tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8449147139519589668.post6358510209205889416..comments2024-01-13T03:17:02.912-06:00Comments on S.K. Mayhew, Kid Lit Writer : When To Hire An Editor or When To Throw In The TowelSharon K. Mayhewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07799235347319851345noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8449147139519589668.post-46924236254640799102014-10-21T01:15:30.466-05:002014-10-21T01:15:30.466-05:00Hiring an editor is something that never occurred ...Hiring an editor is something that never occurred to me when I was young, because I thought all editors worked for publishing houses. I think the rise of the freelance editor, book doctor and other middlepersons of the publishing world is a fairly modern idea. Assessors, editors and indeed crit partners are not created equal. I remember when I used to take an industry magazine and I'd read sage advice from various people and then, at the end, discover they were actually unpublished. That doesn't mean their advice wasn't useful, just that it hadn't worked for them.Florahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10668867058378084452noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8449147139519589668.post-19977931937298969812014-10-16T11:14:45.909-05:002014-10-16T11:14:45.909-05:00Not always an easy question! I'm debating this...Not always an easy question! I'm debating this for one of mine right now. Sigh. Hard to know if it'll be worth it sometimes. :)Janet Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12688012956157161889noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8449147139519589668.post-73284339523746412552014-10-14T12:53:04.582-05:002014-10-14T12:53:04.582-05:00Oh yeah. I've done the editor scene. It can be...Oh yeah. I've done the editor scene. It can be difficult to find one that's reasonably priced but knows what they're doing. Even then, you have to realize the way the book comes together is ultimately your decision. Crystal Collierhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03912469552483168148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8449147139519589668.post-69968652459433636432014-10-13T18:07:11.418-05:002014-10-13T18:07:11.418-05:00I do like this article. Great advice (and perfect ...I do like this article. Great advice (and perfect for the book!)Lynda R Young as Elle Cardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09975442291393246148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8449147139519589668.post-88116267815787461212014-10-13T16:29:04.693-05:002014-10-13T16:29:04.693-05:00I put away a manuscript for many years, 5 to be ex...I put away a manuscript for many years, 5 to be exact, and took it out and rewrote it. It's going to be published soon. Whether it's time or hiring someone, manuscripts can be saved. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8449147139519589668.post-54693523533283306132014-10-12T21:01:56.489-05:002014-10-12T21:01:56.489-05:00Excellent advice, Mayhew! The trick is being willi...Excellent advice, Mayhew! The trick is being willing to make the changes that the editing expert says you need. Like you said, have an open mind. I have not done it yet. With all my betas (like you) not sure I ever will. Unless that editor is....Robyn Campbellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17356555082768185840noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8449147139519589668.post-2125843657116655752014-10-12T19:32:50.671-05:002014-10-12T19:32:50.671-05:00Some of my manuscripts I think even an editor coul...Some of my manuscripts I think even an editor couldn't save. I got advice from an editor this year, and it was invaluable. But, like you say, you have to be willing to make the changes. Great post! Theresa Milsteinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03477761307315565259noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8449147139519589668.post-44029489011755454432014-10-12T17:54:14.571-05:002014-10-12T17:54:14.571-05:00That was great info! We're not the type to th...That was great info! We're not the type to throw in the towel though. Lay on it yes, throw it in, nope!Brian's Home Bloghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08809631273441407139noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8449147139519589668.post-30942496515363428192014-10-12T16:26:54.145-05:002014-10-12T16:26:54.145-05:00Yes, we do have to listen to advice and be prepare...Yes, we do have to listen to advice and be prepared to change our stories. Nashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14984530648140460594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8449147139519589668.post-62897643816669577402014-10-06T21:28:31.483-05:002014-10-06T21:28:31.483-05:00I haven't actually ever hired an editor...just...I haven't actually ever hired an editor...just used an array of critique partners. My agent is also pretty good at catching stuff, and tailoring my manuscripts to the market. :) Thanks for the solid advice!!Carol Riggshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14092209912983783974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8449147139519589668.post-58332821743374375682014-10-05T15:51:39.220-05:002014-10-05T15:51:39.220-05:00Sharon, that is great advice!
Sharon, that is great advice!<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8449147139519589668.post-18140621417679083622014-10-03T15:13:16.333-05:002014-10-03T15:13:16.333-05:00Terrific advice! Thank you for this valuable infor...Terrific advice! Thank you for this valuable information and perspectives! <br /><br />Warmly,<br />Donna Donna McDinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00959673932828354020noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8449147139519589668.post-78339208960985120832014-10-02T15:16:26.950-05:002014-10-02T15:16:26.950-05:00I've never been in a situation where I felt I ...I've never been in a situation where I felt I needed to hire an editor. I'm not sure I would unless I was planning on self-publishing. If it had gone through several rounds of critiques and revisions and still wasn't getting any interest at all, I think I would just put it aside, consider it a learning experience, and move on to a new project. :)Gisele LeBlanchttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03266956633017568772noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8449147139519589668.post-90028575209446316692014-10-02T07:25:02.778-05:002014-10-02T07:25:02.778-05:00I have hired editors on several occasions now. I&#...I have hired editors on several occasions now. I'm convinced it is because I have that I finally have gotten a book accepted for publication. Several didn't make it but what I learned was invaluable and helped to make my next novel better. I shopped around and tried to find someone who would work with me and liked my kind of writing.Terri Tiffanyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07771622379178654235noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8449147139519589668.post-77242530920140293122014-10-01T21:37:04.183-05:002014-10-01T21:37:04.183-05:00Worth every penny! :)Worth every penny! :)Jemi Fraserhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02214408467456320167noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8449147139519589668.post-24539059808870166552014-10-01T19:11:33.996-05:002014-10-01T19:11:33.996-05:00I could see hiring an editor if you're really ...I could see hiring an editor if you're really committed to a manuscript that based on feedback you think you could get right with help. I've never done it. For now, I decided to shelve my first manuscript that I've edited so much and work on something new. I haven't said I won't take it out again when I have fresh eyes.Natalie Aguirrehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03756087804171246660noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8449147139519589668.post-67402793470751364232014-10-01T12:03:13.717-05:002014-10-01T12:03:13.717-05:00Sound advice...
We must be open to change if we w...Sound advice...<br /><br />We must be open to change if we want to move forward.<br /><br />I was lucky to find an editor who believed in my story. It took SIX MONTHS of rewrites, but I am glad I did. My story is so much tighter and fluid.<br /><br />Using an editor is something I strongly suggest to any author who is at a standstill and wants to move forward.Michael Di Gesuhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17047267262428143113noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8449147139519589668.post-6119079636636992482014-10-01T11:47:49.638-05:002014-10-01T11:47:49.638-05:00I'm glad you bring up the issue of your willin...I'm glad you bring up the issue of your willingness to listen to the feedback! If you aren't willing to make changes based on professional advice, don't spend the money!<br /><br />And maybe move on to some other project or re-evaluate your commitment. Because when you do find an agent or sell a book to an editor, you will have to get used to making changes. Dianne K. Salernihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16459839567235304842noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8449147139519589668.post-20977008266110037102014-10-01T06:30:16.378-05:002014-10-01T06:30:16.378-05:00Great advice, Sharon! I did hire an editor once. I...Great advice, Sharon! I did hire an editor once. It was after I'd received offers for my YA novel, but opted out and signed with an agent instead. We decided to go the editor's route to take the book to a higher level. It at least got me on sub with 4 of the big six. S.A. Larsenッhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06241633272588383935noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8449147139519589668.post-45749922869597789062014-10-01T03:48:34.969-05:002014-10-01T03:48:34.969-05:00Hi Sharon - sometimes we just have to let go ... o...Hi Sharon - sometimes we just have to let go ... or take the advice and alter your beloved manuscript, or just start again ... <br /><br />I am not at that point in the writing journey ... good luck to all who are .. cheers HilaryHilary Melton-Butcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17596532480645510678noreply@blogger.com