When Do You Need An Editor?

Sandra here to talk about the important issue of editing your work before you put it out there.  I have been indie publishing my back list. It has been so rewarding that I have even published some first edition novellas. This is very exciting, but also requires diligent responsibilities. So I brought along a special guest to talk about the types of editing available.

To present a novel that looks and reads professional, it helps to hire professional help. I am totally not talented with artistic gifts, so I have enjoyed the help of graphic artists to design my book covers.

I am publishing a second edition of Where The Eagle Flies that was in the Seeker novella collection With This Kiss. I hired Debora Lewis to design the cover. She is a friend I met at the Society of Southwestern Authors meeting here in Tucson. Don't you love the cover?

Ready for preorder from Amazon (shameless promotion)

Debora also did a new cover for my novella set in Spain. I had a cover with Christmas hearts but when selling this at craft fairs, people commented that they thought it was an inspirational book rather than a romance. Our friend Vince, after reading the novella, informed me that it needed a cover that showed it was a romance and suggested using the characters on the beach with their horses. Don't you love this cover? If you haven't read A Heart Full of Hope yet, you can order it here.

Available on Amazon (another shameless plug)

Another important professional that I hire is an editor. I usually hire a content editor and then a line editor. Do you know the difference?

Rachelle Rea Cobb is an author friend of mine and she is also an editor. I asked her some questions about the difference between content editing and line editing. Here is her response:

1.  What is the difference between content editing and line editing?

I'm so glad you asked! I hear this question all the time, and the good news is the answer is really quite simple: line editing is surface-level, and content editing digs deep. When I'm line-editing, I correct typos, fix grammar problems, and ensure the text is as clean as can be. But when I'm content-editing,  I do all that I just mentioned about line-editing, plus I look at plot development, characterization, and story structure. I smooth transitions, point out what is gold and suggest areas where text can be tightened or expanded for clarity. Content editing, obviously, is my favorite, because I get to polish each page until it shines.

2.  Are there other terms for these types of editing? 

Yes! Line editing can also be referred to as copyediting or proofreading. Content editing can also be referred to as substantive editing or deep editing. There are probably many more terms, too, but most editing falls into these two basic categories. 

3.  What should we look for when hiring a line editor?

Look for someone with a great eye for detail. You want someone able to spot an extra space between words, who can easily identify when two hyphens are masquerading as an em-dash-and someone who is vigilant about eradicating any and all typos from your work.

4. What things should we ask a content editor to do?

Be ruthless. I always appreciate when a client approaches me with a teachable attitude; they tell me they want their project to be the best it can possibly be so they give me permission to point out any and all areas that I feel could use improvement. This frees me to do my job and lets me know this writer is serious about making their words work!

5. Why is it important to hire a line editor?

When doing a line edit, I ensure each page is polished and professional. This means that whether you are sending that query letter to an editor or uploading that manuscript straight to KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing), you can be confident it is clean and ready to go. The next reader after your line editor will expect perfection and be peeved by typos they find--they may even stop reading! Make sure this doesn't happen by hiring a line editor.

Thank you Rachelle for your wonderful insights. I do think it is so important to hire an editor before publishing your work. You don't want a reader to get turned off by poor spelling, grammar and content mistakes. 

I also think its important to hire an editor before submitting to a major house for the first time. Sure traditional publishers have their own editors, but their editors are swamped and they are going to be more inclined to buy a manuscript that needs little work than one that is going to require a lot of editing time on their part.

Rachelle has a new book that released March 4th that will be a real help and resource for writers.  Write Well - A Grammar Guide offers tips for the most common grammar issues.  She is also releasing a new resource (free) called 7 Quick Fixes for Common Writing Mistakes.  This offer can be found here on her website and is free.

Thanks again for joining us today Rachelle.  Rachelle will be onboard today if you have any questions for her specifically.  

BIO: Rachelle Rea Cobb has history with words. She penned her first short story in middle school, her first novel right out of high school, and signed a three-book publishing contract right after college for her Steadfast Love Series. But she believes writing isn't all heart and art; it's structure and syntax, too. One of her favorite things to do is help others polish their own pages until they shine. 

She lives in a seaside Southern town with her new husband, who shares the name of Rachelle's first fictional hero - even though she hadn't yet met her husband when she wrote three books about a man with the same first name.  She blogs when inspiration strikes. She loves to hear from her readers, and you can reach her via Rachelle@RachelleReaCobb.com.

Today I've picked some yummy oranges off my tree as this is when they are their sweetest. Please help ourself and enjoy some hot coffee, tea or cocoa. 

I will be offering e-copies of Rachelle's book, Write Well to five writers who comment today. For readers who comment. , I will offer a print version of one of my novellas.  Please indicate in your comment if you want the writer gift or the reader gift. Thank you. 

Sandra Leesmith writes sweet romances to warm the heart. Sandra loves to play pickleball, hike, read, bicycle and write. She is based in Arizona, but she and her husband travel throughout the United States in their motorhome and enjoy the outdoors. You can find Sandra's books here on Amazon. Three of Sandra's most popular books are also audio books at Audible. You can read more of Sandra's posts here.

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