Editors and Publishers

'Don't fall into the trap'

Let’s delve into the world of writing, editing, and publishing. As someone deeply immersed in the authorial community and social media, I frequently encounter fellow writers who proudly announce they’re working with professional editors or publishers. Yet, a casual perusal through Amazon’s "Look Inside" feature often reveals books bearing the mark of an "editor" or "publisher" that are, frankly, disappointing.

Amidst the sea of advice urging writers to enlist the services of an editor or publisher, I can’t help but roll my eyes. Of course, I’d jump at the chance to work with professionals – editors, publishers, even designers. But let’s be real here. Many authors opt for editors who charge a mere few hundred dollars. Frankly, that sets off alarm bells for me. A thorough search for editing services reveals that quality comes at a price.

Professional editing services, from the dozens I’ve explored, typically start at around five thousand dollars. These reputable services boast a solid client base, a proven track record, and a portfolio showcasing their past work. Quality editing doesn’t come cheap.

So, what exactly does a professional editor do when they receive your manuscript? They dive in, meticulously combing through your work, identifying grammatical errors, misspellings, and punctuation issues. They then rectify these errors, ensuring your prose flows seamlessly. But their job doesn’t stop there. They scrutinize your manuscript for consistency, clarity, and immersion, jotting down notes on everything from story structure to pacing.

Once this initial phase is complete, a professional editor embarks on two crucial tasks: they rewrite sections that require substantial editing and provide you, the author, with both the edited manuscript and their detailed notes. From there, it’s up to you to review their changes, ensuring your voice and vision remain intact. This iterative process may repeat several times until both parties are satisfied. That’s the hallmark of a professional editor.

However, the reality is often far from ideal. You pay a few hundred dollars upfront, eagerly send off your manuscript, only to receive it back a few days later virtually unchanged. The editor likely ran your work through a basic grammar checker, hastily marking a few errors before returning it to you. Pacing, tone, consistency – these critical elements are often ignored. This isn’t editing; it’s a scam.

So, why do I opt to self-edit? Simple economics. I’m not prepared to shell out between five and ten thousand dollars per book when I know I won’t recoup that investment in sales for the next decade. It just doesn’t add up.

Now, let’s talk about publishers. Many authors fall into the trap of vanity or hybrid publishing. Take my recent experience, for example. I submitted my manuscript and received a response within weeks – an offer for hybrid publishing. The deal sounded enticing at first: we’d split the publishing costs. But upon closer inspection, my share amounted to a hefty £2500. I couldn’t help but wonder: if publishing this book costs a mere five grand, why should I fork over such a substantial sum when I could do it myself and keep all the profits?

But here’s the kicker: publishing, with all its intricacies – editing, design, marketing – costs upwards of twenty grand. What does this tell me? That the publisher would likely perform a cursory edit, invest next to nothing in marketing, and simply release the book on Amazon, much like I could do myself. The difference? They’ve pocketed £2500 upfront, leaving me in the lurch. And if by some miracle the book sells, they’ll take a hefty cut of the royalties. It’s a lose-lose situation for the author.

Let’s face it – these aren’t publishers; they’re legal scammers. Don’t fall into their trap. Serious publishers don’t ask for money; if anything, they may offer a modest advance. They invest time and resources in editing, design, and marketing, leveraging their networks to ensure your book reaches its full potential. They arrange book signings, appearances, and explore avenues for adaptations. That’s the kind of publisher worth waiting for.

I am sorry for authors who self-publish, only to find that their books don't sell. In their desperation and defeat, they turn to such editing and publishing services, hoping they will achieve something. In the end, due to the worst editing they could have done by themselves, they ruin their name. Readers avoid them, and they lose a huge amount of money.

Yes, I am aware that I can't edit my book as professionally as an editor would, but now I don't see the sense in hiring a professional if I know that in ten years, I won't even earn back the money I invested in editing. No, I will do the best I can and hope I haven't ruined the story too much, and that readers might come back to read my books.

I did absolutely terrible editing with my first book, I know that. This is why I hate my first book from the depths of my soul. It is complete rubbish, despite the good story, it is completely ruined by poor editing. The second wasn't better either, but it was progress. However, it wasn't a waste; I learned a lot. Every book that comes after those two is better and better, so the only thing I need is to be patient, rather than jumping at cheap offers and pushing myself over the brink, and worse, making myself hate writing because of that.

Writing isn't my source of income; I have a full-time job. But writing is something that fulfills me, makes me happy, and honestly, it's relaxation.