Editing / Proofreading Services

[mammamaia]

if you want to know whether your work is ready to be submitted, you can send me the first couple of pages and i'll give you detailed feedback, with suggestions on how to correct the flaws and upgrade the overall writing quality, if needed...

[thewordsmith]

The biggest problem most writers have with proofing their own work is familiarity. You know what you wrote (whether it comes out that way or not!) and so it is more difficult for you to actually see your own errors and typos. Also, the more literate a person is, the more likely they will not see typos. The literate brain tends to mentally correct the misspellings as you read.
Solution? Be prepared to take a little longer with your ms before you start sending it out. Put it in a drawer for a few months, try to forget about it and get on with another project. Stay focused on your new project. Then, next summer, pull out the old lms and give it a careful read. You know reading an electronic page vs a hard copy page is immensely different - print it out and keep the red pen handy.
Next, to avoid getting too involved in the story itself and not the words that comprise that story, (a little hint from an agent) toss those printed pages up in the air and pick them up completely out of order, then read them for proofing and typographical errors. You're more likely to read the words and not the story this way.
As far as grammatical errors, there is no secret panacea. You just have to learn your syntax and structure and be a careful reader.

[roadkilraven]

I started really focusing on writing as a career about two years ago, previous to that it was just a hobby. I finished a 40,000 word novel (my second), and thought it was a goldmine. I thought everyone would love it, and I'd be the next Stephen King! I did recognize that it needed editing, but didn't know where to begin. I figured I could just hire someone to edit it. I was wrong.

I put the first few chapters on forums like these, and got overwhelming negative feedback. "But my novel is amazing!" I thought. WRONG! It was nothing but pages and pages of info dumping, miss-placed words, run on sentences, and just appalling grammar. I would have cost hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars to pay someone to edit it for me, but then it really wouldn't still be my work would it?

Since then I've written several new books, not all of which are finished; but I've also spent a year focusing on editing. My work has improved dramatically. I recently opened up a book I wrote years ago, and laughed at how bad it was. I've also spend time in this forum, helping people edit their own work (which really helps me in the long run, as well as them).

My overall point is to keep practicing, then keep practicing some more. Everyone thinks or wishes that they're some sort of prodigy, but the truth is the real prodigies have just spent more time and effort into getting where they are than the amateurs have. Lastly, I haven't focused on editing my novels and short stories alone. When I post on forums like this I try to edit the grammar in my posts as well (I editing this one and found ten mistakes, probably missed a couple though). I also laugh when someone posts about how they don't think their grammar needs work in their manuscripts, but in their threads it's just appalling.

[ojduffelworth]

It appears the overwhelming response to using an editorial service is negative. I do not entirely agree.

Having others read over your work is clearly valuable. Otherwise we would not use this web sight for such a purpose.

I would divide an editorial service into two aspects.
1/ Proof reading: spelling, gramma, punctuation.
2/ Critiquing: suggestions for time lines, characterization, consistency, etc.
(I may not be using proof reading and critiquing in their proper manner, but I think you’ll get my drift)

Different editorial services vary widely in what they offer - in which aspect they focus on. Try to be clear with what you want.

Sure I think an aspiring writer needs to learn to edit their own work. If an editorial service assists one to learn how to do that, I think it’s valuable. If it is merely used as a lazy writers touch-up brush, and contributes nothing to their writing skills, then I would say it’s a waste of time.

As for the money, you don’t need to fork out a big lump sum. Don’t fork out anything to begin with! An editorial service should run through a sample of your work for free. If you find their input useful, and wish to continue with the service, then simply send a chapter at a time. Pay as you go. That way you are not handing over hundreds, not knowing what you’re going to get.
In the end, only you know what a good investment is for yourself, and what you are happy to pay. I wouldn’t let anyone make that judgment for you. Maybe $700 is your life savings; maybe it’s your afternoon salary...

If you use such a service, remember your work will probably still not be published. Does that mean it was a waste of time and money? Not necessarily. If it assisted you to become a better writer, great!

[love2listen]

my manuscript editor is my best friend from church. she is my mom's age and retired after years of teaching college English. you know how English teachers are - can't get anything past them. it is staggering how bad my use of language can be lol. I had no idea-I've been writing all my life!! she does mine for free because she is retired and has the time, loves to read writing, and my book is a memoir and she gives me a lot of advice and thoughts on the bad situation I got out of

I would tell you to find a retired teacher