Post
by cw gortner » Tue October 21st, 2008, 7:01 pm
My personal experience is mixed. I hired a professional editor for my first manuscript after my agent at the time suggested it - but I had specific goals in mind, mainly to trim 200+ pages from it and de-purple my prose. I did get the edit done but the book still never sold.
For my second manuscript, which years later has been published as THE LAST QUEEN, I used the same editor. The edit was excellent, but again, the book didn't sell based on that edit. Indeed, it would be several more years and more edits on my own before that happened. I worked with a critique writing group to workshop certain sections; and then, when I got my current agent, did another lengthy revision based on her recommendations that eventually sold the book. In all, from completion of the first paid professional edit to my last revision before the sale, I'd say I revised QUEEN about five times.
The short of it is, hiring an editor is a very personal undertaking. First, you want to find someone who truly understands and gets your particular voice: fixing craft problems is one thing, and fixing the voice quite another. My opinion is that most writers be sure they know what they want from an editor before approaching one. A general look with a three-page follow-up to see if the story flows, if characters are realistic, etc. (and then you do the rewriting on your own)? A certain problem area you need to polish / revise? An in-depth examination of the work to determine its marketability? Be as specific as possible, because if not it can get very costly. If you're not sure yet (i.e., are simply looking for reactions to the story) you might do better with a writers' group where you can get constructive critique and save hiring an professional editor until you feel the ms. is absolutely at the best you can get it.
In any event, rest assured that professional editor or not, when you get an agent, they'll want changes before they submit. It's a very rare ms. indeed that an agent doesn't request edits on these days, given the marketplace.
My five cents, for what it's worth.
I had a good experience with my editor but in the end, most of the re-writing and revisions that sold the book I did on my own.
THE QUEEN'S VOW available on June 12, 2012!
THE TUDOR SECRET, Book I in the Elizabeth I Spymaster Chronicles
THE CONFESSIONS OF CATHERINE DE MEDICI
THE LAST QUEEN
www.cwgortner.com