DON'T GET SCAMMED BY A FAKE EDITOR! | EDITOR Q&A PT. 1

[@krysteendamon630]

Another thing for developmental editing: find one that edits in your genre. The developmental editor needs to know the common tropes, cliches, story structure, and reader expectations for the genre they’re editing so most will only edit specific genres. I took the developmental editing course through the EFA last fall and the editing is pretty intense, but a lot of fun.

[@NataliaLeigh]

Krysteen Damon Yes! Great tip! Thanks for sharing. 😊 I’d love to take one of their developmental editing courses.

[@krysteendamon630]

@@NataliaLeigh I highly recommend the courses. Jennifer Lawler is the instructor, and she's awesome.

[@AndrewWatsonChangingWay]

Interesting to know that you, as a professional editor, hire others to edit your own writing. It's so hard to read our own writing. We know what we meant to say, and that can sometimes prevent us really reading what's on the page. I've told many students this, but few of them seemed to take my advice to have someone else read their work before handing it in!

[@unattributed1641]

This is probably one of the best videos I've seen on the editing process. I've also just watched another KZbinr's breakdown on their publishing expenses which was very informative (although I had the feeling that they were working on a bit of a shoe-string budget). Putting this video alongside the other video really makes for a good guide: a 10,000ft perspective, along with a nitty-gritty in-the-trenches perspective. I feel like with one hour of videos I've just taken a master class in publishing. I definitely look forward to part two of this video. And, I would like to voice my support for a video delineating the different types of edits.

[@audreyhenley8920]

YES! I've seen so many videos mixing up copyediting and proofreading. Thank you for helping clear this up.

[@TehBuggy]

This was super helpful, I feel like I don’t know much about the “what’s next” part of writing a book, so stuff like this is really useful! And as always, you explained everything so clearly and incredible 💜

[@chepan83]

Super helpful! Thanks for going over the red flags and pricing that we can expect when it comes to hiring an editor. I've actually been wanting to get into editing myself and I feel like it was also helpful for tips as a starting editor. Of course, I'm going to check out the other video that's specific for that too.

[@marahsoore6452]

Thank you for all of this! You've been so inspiring and all this information is really wonderful. I'm looking into becoming a developmental editor, and I love hearing about your editorial process.

[@tomaria100]

This is extremely helpful, Natalia. Thank you!

[@laurelwebb5608]

OMG, thank you for sharing all of this information! I'm still far from the point of hiring an editor, but hope to get there by the end of the year. I'll probably be rewatching this at some point!

[@MandiLynnWrites]

YES! Love this video! I think we all need this video haha

[@JoeyPaulOnline]

This was all very interesting! Good info to know! 💜💜💜

[@TheWriteNowMom]

Great video! Hiring an editor is something that I’ve been really nervous about, so this helps a lot.

[@brendawebb855]

Great video! Very helpful!

[@kaylaortz223]

Just got your book in the mail! Can’t wait to read it ! ❤️

[@authorgkray]

Hey, Natalia. Thank you for this info, it's put me in a better mindset about my books. I released my debut novel in 2018 after hiring an editor. It was my first time, and I did not know what I was getting into. My editor did not have an samples of the kind of book I wrote... This and other red flags made the whole experience upsetting for me. I know now to be more careful. I'm considering re-releasing the first book with changes made once its sequel is ready.

[@darktruth2358]

Thanks for everything you do. :)

[@amandacalling]

Really helpful information. Thanks!

[@crazysister1792]

I still need to schedule sending my second draft for you to take a look at

[@richardgale4827]

I used to be a journalist, I line edit as a job, I have a BA in English and an MA in Creative Writing, and I would not DREAM of submitting my writing for print layout without letting another editor's fresh eyes see it first.

[@bandicrawford2795]

Great video! I just thought I'd mention something to add, I hope that's okay and I'm saying because I don't want you to lose any money. I know you're American so I'm not sure the same applies, but in England, a deposit is refundable. Legally you must return a deposit, if you need it as a guarantee you need to call it a 'booking fee' here. It's weird but I've known a few people have problems losing money over this in the UK so thought I would post. I love your videos so much and I'm dying to read Pistol Daisy!

[@eriksmith2514]

The high fees freelance developmental editors charge leaves them without the credibility needed for an author to invest in them. Credibility as an editor comes through discrimination. The editor must have chosen to invest in the author's novel for a reason separate from the editing and its fee. In short, the editor must have chosen to edit the author's novel while declining to edit other people's novels and then have a stake in the success of the novel. An editor's honesty and skill alone cannot not justify the gamble because the author lacks the objectivity to judge the editing fully. The question, therefore, is not whether hiring a developmental editor will make the novel the best it can be--for the author does not know that--but whether the author is willing to gamble on hiring a developmental editor given the high fee. It's something to think about. After all, so many more freelance developmental editors exist in 2020 than before because many agents and publishers no longer do developmental editing as part of their investment in the novel.

[@whimsicalsky48]

Should you format before you have a cover designed or does it matter? I know they need final word count and many design covers before. My debut is currently being edited and I think it would be best to have it formatted so she can see if everything is correct, but I'm not sure if I should do a cover first instead.

[@motleyassortment5512]

How long does the editing process take, once work has started; from start to finish?

[@susanbuckminster282]

Thank you!

[@Bennythesupersnooper]

Hi Natalia, do I need to complete the whole novel before getting a beta reader? Are there people who would look at a chapter or two to see if my story is ok?

[@Sugarmama1805]

Is it a way to learn to do all 4 yourself

[@corkandi]

Great advice, thanks! Do you copy edit children's story books (not picture books, but with some pictures)?

[@Magicaltimes]

But what do I do if I've been scammed by an editor?

[@johnterpack3940]

So something like $1,500 to edit a book. That's pretty pricey. Have to sell a few hundred books to make that back.

[@crystalfontanez3740]

What type of freelance editor are you?

[@stebbigunn7690]

Pff, I dont even have full understanding of the language I write in.

[@elizalagonia1049]

I know Grammarly will never replace a copyeditor, but do you feel they are pretty good at helping deliver clean copy? I will hopefully be looking for a copy editor by summer to have the manuscript by October/November. It's a little daunting to look at the prices, but I know it's worth it to have a clean, professional book released.

[@Bennythesupersnooper]

Hi are you using the grammerly premium?

[@amitymiller9340]

Thank you for that important advice! I have a question, as I am interested to know how editors (specifically in the states) price their work. Is the price per word manuscript word count? Or is it per word edited? Or something completely different to both of those? Haha

[@amitymiller9340]

Also, 100% interested in seeing a more in-depth breakdown of the different types of editing!

[@crystalfontanez3740]

I wish you could be my critique partner

[@starrynightfall00]

Would an editor take on a story intended to be posted to Wattpad? Or would they laugh me away if I ask? I've always wondered about this but have felt too intimidated to ask one.

[@aurorasilverthorne]

It doesn't matter where you want to publish your book. If you hire an editor, their job is to edit the book, not pick where you get to publish your book. Don't be intimidated by others. Deciding to publish on a certain platform like Amazon or Wattpad is your right and choice as that book's author. You have nothing to be ashamed of and nothing to fear. Good luck with your book! 😃

[@MikeFrazee222]

It's sad you even had to make a video on fake editors.

[@aistis8859]

Lol I came here for video editing

[@nettie0376]

Such a helpful video!! Thank you! I would also LOVE another video on the breakdown of the different editing!

[@starrynightfall00]

Ohh!! This is great! You gave me a lot to think about :) I'm looking forward to part 2

[@reneebarrette4514]

This is gold, Natalia. Thank you so much!!!