Freelance Editors
Many authors submit manuscripts that would greatly benefit from the experienced eye (and pencil) of an editor. It used to be that authors would receive the necessary feedback for improving their manuscripts after they sold their book to a publisher, but today's overworked editors are being discouraged from editing and to only concentrate on acquisitions. The reality is that manuscripts need to be submitted in as polished a version as can be to pull in an editor who knows he or she doesn't have the time to really roll up their sleeves and help the author.
As an editor, I frequently acquired novels that had terrific writing but flaws in story structure or pacing. You can’t teach good prose, but you can teach structure and pacing—the craft of writing as opposed to the art of writing. It’s the rewriting that’s the hard part—but that’s often the most rewarding, for that’s where problems get solved, and good writing is made better.
While I dearly love tearing a manuscript apart and helping an author put it back together better than before, the sad fact is that it is a very time consuming task. It isn’t really cost-effective for me to do that as an agent. But don’t fret—there is indeed help out there. There are many editors who have left the grind of corporate publishing who haven’t become agents. They became freelance editors. Authors pay for their services, and the fees can be somewhat modest to very expensive, depending on how much work needs to be done and who will be doing it. There are many excellent freelance editors out there, some of whom I have worked with at the various waystations of my editorial career. I will gladly recommend them below. I’ll also include links to their websites, as well as to sites of freelance editing groups—all consummate professionals.
I do not have any sort of financial arrangements with any of them—either for me to slip them potential clients or for them to recommend me for potential clients.
If you decide you need the services of a freelance editor, I suggest you check out their websites, do your homework, get a feel for who might be a good match for you, and call them to interview them. Shop around, as you would for any service—and don’t stop until you’re satisfied. It could make the difference between being a published author, or just another wanna-be writer with an unsold manuscript sitting next to your socks in your dresser drawer.
http://www.the-efa.org/res/rates.php
The Editorial Freelancers Association lists a handy ballpark rate chart on their website (posted 6/16/11).
http://wordsflyup.com/
Elizabeth Barrett and I never worked together, but we both shared a boss and friend in common--the late Carolyn Nichols, a wonderful editor in her own right. Elizabeth specializes in fiction, but also does nonfiction as well.
http://www.lobrutto.com/patrickj/html/index.html
I have known Pat LoBrutto for twenty-plus years. Although we have never worked for the same publisher at the same time, we have been on numerous panels at writer's conferences over the years. With over thirty years' experience as an editor in all sorts of genres, Pat is a top notch editor with a great eye for detail.
http://www.johnpaine.com/
I worked with John Paine at New American Library on numerous thriller novels. He's terrific with plot and characters, and a heck of a nice guy too.
rbeditorial.com
Rob Bloom was an editor at Doubleday for 16 years and has a lot of terrific fiction and nonfiction under his belt. Great guy, easy to get along with, and he will make your manuscript better.
http://www.bookcraftersllc.com/
I worked with Elizabeth Zack at Ballantine. She is incredibly good at prescriptive nonfiction, and taught me more than I care to admit about structuring a how-to book. Highly recommended, and also a sweetheart to work with.
http://www.jsfeditorial.com/
Jennifer Sawyer Fisher is yet another talented former colleague of mine--experienced in both fiction and non-fiction. Thoroughly professional and you'll enjoy working with her.
http://www.bookdocs.com/
An entire group of experienced freelance editors in virtually every genre of fiction and nonfiction. An incredible collection of editing talent!
http://www.fictioneditor.com
Ed Stackler was an editor in New York for many years before heading out to the Left Coast. He specializes in mysteries, thrillers and suspense fiction.
http://blisseditorial.com
I worked with Anna Bliss at HarperCollins and she is as patient and as knowledgeable as they come. If you read the testimonial quotes on her website, I can attest that they're all true!
As an editor, I frequently acquired novels that had terrific writing but flaws in story structure or pacing. You can’t teach good prose, but you can teach structure and pacing—the craft of writing as opposed to the art of writing. It’s the rewriting that’s the hard part—but that’s often the most rewarding, for that’s where problems get solved, and good writing is made better.
While I dearly love tearing a manuscript apart and helping an author put it back together better than before, the sad fact is that it is a very time consuming task. It isn’t really cost-effective for me to do that as an agent. But don’t fret—there is indeed help out there. There are many editors who have left the grind of corporate publishing who haven’t become agents. They became freelance editors. Authors pay for their services, and the fees can be somewhat modest to very expensive, depending on how much work needs to be done and who will be doing it. There are many excellent freelance editors out there, some of whom I have worked with at the various waystations of my editorial career. I will gladly recommend them below. I’ll also include links to their websites, as well as to sites of freelance editing groups—all consummate professionals.
I do not have any sort of financial arrangements with any of them—either for me to slip them potential clients or for them to recommend me for potential clients.
If you decide you need the services of a freelance editor, I suggest you check out their websites, do your homework, get a feel for who might be a good match for you, and call them to interview them. Shop around, as you would for any service—and don’t stop until you’re satisfied. It could make the difference between being a published author, or just another wanna-be writer with an unsold manuscript sitting next to your socks in your dresser drawer.
http://www.the-efa.org/res/rates.php
The Editorial Freelancers Association lists a handy ballpark rate chart on their website (posted 6/16/11).
http://wordsflyup.com/
Elizabeth Barrett and I never worked together, but we both shared a boss and friend in common--the late Carolyn Nichols, a wonderful editor in her own right. Elizabeth specializes in fiction, but also does nonfiction as well.
http://www.lobrutto.com/patrickj/html/index.html
I have known Pat LoBrutto for twenty-plus years. Although we have never worked for the same publisher at the same time, we have been on numerous panels at writer's conferences over the years. With over thirty years' experience as an editor in all sorts of genres, Pat is a top notch editor with a great eye for detail.
http://www.johnpaine.com/
I worked with John Paine at New American Library on numerous thriller novels. He's terrific with plot and characters, and a heck of a nice guy too.
rbeditorial.com
Rob Bloom was an editor at Doubleday for 16 years and has a lot of terrific fiction and nonfiction under his belt. Great guy, easy to get along with, and he will make your manuscript better.
http://www.bookcraftersllc.com/
I worked with Elizabeth Zack at Ballantine. She is incredibly good at prescriptive nonfiction, and taught me more than I care to admit about structuring a how-to book. Highly recommended, and also a sweetheart to work with.
http://www.jsfeditorial.com/
Jennifer Sawyer Fisher is yet another talented former colleague of mine--experienced in both fiction and non-fiction. Thoroughly professional and you'll enjoy working with her.
http://www.bookdocs.com/
An entire group of experienced freelance editors in virtually every genre of fiction and nonfiction. An incredible collection of editing talent!
http://www.fictioneditor.com
Ed Stackler was an editor in New York for many years before heading out to the Left Coast. He specializes in mysteries, thrillers and suspense fiction.
http://blisseditorial.com
I worked with Anna Bliss at HarperCollins and she is as patient and as knowledgeable as they come. If you read the testimonial quotes on her website, I can attest that they're all true!
