A careful approach

A lot of authors need me or someone like me: an editor. Some would simply do better to hire a ghostwriter. (Yes, I do ghostwriting, too.) However, authors tend to be sensitive about their precious darlings, and criticism receives a cold welcome. Approaching an author about substandard content to suggest editing it or a future manuscript is rather like approaching a dangerous animal. The author or animal is likely to view that approach as threatening and strike first.

More than once after reading an excerpt blasted to the public to promote a book, I've approached an author privately to inform her of egregious grammatical errors. I figure that a private, one-on-one communication is more tactful than simply pointing out errors for the whole world to see. I know I'd rather have someone approach me privately.

Authors seldom appreciate the message. Some authors simply resent being told their work is less than wonderful. Others fear--needlessly--that an editor will steal their work. A few also fear that an editor will change their voice. Here's a hint: a competent author will not change the writer's voice; a good editor refines the writer's voice. Finally, the majority who admit their work would benefit from professional editing also complain of the cost.

New authors are often surprised by the cost of professional editing. Indie authors with several books out also express surprise at the cost of editing, too. That also astonishes and confuses me. Shouldn't they know that already? Why don't they prioritize and prize quality?

It's possible, but certainly neither quick nor easy, to produce a great story without the benefit of professional editing. Most indie authors don't exhibit that kind of patience or enjoy the support of volunteer readers (i.e., beta readers) who provide truly valuable, detailed feedback. Some authors simply don't see the problems in their manuscripts because they're too close to the work. They rush to publish. I understand. I've been guilty of that myself. The result is content that the author believes is golden; yet, the author fails to realize the truth of an old saying: Not all that glitters is gold.

Readers feel cheated when they purchase a book and discover a poorly written and/or poorly edited story. They expect writing that meets standards of professional quality, and their disappointment expresses itself in different ways: public reviews, word of mouth, and private resolution to neither purchase nor read that author's work again. I don't believe that the price of the book makes a difference: it's the time the reader invests in the book and the degree of disappointment they feel that determines their response. A free download that gravely disappoints a reader still garners negative reviews warning other prospective readers away from the book.

Authors depend upon readers. No author argues that. When editing (or offering to edit) a manuscript, I have only the story's best interests in mind. It does not matter whether the author writes within the same genre(s) as I. The author's background, education, nationality, or other distinguishing characteristic does not matter. I focus on the content and do my best to make it better for the reader. If the story pleases the reader, then the author succeeds in her goal and builds a following.

The kind of editing I do goes beyond "mere" correction of errors in spelling, punctuation, and grammar. I "listen" to the story as I go through the content: how does it sound? Does conversation between characters sound natural or stilted? Are details consistent and accurate? Do readers drown in a deluge of expository description? Is that word or phrase really necessary? What does it contribute to the story and how does it advance the story? This kind of editing is a deliberative effort, a laborious process that entails analyzes every word on every line of the manuscript and how it relates to the overarching plot. This is seeing the forest and the trees.

Those authors whom I approach to suggest editing their content should not become angry. I approach them from a reader's perspective after reading a sample of their work. Whether they have a new project in the works or want to revamp an already published manuscript, my goal remains to the same: to improve the content.

Indie authors struggle with credibility as it stands. An increase in overall quality of our published content cannot but improve that credibility and our clout as writers and storytellers. A rising tide lifts all ships.

Every word counts.

#henhousepublishing #hollybargobooks