finding editors

[4u1solo]

Smashwords has a list of cover designers and a list of formatters. Is there a list of editors, professional editors with experience in ebooks and new authors? How do you qualify an editor? Is there a web site with recommendations for editors?

[Ted]

I'm not aware of any list fitting your needs. Maybe one of the other members can recommend an editor they've used.

In Mark's new book, "The Secrets To Ebook Publishing Success", the chapter titled "Pinch Your Pennies" has this to say about hiring editors/cover designers:

"4. Wait for the cash to come in before you start spending it – If after you release your book it starts selling well and generating a profit, then that’s the time to consider reinvesting a portion of the profits back into the book, possibly in the form of an upgraded cover, new marketing, or hiring an editor to assist with a revised edition."

Looking on the web for a list of editors seems scary to me. There are thousands of scammers looking to milk ebook authors. There are also more than a few authors who find they earn much more money as editors or cover designers than they do as authors.

You might want to consider joining a local writers group in your area, a group which has members with print or ebook publishing experience, and ask one of the members to recommend an editor.

You can download Mark's latest ebook at this link www.smashwords.com/books/view/145431

[4u1solo]

Mark's recommendation is financially sound, but the need to present a clean, well edited first book would seem to over ride that rule. If your intent is to build an audience those first few minutes when someone reads the first paragraph of the first chapter are hard enough to obtain - getting someone to spend money for what might be in the rest of the book is key.
Actually, I've found three or four responders to a Craig's List ad that seem to be the real deal and seeing what they did to my first chapter I'm convinced I need one of them for every chapter. Maybe I should start a list, I'm surprised no one has done that.
And I learned something else, every single one of the editors works in Word. Because the tracking and editing functions are so easily worked with, reviewed and accepted. Add in the comments function, I got a copy of Word 2010 the next day. And I hate myself for doing that but OpenOffice didn't seem to help in the editing phase.

[marytheeditor]

Hello, a real editor here with a few tips.

First, with full respect to Mark Coker, yes you DO need serious editing for your first edition. Often there are three editorial passes: developmental editing, copy editing, and finally proofreading, just like at the big publishing houses. Rushing to publish before perfecting your book is a self-inflicted mortal wound -- no one will care about your second edition (except Mom, maybe). Would you go out on a first date wearing dirty old clothes, not having showered all week? Would you interview for your dream job wearing shorts and flip-flops? You would not. The argument I didn't want to gussy up until I already knew I'd scored makes no sense. You will have missed the opportunity. So why do the equivalent with your precious, hard-won book? Publishing is a business. You must invest something to polish your product before you send it out on its first date, er, present it to the market.

Where to find good editors? Go where the editors are -- which may not be craigslist. You want experience, solid skills, an understanding of your work (fiction is different than a tech manual), and empathy for authors.

I recommend Bay Area Editors Forum, where I hang out. www.editorsforum.org You can search by the type of editing you need, or by fiction, nonfiction, or by subject. I have a page there myself.

Another great site is Editorial Freelancers Association www.the-efa.org/.

I especially recommend a look at EFA's standard rates survey www.the-efa.org/res/rates.php to help you work out a budget based on your page count. An editorial page, by the way, is 250 words, always, no matter how it's formatted. Also, it's a sad truth that most drafts need more work than their authors realize. You may think you only need a light proofing when in fact you need a full make-over. Or not. Trust your editor's opinion, then get a second opinion.

Here's one more: the CE-L Freelancers (affectionately known as the celery bunch) directory: www.copyediting-l.info/. I'm there too.

You now have hundreds, maybe thousands of professional editors at your beck and call. Be nice, be fair, be realistic. No mere editor can turn your baby into a Noble Prize winner if it doesn't already have that DNA. But we can improve any manuscript, sometimes vastly.

Mary DeDanan, editor and writer
tinyURL.com/MaryDeEditor

Mark Coker, interviewed on Digital Book World.com: www.digitalbookworld.com/2012/smashwords-ceo-mark-coker-indie-authors-need-to-become-great-publishers/:

"The biggest challenge is self-restraint. Publishing tools, like Smashwords make it fast, free and easy for any writer anywhere in the world to publish. But we don’t make it easy to write a great book. Many writers, intoxicated by the freedom to self-publish, will often release their book before it’s ready to be released."

[Ted]

Thanks, Mary. Your post tingled the spam button, but was nicely written.