Editors: What Do They Really Do?

Sending a manuscript out into "the great beyond" is more than a little scary. Most find it difficult to ask family and friends to give an honest opinion of their work, let alone hand it to a stranger for evaluation. Nonetheless, having a professional editor evaluate your work before you send it on its way can greatly improve your chances of scoring a contract.

Here are a few key things every writer should know about editors:

• Some editors work for publishing companies, while others are freelance. You do have to pay a freelancer to evaluate your work, but investing a little cash before you send your manuscript out can really pay off. On the upside, freelancers have time to read every piece all the way through, and to give extensive commentary. Editors at publishing companies sometimes don't have time to get past the first page.
  
• Editing is a professional service, and will cost the same as other professional services. While editors do love reading new work, they do so in order to make a living, just like the rest of us. To ensure that you get what you pay for, consult professional editors' associations. They'll not only have listings of experienced editors, but can also give you some idea of what it should cost.
  
• There are several different types of editing. Copy editing focuses on mechanical things like grammar and spelling. Substantive editing focuses more on style and content. Developmental editing helps with planning, researching and organizing, sometimes even before a piece is actually written. Naturally, the more involved you'd like your editor to be, the more you should expect to pay.
• Editors often specialize in different genres of writing, or subject areas. If you're expecting more than just a quick clean up, you should shop around for a good match.
• Remember that you're paying an editor to help you get your manuscript into the best possible condition. Expect to be criticized, and be critical of anyone who just says your work is "wonderful". After all, you're paying this person to help you make changes, and not to stroke your ego.
• Hiring an editor does not guarantee that you'll be published. Many will be able to give useful hints and tips, but in the end, it's still a matter of luck and persistence.
  

Stomped by the Ebook?

In 1979, The Buggles released their first single and proclaimed that "Video Killed the Radio Star." With the emergence of the Kindle and more recently, the iPad, a lot of writers are wondering if electronic book format is about to do the same to the printed page, or even worse, to the written word itself. Naturally, those of us who "live by our pens" (or hope to someday), are a little unnerved by this prospect.

Before we all abandon hope, here are a few thoughts to help keep things in perspective:

• New technology has always brought about widespread change. It happened when we started scribbling on paper instead of cave walls. It happened when the printing press was invented. And yet, humans are still itching to write things down and share them with others. The way we deliver stories may evolve, but the desire to tell them will probably stick.
  
• Electronic formatting will change the way we distribute and market books, without a doubt. This may mean that part of a writer's job will be to use online social networking, as well as podcasts and live chats. It may be new territory for some, but it can mean reaching a larger audience, without leaving the comforts of one's own home. Hey, even Margaret Atwood is on Twitter!
• Ask yourself if you really care whether your work is read from a piece of paper, or from a computer screen. As far as I'm concerned, if people are reading my stuff, and I'm getting paid for it, then I'm doing alright. Given the success of iTunes, it may be that people are far more willing to pay to download literature than they are to take it home in a bag and have to find space for it.
  
• Paper books will probably still have sentimental cache for many readers. Beyond their practical use, they're cultural artifacts, like the family china pattern, or one's favorite stuffed animal. I recently heard a parent say that even after her daughter read a book on her Kindle, she still wanted a paperback copy, so that she could take it to school and share favourite pages with friends.
  

A Writer's Wishlist

For those of you looking to buy something special for a writer this holiday season (or for those of you looking to receive something like this), here is a list of suggestions:

• Rolls of stamps. Publishers still like things to arrive by snail mail, and it can be costly to send submissions. If your writer tends to send material abroad, ask about international vouchers at the post office.
  
• Decent writing utensils. Pens and pencils designed for frequent use (especially the ones with the comfy, spongy ends) can be a godsend for those afflicted with writer's cramp.
  
• Computer accessories. For writers who prefer to type (all of us have to at some point), look for an ergonomic mouse, or a gel wrist rest, or a specially-designed keyboard. Large monitors can also make editing easier on the eyes.
• Reference material. Resource books for writers are plentiful, as are magazines on the subject. If you can't decide which one looks the most useful, give a gift certificate.
  
• Fun toys. Being a word nerd has never been more popular. Treat your writer to a plush toy of their favourite wordsmith, jewelry made from antique typewriter keys, or a coffee mug with a humourous quote.
  
• Time. For a writer, a day without distractions is as good as anything that can be wrapped up with a bow. Volunteer to take the kids out, run some errands, or bring over a home-cooked meal.
  

Cleanliness Is Next to Godliness

Regardless of whether you're writing the next great literary masterpiece, or you're putting together a new resume, spelling and grammar count. A lot of new writers make the mistake of assuming that a few bumps and bruises on their manuscript won't keep it from being read and/or accepted.

Think about it this way: if you're going to send something to a publisher, you're basically going to an informal, long-distance interview. You may have the best of intentions, and ingenious ideas, but writers, by definition, are expected to write well, and this means catching and correcting errors. Hospitals don't hire surgeons who can't suture properly, welding companies don't hire workers can't use a torch, and editors don't give contracts to writers who can't produce clean, accurate copy.

That being said, it's sometimes difficult to edit and proofread our own work. By the time we're ready to send something out, we've seen it so many times that we're too close to it to be objective. Here are a few suggestions:

• Get other people to read it for you, preferably people who know how to write. If you can afford to hire a professional editor, great! If not, have at least a few other pairs of eyes look over your work.
  
• When reading your own work, try to break it down into smaller pieces. Checking one hundred pages in one sitting may make your eyes cross, but doing ten or twenty pages per day is be more manageable.
• Invest in a dictionary and a thesaurus. Spell-check on a computer will catch a few things here and there, but it's no substitute for your own judgment and a reliable reference book.
• Don't try to correct every type of error at once. Go through once for spelling, then a second time for sentence structure, then a third time for something else.
• If you can, put the manuscript aside for a week or two. Coming back to it later will allow you to reboot your brain, and evaluate the work from a fresh perspective.
• Editing and proofreading is picky, technical work. It isn't the sort of thing that should be done with the television blaring, or with people buzzing around you. Try to find a quiet spot where you can focus.
• Choose a format that works for you. Some people do fine with reading from a computer screen, while others need to print things out in order to really do a good job. If you do opt to stay on the computer, see if you can get hold of a bigger monitor, so that you won't strain your eyes.
  
• Never assume that editing and proofreading end when you submit a manuscript. If it comes back with a rejection, take it as an opportunity to polish up the work even more before sending it out again.
  

Has "Paper and Pen" Gone Out of Style?

I'm as addicted to modern technology as the next person. I spend a great deal of time on the internet (hence the blogging), I love my ipod, and I consider USB keys to be fashion accessories. I do, however, stubbornly cling to the practice of writing on paper. It may be because I like the bohemian feel of a worn out notebook, or because I have a hard time being creative while staring into a screen. Regardless, I know I'm not alone in wondering if it's still okay to be somewhat low-tech when it comes to writing. On a regular basis, I get asked whether being a professional writer includes owning a computer, or learning to send emails. For anyone who feels at all technophobic, but still intends to take a stab at the writing business, here's what you need to know.

• Anything you submit to an agent, publisher, editor will have to be typed. In many cases, it will also have to be available in electronic format, either as a CD, or as an email attachment. If you're not comfortable using a word processing program, then you need to get some lessons, or find someone who will type it for you.
  
• Although few publishing professionals don't allow you to submit actual manuscripts through email, many of them do use this as a primary means of communication with potential authors. If you don't have an email account, get one. If you don't already check your email regularly (once a day is usually fine), you should get into the habit of doing so.
  
• Like it or not, electronic formatting is becoming more popular in publishing. People do read books online, and with portable devices. Moreover, many publishers use blogs, social networking sites and podcasts as part of their marketing campaigns. If you want to present you and your work as a good investment, you should at least familiarize yourself with what's out there.
  

Going It Alone: Is Self-Publishing Right For You?

It sounds like the ideal solution, doesn't it? You don't have to wait for the publishing world to realize you're a genius, you get ultimate creative control of your work, and you get to take all the credit when it becomes a best-seller. True, self-publishing does allow for all of this, but there are some important things to consider before jumping in.

• Who is your target audience? If you're hoping to produce something for family and friends, or if you've got something that will be distributed to a very specific group or organization, self-publishing might be ideal. You'll get a book that looks great, and is durable.
• Even self-published works should be given an ISBN number. This is usually free, and officially registers your work so it will be easier to find. Many self-publishers will offer to arrange for this.
• Very few self-publishers offer to market or distribute work for their authors. Be brutally honest with yourself about the amount of time, effort, money and expertise you're able to commit to getting your work out there. Most big bookstore chains don't buy self-published works. Realize that if you don't do the all of the footwork, your books will likely sit in boxes in your basement.
• Self-published books are often put onto the market without editing, proofreading or critique. It may seem ideal to avoid having a publisher tell you what you can and can't do, but we're often poor judges of our own work. If your self-publishing company doesn't provide editing and proofreading services, you should seek out a freelancer to make sure that you are producing a quality book.
• Use a reputable self-publisher with a good track record. If you're going to invest thousands of dollars, you should at least be sure that the book will be well constructed and attractive, and that the company producing it isn't likely to disappear.
• Many people self-publish with the hope that the book will be picked up by a larger company in the future. Unless your self-published work is a runaway best-seller, it's highly unlikely that publishers or agents will take it on.
• Never, ever sign away all rights to your work to a self-publishing company. If you're going to go this route, you should at least ensure that you keep control of what happens to your book.
  

Writing Contests: Goldmine or Cash Grab?

It's difficult to get published (no big secret), but as writers, we still crave recognition. The thought of having an award-winning piece of writing is definitely intriguing, even if it doesn't come with a contract or Swiss bank account. There are a number of reputable competitions, but there are also quite a few organizations that aim to prey on writers looking to get their work read. Here are a few things to watch for when submitting work to contests.

1. Many contests have entry fees, and this shouldn't necessarily raise a red flag. You should, however, watch for contests that ask for excessive fees, or that necessitate that you purchase a copy of an anthology of winning work, or cough up money in order to travel to pick up your prize.

2. Many reputable publications promise a subscription to everyone who enters the contest (and consequently, make their entry fees match the usual cost). This doesn't necessarily mean that the contest isn't legitimate. It's just a way for publications to raise funds and awareness, while scouting for new talent.

3. Look for specifics. Seek out contests that that state when and where the winners will be announced, as well as the names and credentials of the judges. If possible, look for a paper trail. If a contest promises publication, see if you can track down copies of work by previous winners.

4. Be aware that some publishers don't accept work that's been entered in contests and competitions, just as they don't accept work that's been submitted to other publishers. If there's something you really want to see on the shelves, you might want to save it.

5. Entering (and winning) a contest should never entail signing over your rights to your own work. If your story or poem is good enough to win a prize, it might be good enough to publish later on, and you'll want to have the ability to send it elsewhere.

6. Money is a common prize, but there are other valuable things to be gained. Some contests send winning entries to actual publishers for consideration, some offer free copies of winning work, and some provide professional critique.

7. Always do a background check on the company or organization sponsoring the contest. Have they run the contest before? Do they do other publications? Do you know anyone else who has entered and/or won?

8. In general, if a contest seems too good to be true, it probably is. Getting published and recognized is a long, slow process, even in the best of situations. Anyone promising that you'll be instantly rich and famous is probably looking to sell you something. Your work is worth sending to someone who will really appreciate and respect it.