delay causes them any inconvenience, I also offer a partial refund...after all, we've struck an agreement and I've failed to live up to my side of it.  For me, it's just a professional courtesy.  I also like my clients to feel that I am taking care with their work and that they are important to me.

I'm not saying that you need to be concerned by your editor's delay at all.  I am sure she is reputable, and doing a good job.  She is at least responding to your emails, which is a positive sign!  It just depends on how busy she is...but if it was me, and I was swamped, I'd say so before taking any money and not being able to live up to an agreed time-frame.