Vlog: My First Line Edit Experience

In this vlog, I discuss my first line 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. 

My line editor took approximately two weeks with my manuscript. When she was finished, she called me to discuss her notes and comments, her mindset being that A) if she just sent over the worksheet, I’d make my own assumptions about her comments and B) it would yield a more productive conversation than email. I really appreciated the phone call, and it was incredibly helpful for me to discuss everything with her. After we talked, she sent me her notes page as well as the comments within the manuscript. I spent about a month doing my revisions based on her comments, then she spent another two weeks doing more revisions, then I spent 10-12 days with my final revisions. She did one final search for a few grammar rules, then passed it along to the proofreader.

Thus far, line editing has been my favorite part of the editing process. It is not as extensive (nor does it feel as artistically painful) as content editing, and it is really fun as a writer to see your work go from just a story to a beautiful, fluid story. I learned so much from this experience, and I already know my writing craft has improved because of it.

Red Adept Editing

Subscribe to my YouTube channel

---

How have your editing experiences been? What advice would you give to authors preparing for their first round of edits?

Vlog: My First Content Edit Experience

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.

Red Adept Editing

Subscribe to my YouTube channel

---

How have your editing experiences been? What advice would you give to authors preparing for their first round of edits?

Vlog: How and Why I Chose My Editing Service

In my posts Which Kind(s) of Editing Does Your Novel Need? and 10 Ways to Find Editing Services on a Budget, some of you asked which editor/editing service I am using for The Cogsmith’s Daughter (Desertera #1) and how I found them. In this video, I finally answer that question!

For those of you who dislike watching vlogs or who are hearing impaired, here is a summary of this vlog.

In essence, I didn’t really know where to find an editor or editing service. I poked around the internet for a bit until finally one of my author friends suggested Red Adept Editing. After reading his novel to ensure that the editing quality was good as well as browsing the website and checking other authors’ testimonials, I signed up for my editing package of content editing, deluxe line editing, and proofreading.

You can learn more about Red Adept Editing on their site.

And as always, you can view/subscribe to my YouTube channel here.

Thanks for watching! Feel free to ask questions and share your own editing experiences in the comments section!