In this vlog, I discuss my first content edit experience with The Cogsmith’s Daughter (Desertera #1), including: a brief overview of the process, the kinds of comments I received, and how I feel about the experience in retrospect.
For those who dislike vlogs or who are hearing impaired, here is a summary of this video.
First, Lynn, the owner of Red Adept Editing, called me to discuss the entire editing process, which was both informative and comforting. Next, Lynn passed my manuscript along to the first available content editor. I got my manuscript back within a week–a surprisingly short amount of time. The content editor went through my manuscript checking for plot holes, character development arcs, dialog issues, etc. The editor then provided me with several pages of notes as well as (hundreds of) comments within the manuscript itself.
On one hand, this process was terrifying, but on the other, I learned so much about myself as a writer, and I know my craft is significantly improved. A takeaway point? Listen to your editor. S/he is there to help you. The criticism will be tough to take, but it’s what you’re paying for and will help you learn. If you don’t want to hear it, just give your manuscript to your mom or spouse or friend and let them tell you how brilliant you are for free.
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How have your editing experiences been? What advice would you give to authors preparing for their first round of edits?
Kate M. Colby 
Man you have great friends because mine got some comments about my manuscript and some critics. =)
Great video.
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Thank you!
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Great to “see” you! And good vlog. Actually, it’s a major compliment that I even watched this – I hate watching video or audio (would much rather get the info in print; it’s so much faster to assimilate). But I really wanted to know about the content edit, so I watched! Good job. 🙂
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I am honored! And thank you for the feedback. It’s nice to know whether or not people like the video/audio format. I’ll be sure to include little summaries in the future so you don’t HAVE to watch, and I will try to keep them at five minutes or less in case you do. 🙂
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Kate! Thanks for sharing! I have that same voice in my head telling me I know what I’m doing and its terrifying having someone look over your plot. I mean, spelling and grammar you can fix but to find major plot issues is terrifying! I am wondering, if I may ask, was your content editor expensive? To have someone do separate content and grammatical editing can get pricy…but as I am looking at republishing The Curious Tale of Gabrielle under Putrescent Oak Press, I will be able to have it edited a little more thoroughly.
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Zach, if you go to Red Adept Editing’s website, you can see their price list. They have a la carte options by editing type, as well as package prices. The prices depend on word count, so it varies by novel. While it was a fair chunk of change, my entire editing package was roughly half the price of the estimates I compiled from freelance editors for only one or two of the services I received.
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Wow. Thanks kate! I will absolutely look into it.
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Great! I highly recommend them so far. I’ve still got the line edit and proofread to go, but I’ll be sure to let you know how they turn out.
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Yes. Absolutely keep me posted.
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