[Help] Writing a book - edting service?

[Rugrat]

Bit of a long shot but you never know

I've led a pretty interesting (colourful?) life and I've been encouraged to write about it. I wasn't interested but running into a health roadblock I decided to put pen to paper. I'm nearly done and it'll be around 80,000 words so a decent size. But I'm pretty sure it needs some improvement, not spellcheck or grammar but just looked at by a 'professional' who can maybe make some elements more interesting, change some emphasis, or simply present some aspects of it differently.

There's loads of people offering editing services but it looks like a bit of a lottery, so I wonder if any NSC'ers have ever used such services or know of someone that they can recommend. A good sense of humour is essential!

Cheers

 

[Is it PotG?]

Finding someone who can spell 'editing' in the title might be a start.

 

[Cheeky Monkey]

Eastbourne-based published author Umi Sinha might be worth a look. She has a website, is an excellent critique, I’ve done several creative writing workshops with her. You’re looking at a few hundred quid and rising depending on how much of the content you want any editor to look at. One bit of advice you probably already heard, put it away for several months, then go back and look at it yourself with fresh eyes.

 

[dazzer6666]

Finding someone who can spell 'editing' in the title might be a start.

Doesn’t bode well for 80,000 words

 

[Ⓩ-Ⓐ-Ⓜ-Ⓞ-Ⓡ-Ⓐ]

I would say your best bet is to post it here and let NSC do it for you.

 

[Falmer Flutter ©]

My wife is a published author and also edits the occasional book. She has a shit sense of humor though. Drop me a message if you're interested and I'll send you her contact details.

 

[Sid and the Sharknados]

One bit of advice you probably already heard, put it away for several months, then go back and look at it yourself with fresh eyes.

Similar piece of advice - use the Read Aloud function in Word to listen to what's been written instead of reading it yourself.

 

[Greg Bobkin]

Bit of a long shot but you never know

I've led a pretty interesting (colourful?) life and I've been encouraged to write about it. I wasn't interested but running into a health roadblock I decided to put pen to paper. I'm nearly done and it'll be around 80,000 words so a decent size. But I'm pretty sure it needs some improvement, not spellcheck or grammar but just looked at by a 'professional' who can maybe make some elements more interesting, change some emphasis, or simply present some aspects of it differently.

There's loads of people offering editing services but it looks like a bit of a lottery, so I wonder if any NSC'ers have ever used such services or know of someone that they can recommend. A good sense of humour is essential!

Cheers

I've had 20+ years in the publishing game and edited everything from a 100-word news story to an 100,000-word thesis. Currently I spend half my time making other people's copy read properly and the other half my own ramblings!

The book editing process can be like opening a can of worms – and some people who charge by the hour will be looking to take advantage. Alternatively some are careful not to commit too much, in case the job ends up being much bigger than it is.

I'm more than happy to take it on, if you're interested. Drop me a PM and we can chat more.

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

Bit of a long shot but you never know

I've led a pretty interesting (colourful?) life and I've been encouraged to write about it. I wasn't interested but running into a health roadblock I decided to put pen to paper. I'm nearly done and it'll be around 80,000 words so a decent size. But I'm pretty sure it needs some improvement, not spellcheck or grammar but just looked at by a 'professional' who can maybe make some elements more interesting, change some emphasis, or simply present some aspects of it differently.

There's loads of people offering editing services but it looks like a bit of a lottery, so I wonder if any NSC'ers have ever used such services or know of someone that they can recommend. A good sense of humour is essential!

Cheers

Any teasers?

 

[Rugrat]

Any teasers?

I'd love to but not sure I'd know where to start. I'll give it some thought. Hopefully any wouldn't end 'you had to be there'