By Rae Bittle, Managing Editor WATERmark
Studio & Publishing
CONGRATULATIONS! You have accomplished
your goal — to complete your manuscript. But wait . . . not so fast!
If your goal is to get your manuscript
book-ready, represented by an agent, and published — keep reading.
Bittle/
Novel Approach At this point,
your document is NOT ready for a professional edit until you are certain you
can present the best possible version of it to an agent. Let it breathe —
exhale — for several weeks. Understand your manuscript has become as close and
familiar to you as your nose is to your eyes. Now, read it again, take notes
and flag what now becomes glaring to your fresh set of eyes. REWRITE the
manuscript at least once, maybe twice. Now, the editorial process begins — a
necessity to turn your document into a manuscript ready for an agent’s eyes and
publication. Only when you have taken it as far as you can, will you get the
most for your money in hiring a freelance editor. Professional editors are NOT
all things to all authors or their work.
Understanding the editorial process and
services, which includes three customary editorial phases, will take you a long
way in this journey. Before you meet with and hire an editor, you need to know
what kind of help you need.
·
Manuscript or copy editing and proofreading are about fixing errors. Copy
editing and proofreading are separate line items.
·
Are you looking for developmental editing — “big-picture” feedback about
structure, style, pacing and voice?
·
Line edits point out specific things, which do not fit or work, from a reader’s
perspective. Going a step further . . .
Bittle/Novel
Approach At WaterMark
Studio & Publishing, we use an enhanced editing stage, which can preempt or
add another editing step, depending on the storyline complexity. This technique
leaves no stone unturned — “Beginning with the End in Mind.” Our approach
starts with reading the last chapter first, undressing the table of contents,
and a thorough read of the manuscript. This focus slants on traveling the TOC
route to ensure you transport me — your first, unbiased reader — to the
promised story ending. This approach facilitates the editing review and
furthers content development toward producing a complete, final manuscript.
Collaborating with an editor sheds new light on your work — making it possible
for you to see it from angles you have never imagined, capitalize on your
manuscript’s strengths and root out problems that might earn you a rejection
letter from your dream agent. Hiring a freelance editor is a significant
financial investment — one that can range from several hundred dollars to
several thousand, depending upon the kinds of editing you require, the editor’s
rate and the number of revisions/rounds of editing. As your editor, I want you
to get the most out of your money. I want to leave you feeling enlightened,
empowered and excited to be putting your book out into the world. I love
writing, and I love writers. I am also a writer. Nevertheless, some of what you
need to know to best utilize any professional editor can be difficult to hear.
I have been there, too. So, before you hire someone like me, it is only right
that you know the following:
1. Prepare for feedback, criticism and
direction.
2. Revision takes time.
Bittle/
Novel Approach It is a waste of time and money to hire
someone to copy edit your book before you have addressed developmental and line
edits. I get you. I can relate to your passion as a writer, nurturing your
work, your aspiration, and yes, your fear of birthing and letting go of the
“baby” you have carried for so long. Your writing is, after all, the sum of
your energy, time, work and heart. You come to editors with enthusiasm and
passion—qualities you indeed need in order to survive and persevere in this profession—and
we [editors] worry unloading too many difficult truths at once may dampen your
enthusiasm or intimidate you.
Question, “Do you only want to publish
this book, or do you also want to learn how to write better?” There is a
difference between the two. Let’s answer this question together.
______________________________________________________________________
In 2000, Rae Bittle founded WATERmark
Studio and Publishing, a full-service marketing communications firm operating
from Houston, Texas with a global reach. Today, the company’s reach spans
national and global industries and markets. In addition to owner and management
responsibilities, she serves as Managing Editor, directing creative and
editorial projects and business development. Rae studied Journalism and Public
Relations at Kent State University, Kent, Ohio, and later advanced to manage
communication roles in Fortune 500 companies, various industry segments and
government. Devoted to her passion for writing and editing, Rae continues to
work with many authors as editor, publisher and editorial consultant. Online
portfolio is available at https://remote.com/rae_bittle . “I love writing, and
I love writers. I am also a writer. I enjoy movies, home staging and interior
design, reading and photography . . . living life like its golden keeps me
alive.” For more information, and to discuss your editorial needs, please
contact Rae Bittle at
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