Why do I need an editor?
Even the best writers won’t produce a perfect book right away. The process of getting a novel ready for publication includes numerous revisions and reworking of concepts, spotting errors from huge plot holes to apostrophe misuse. It’s almost impossible to be objective when working with your own novel, and you’ll find it difficult to see the things that a professional editor knows to look out for.
Do I need an editor even if I’m self-publishing?
It's highly advisable. Self-publishing is a saturated market, and you want to do all you can to help your book stand out amongst the crowd. You’ll be competing with traditionally published books that have had the benefit of rounds of professional editing and proofreading, and you want to put your best foot forward. If there are typos, inconsistencies or dodgy sentences in your sample pages, it’s highly unlikely readers will pay for the full version.
Will getting my novel edited guarantee that it sells?
I will provide you with constructive, honest and clear feedback to help you develop your manuscript into the best it can be. Unfortunately, this does not guarantee that you will be able to get a publishing deal or that your book will sell millions self publishing.
What types of books do you edit?
I work predominantly with adult fiction or memoir titles. I have previously worked on a range of genres, from psychological thriller to crime fiction and sci-fi. I don’t work on children's picture books, those with very little text or graphic novels. I can work with certain types of non-fiction titles, depending on my expertise in the subject area – please contact me to discuss your needs.
What type of editing do I need?
The type of service that is right for you depends on where you are in the editing process. Please have a look at the services tab to see a detailed description of the services I offer. If you’re still unsure, feel free to contact me for advice.
I'm new to this and want to take some writing classes first – do you have any recommendations?
I highly recommend the Writing Workshops with prize-winning author Diane Chandler and her publisher Stephanie Zia of Blackbird Digital Books. The workshops can be booked through this link.