This week, I’ve been responding to a lot of client questions related to publishing and book promotion; details involving the all-important book proposal, the query letter and publishing in general. It occurred to me that not every editor from every editorial service could fill the needs of my clients or those of most hopeful authors.
Oh my gosh, is there ever a difference in editors! First, if you have a book manuscript that needs editing, you must understand that an editor who works exclusively with business materials such as reports, in-house manuals, ad copy or who edits dissertations or web pages probably knows nothing about book editing. You might be surprised to discover how the inexperienced, non-book editor can mess up a manuscript.
Sure, a good editor is a good editor and any good editor can certainly catch grammatical, punctuation and syntax errors, for example. But, if he or she has no or little personal experience in the publishing field, there’s a great deal that this editor can’t do for you. She may not understand the concept of “reader-friendly” copy. He probably isn’t aware of current punctuation rules and how to handle dialog, for example. And he or she definitely cannot help you navigate the murky, competitive, shark infested publishing waters.
Just imagine how much more valuable an editor can be to your project if he/she is a published author who understands the publishing industry, who knows how to write a book proposal and a query letter, who is accustomed to approaching publishers and who has experienced self-publishing and book promotion over a period of years.
My clients come to me for help editing their manuscripts and organizing them or reworking them so that they are more reader-friendly. I can also help them write a more engaging query letter because I’ve been writing query letters for umpteen (well, 35) years. They can rely on me to help them formulate an effective book proposal. And they have to go no farther than my email address in order to get answers to their burning publishing and book promotion questions.
My suggestion to those of you seeking an editor for your manuscript (and that should be all of you who want to publish a book), make sure you get the most for your editing dollar. Choose an editor who is not only editorially sound, but who can guide you successfully throughout the entire publishing process.
Notes From Patricia Fry’s Office
I’ve been knee deep in query letters and book proposals for clients, lately. Sometimes I wonder how I can keep the details of each story straight. I’m not sure that I always do. And I’m working under a handicap this week. I tripped myself with a rolling stick while speed-walking down a hill Sunday and skidded palms first on the pavement. Ouch! I sprained my right wrist badly enough that I can’t wash the iron skillet or take out the trash, but I can still type. YES!!! I’m also impaired when it comes to styling my hair, so I have an excuse for looking a bit rough around the edges (and for spending more time writing). Vacuuming, sweeping and raking are definitely out this week.
I have a booth at the Ventura Book Festival Saturday and I’ve figured out that I can put my books in canvas bags. I’ll be able to lift them with my left hand out of the car and into an empty box placed on my wheelie dealie. I may have to make several trips, but I know I can manage on my own.
Come visit me at the SPAWN booth Saturday, July 26, 2008 at the Ventura Book Festival at the Crowne Plaza in Ventura (near the pier) from 10 until 4. I’ll be promoting SPAWN (Small Publishers, Artists and Writers Network) and my own books and editorial/consulting services. Learn more about SPAWN at http://www.spawn.org
Visit my website: http://www.matilijapress.com For a great chapter on “Self Editing” order my book, The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book. http://www.matilijapress.com/rightway.html
Contact me at PLFry620@yahoo.com