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Editing Services Blog August 2007

Aug 31, 2007, Let the Dialogue Speak

Mary Deal, a published writer with a great Web site, shares one of my frustrations as an editor, and like me, takes her frustrations out by writing about them.

Her page on writing dialogue will save me time when I'm editing. I'll be sending clients to her page, which makes an excellent pitch for the little word, "said."

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Aug 27, 2007, Marketing Ninja

A self-proclaimed marketing Ninja, Richard Craze of White Ladder Press shares his story.

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Aug 26, 2007, Literary Agent

What Ellen did when the literary agent didn't come.

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Aug 26, 2007, Free Sample Edit

Editors offer a sample edit, either for free or for a minimal fee. Learn how to turn your paid sample into a free sample edit.

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Aug 25, 2007, What are line editors?

Line editors, the artists of the editing world, give a writer's words elegance and power. An editor outlines the qualities of a good line editor.

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Aug 25, 2007, Resources and Gifts for Writers

Resources for the writer, including gifts others can give. Follow links to pages within Writer's Helper Web site and to other sites of value to find the best resources available on the Web.

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Aug 24, 2007, Instruction Manuals Writing Tips

Writing tips for writing instruction manuals. The how-to for how-tos. Link to a helpful editor.

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Aug 23, 2007, Sample Edit: Minimal Fee Or Free?

A sample edit lets a writer test-drive an editor's services and assures that the quote for services is tailored to your writing. Learn how to get your sample edit for free.

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Aug 23, 2007, Make Room For Illustrations

A workshop participant explains what she learned about how to create a balance between text and illustrations.

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Aug 20, 2007, Modern Guttenburg

Fred Ward, a modern Guttenburg, explains how he produced his 9 exquisite gem books.

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Aug 18, 2007, Where Does It Come From And What Does It Mean?

I love words. When I know where a word comes from, I use it more intelligently myself and wring more meaning out of it when I read.

While doing Web site reviews, I discovered this gem and had to share. The link below takes you to a page where you can find the meanings and related words to many root words.

Want to know what a word really means? Click on the root.

Or if you're like me, you'll just click at random, sampling the delights, finding tasty bits you didn't know you could ask for.

I've bookmarked this page. You might like to do so as well.

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Aug 15, 2007, Gifts for Writers

Reviewed and recommended gifts for writers. Your gift is encouragement of talent. Find both free gifts and gifts to buy for yourself or your writer.

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Aug 12, 2007, Ghostwriters

An editor outlines what ghostwriters do and who uses ghostwriting services.

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Aug 10, 2007, Full Time Writer

A full time writer, Paul Blakey, offers support to other writer/publishers through his Self Publishers Club

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Aug 9, 2007, Free Sample Edit Falls Victim To Online Success

As more and more people find me online, I've been overwhelmed with requests for free sample edits. That's no problem. If I were searching for an editor, I'd certainly take advantage of a free sample edit. There's nothing to lose and a lot to gain.

The problem for me is that the time I spend on free samples for people who never really intend to hire me or any other editor cuts into the time I need to spend on the work for my paying clients. When I was starting out, that wasn't a big issue because I had lots of time.

Success has brought me to a crossroads. I could continue to offer free samples to everyone and hire others to help me with the editing. That would add quality control and payroll bookkeeping to my list of duties. I wouldn't be directly paid for those activities, and the only way to pay for that time would be to charge my paying clients more.

Asking my clients to pay more to support a free service to others seems unfair to me. Besides, I'm an editor, not a bookkeeper, at heart. I want to spend more time editing for my clients, not less.

I have decided on a solution that my newsletter subscribers have approved and that I hope will make sense to new visitors to my Web site.

I'm going to charge for the free sample edits.

Yes, that says what you think it says. Let me explain. . .

Anyone who asks for a sample edit will now pay US$20 up front. The sample edit I do is worth far more, up to ten times more, than the fee.
If the writer hires me, I deduct US$20 from the first invoice, and the sample edit is completely free.
If the writer does not hire me, (s)he still has the comments of a professional editor at a highly reduced price.

This should reduce the number of what I've come to call tire kicking submissions and leave me with the time I need to work for the serious writers who take the time to send in their best work and who do plan to use editing services to take their writing to the next level.

Of course I hope all writers continue to use the wealth of free writing tips and publishing help available on the Web site.

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Aug 8, 2007, First Book

A first book is much like a first baby. An author in the midst of writing his first book tells about his experience with an editor.

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Aug 6, 2007, Which Writing Contest Would You Prefer?

Before I announce a new Editor's Choice writing contest, I'd like your feedback.

Here's some background. . .

When I launched Writer's Helper online, I included a writing contest as a way to encourage other writers to write.

Entering a contest can

leapfrong writer's block
give a writer experience in writing according to guidelines (an important skill for those writing for magazines and Web sites and for those submitting query letters to publishers)
let a writer know where he or she stands in the world of writers.

I always like to offer something extra, so in the past, I have given a brief critique with each entry in the Editor's Choice writing contest.

New software about to be launched would allow a different approach. Instead of having my critique, entrants could have their work published online open to a readers' vote and to readers' critique. The winner would be decided by the votes of those who visit the site.

I would have ultimate control over what was published, so

I would publish only pieces that met the criteria of the current contest.
I would publish only helpful critique.

Those who enter would have their work published online, available to prospective publishers and access to critique from a wide range of peers.

Because I would no longer have to handle entries by mail or write critiques myself, I would not charge the current entry fee of $10. I also do not plan on keeping the monetary prize if I change the type of contest, although I would be happy to continue providing an Editor's Choice certificate for the winner.

I see advantages to the new system.

But I created the contest for others, not for myself, and I need your input.

Take a minute to answer the questions below to be part of the decision-making.

Aug 6, 2007, Vote Here

Aug 5, 2007, Writer's Exercise

Writers need physical exercise. Let me share my personal experience with you.

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Aug 3, 2007, Book Review Rape The Two Egypts

A book review for a self-published fictionalized view of ancient Egypt, Rape The Two Egypts. Review written by Audrey Owen, editor for self-publishing writers.

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