Question 1

What is a Manuscript Evaluation?

Accepted Answer

Sometimes an author is at a point in their revisions that they feel they have gone as far as they can go. They simply do not know if there is anything more to work on before they tackle publishing.  Or, they may know they need the help of a professional editor, but do not know what level of editing would benefit them the most. A manuscript evaluation can be incredibly helpful at this point. An evaluator will do a thorough read through of your entire manuscript, watching out for any readability or editing concerns. They will then provide you with written feedback and recommendations. The small fee for an evaluation gives you the opportunity to decide what you want your next steps to be before deciding to contract with an editor for their services.

Question 2

What if you are harsh and it makes me want to give up? Or what if you are too soft and don’t help me fix what’s wrong with my manuscript?

Accepted Answer

​As you’ll see, when you look at my “next steps,” we would start out with a sample edit.  We do that so I can show you how I work, and I can see what you need, both with services, but also with communication and support. Finding the right editor is not just a decision about rates and scheduling. Because of the heart and time that writers put into their work, it is important that the editor/author relationship is cohesive and comfortable. Now, that doesn’t mean the revision process will always be super fun - I won’t pretend that hearing and implementing constructive criticism is a walk in the park. However, the communication between you and your editor should not be the painful part. I, as your editor, will always be honest with you. And I will always be kind and supportive in providing that criticism and helping you understand and implement the suggestions.

Question 3

What if I don’t like your edits? What if you make my book too different from what I want it to be?

Accepted Answer

First of all, editing suggestions are always just that - suggestions. It is important that you be open to considering suggestions. If you are not, it is not time for you to hire an editor. But being open does not mean blindly accepting. You are free to ask questions about, or even reject, any suggestions an editor makes for your manuscript. It is your manuscript. If you want to discuss a suggestion or ask for another idea in place of it, that is absolutely your prerogative as well!

Second, it is my top priority to make your manuscript shine the way you want it to. In my “previous life,” prior to following this dream of editing, I was a mental health counselor. What that means is - I listen very well. I listen to your voice in your writing and work diligently to keep your voice intact, or amplified, in any editing suggestions I make.

Question 4

Why do I need an editor anyway? I already did a thousand million revisions.

Accepted Answer

Yes, I am certain you have done an incredible job revising from first draft to where you are now. However, your book originated in your mind, traveled from your mind to the page over innumerable hours, and then journeyed through the revisions your mind and eyes required of it.  The problem there is that because  you know your story so well, your mind supplies ideas, descriptions, and even punctuation that may not actually be present on the page for your readers. An editor reads your manuscript with a trained, objective eye to find those missing pieces, help your story come to life on the page as brilliantly as it lives in your mind, and polish any jagged edges.

Question 5

What are the different types of editing?

Accepted Answer

There are generally 3 types of editing most people talk about.  These are sometimes broken down even further, however, for most people’s purpose and understanding, 3 is plenty. I’ll explain them from the “top” down.

1. Developmental editing (aka structural or substantive) is “big picture stuff.”  Your editor would read your manuscript with an eye for those larger missing or mixed-up pieces such as plot holes, flow from one chapter to the next and cohesiveness/flow of the entire book. She will watch for things like a scene set in midsummer that suddenly has snow falling a few paragraphs down, a character whose blue eyes are described as green halfway through… that sort of issue.  Your editor will point out holes and discrepancies and give feedback about how to make connections and improve the flow.

2. Line editing (aka copy) is just what it sounds like – your editor will go through your manuscript line by line and make suggestions on word choice to improve impact, clarity, and readability. They will also correct  run-on or fragmented sentences and grammar issues.

3. Mechanical editing (aka proofreading) deals with the fine details such as typos, punctuation corrections, misspellings, etc.

The different types of editing do not need to be mutually exclusive.  Some authors choose to go for a package including all three levels of editing.

Question 6

How do I know what type of editing I need?

Accepted Answer

That is entirely up you, but usually you will have some awareness, either on your own, or due to feedback from folks who have read early drafts of your work, what you might need help with.  If you are totally unsure if you need editing or what level you might benefit from, a Manuscript Evaluation might be your first step.