Unleashing the Editing Beasts: A Hilariously Dark Guide to Taming Words
Ah, the enchanting world of book editing! A realm where grammar battles rage, punctuation duels unfold, and words are tamed like wild beasts. Brace yourself as we embark on a wickedly funny journey through the untamed wilderness of editing, where sarcasm, dark humor, and witty banter reign supreme.
Hunting Down Editors
Finding an editor can be as treacherous as navigating a labyrinth inhabited by word-obsessed creatures. Here are a few cunning ways to track them down:
-Freelance Websites: Enter the den of freelance editors on Upwork, Freelancer, or Reedsy, where the hunt for the perfect editor begins. But beware, not all who claim the title of “editor” possess the necessary skills.
-Online Directories: Explore the mystical directories of the Editorial Freelancers Association (EFA) or the American Society of Journalists and Authors (ASJA) to uncover hidden gems.
-Referrals: Seek recommendations from fellow authors, for they hold the secrets to uncovering elusive editors.
-Social Media: Wander through the virtual wilderness of Facebook, LinkedIn, or Twitter, where the elusive editors roam. Engage with writing communities and hope they reveal the sacred names of these creatures.
Paying the Editing Toll
Prepare to part with your precious coinage as you venture into the realm of professional editing. Here’s a glimpse of the costs involved:
-Developmental Editing: Delve deep into your coffers, for this service can range from $0.03 to $0.15 per word, or demand a mighty sum of $500 to $5,000 for an entire manuscript.
-Copy Editing: This enchanting service will set you back around $0.01 to $0.05 per word, for the editors shall correct your grammar and punctuation misdeeds.
-Line Editing: Prepare to offer up more gold coins, as line editing may demand $0.02 to $0.08 per word for its mystical powers of refining language and sentence structure.
-Proofreading: The final check before your book is set free can cost between $0.01 and $0.03 per word, allowing the proofreaders to banish pesky errors from your pages.
The Epic Editing Quest
Embark on a grand adventure as we navigate the treacherous editing process:
-The Initial Consultation: Speak with your potential editor and hope they don’t demand a blood sacrifice for their services. Discuss goals, timelines, and the alignment of the celestial writing forces.
-Sample Edit: Pray the editor offers a sample of their sorcery, allowing you to assess their compatibility with your style. Beware of those who sprinkle your pages with too much red ink!
-Contract and Payment: Enter into a sacred contract, detailing the scope of work, fees, and the rules of engagement. Sign it with a quill dipped in the tears of past authors.
-The Editing Ritual: Collaborate closely with your chosen editor, incorporating their feedback and suggestions. Brace yourself for soul-crushing critiques and revel in the brilliance that emerges from the editing cauldron.
-Review and Finalize: Unleash your eagle-eyed scrutiny upon the edited manuscript, ensuring your voice remains intact amidst the edits. Discuss the final changes with your editor while chanting ancient incantations.
-Proofreading: Enlist the assistance of a proofreader, a guardian angel who shall scour your pages for lingering typos before your work sees the light of day.Taming the Literary Beasts: Unleash your knowledge of the different editing beasts and their magical powers:
-Developmental Editing: The wise sorcerer who enhances plot, characters, and narrative flow. They shall guide you through the darkest corners of your manuscript.
-Copy Editing: The grammar knights who battle typos, punctuation crimes, and inconsistency in style. They shall wield their red pens with precision and wit.
-Line Editing: Masters of language who refine your sentences, slaying wordy dragons and banishing the demons of poor structure. They shall transform your prose into a thing of beauty.
-Proofreading: The guardians of the final frontier, they scour your pages for lingering errors, ensuring your book emerges polished and pristine.
The Editor’s Lair
The Editor’s Lair: Necessity or Mere Mortal’s Fancy? Do you dare enter the realm of the editor? Discover whether their magical touch is crucial for your publishing or self-publishing journey. Venture forth and seek the answers within your own writer’s soul.
FAQs: Prepare for a comical twist on frequently asked questions about the eccentric world of book editing:
-Are there any free editing software options available? Well, brace yourself for the wizards of Grammarly, Hemingway Editor, and ProWritingAid. But remember, they possess mere sparks of the true editing magic.
-How much do editors change your novel? Editors possess the power to transform your book, but the extent of change depends on your willingness to embrace their sorcery. Brace yourself for a spellbinding journey!
-How much do novel editors charge? The cost of the editor’s magic can range from $0.01 to $0.15 per word or demand a princely sum. Prepare to sacrifice a portion of your royal treasury for their services.
In this whimsically dark guide, we’ve traversed the murky terrain of book editing, encountered mystical creatures of editing prowess, and uncovered the secrets of navigating this bewitching realm. Remember, while editing may be a challenging journey, it is one that can elevate your work to new heights. Embrace the editing beasts, wield your pen with courage, and let your words shine with brilliance!
How much does book editing cost
Try this article on how to find an editor without getting ripped off:
Where to find a book editor?
Try this link, it’s a good breakdown of how to chose a good editor you can trust.
Do you really need a book editor?
Maybe not! You should definitely use some free writing and editing software anyway, and do everything you can to improve your book before seeking help.