I made a commitment to go to an editor.
I’ve been putting this off. For over a year I have been self-editing and polishing my manuscript to make it good enough to show to an editor. I put a lot of work into it. My critique partner has read the book at least three times.
Still, I know that the manuscript has problems I can’t see. I know I’ll be devastated when I get the red smeared manuscript back from the editor.
I’ve been stuck. I’ve been putting off, stalling, getting an editor. It’s worst than writer’s block, it’s the fear of an editor rejecting me, or hacking my work to pieces. I’m asking to be hurt, it’s like I’m asking a stranger to be beat about the head and shoulders with a two by four. The only thing that will get bruised will be my ego, but it’s such a fragile, little, thing and it will hurt.
But I took the step. The step forward and approached an editor. Now if she doesn’t laugh herself silly when she reads my manuscript.
I’ve had professionals, authors, and people on the street tell me that you have to have your book edited. It’s something I have to do.
This step is going to cost me $1200.00 to $2000.00. And I’m paying that to have someone tell what’s wrong. But I’m doing this for the reader. I’m doing this as a professional, and I may never make back in book sales what it is going to cost me.
Incorporating the editor’s comments will cost me hours and hours that I will never get back.
So join me. Ask other authors which editors do they use. What experiences have they had with their editors. They will tell you. Many will be anxious to tell you about their editors and will even recommend their editors.
If you get a recommendation for a good editor it’s not all roses and sunshine. Editors are busy. The editor may not be able to get to your book for months. I almost guarantee it. The better the editor the busier they are. The editor may reject your work, not you, your work because it’s the wrong genre (I don’t do science fiction), it’s not the style of writing they edit, the level of writing is not up to the level it needs to be. I’ve seen all of these. It isn’t pretty. It’s devastating to the writer. On the other hand there are lots of hungry editors out there, but if you get feedback consider it, they may be right no matter how great your writing looks.
Boldly go and contact an editor. You will get feedback. Consider that feedback, embrace that feedback, use that feedback, they may be right.
Stay strong, write on, and go get an editor.
Professor Hyram Voltage