Hello again. I've just submitted the prologue as a bit of a taster to my book. It is in J.D's recent short story discussion in the forum. He's also uploaded some good stuff. Would really appreciate a professional editors viewpoint if you get a spare 5 mins. Don;t worry about punctuation, spelling etc just a general 'yep, that sounds ok' or 'go back to your day job'. Be harsh as well - it'll only help in the long run. Cheers
At 1:03pm on 19th September 2007, penfriendsuk said…
Hi, yep, that sums it up nicely thanks. Good to hear a bit of background about how you get new clients. I definitely agree with you about self editing. I reckon if you can;t get it near perfect yourself before showing a publishing house then they will spot it a mile off. I'll have to let you know about friends as editors when I receive my MS back. Should be any time soon but I asked them to rip it to shreds so I can piece it together. Maybe it is a bit hopeful to get a totally unbiased view though. I also have a wife of someone at work who I've never spoken to so maybe that will be the best feedback. Thanks
At 6:20pm on 18th September 2007, penfriendsuk said…
Hello AB,
I'm at risk here of shameless promotion (as the Lulu-ers would say), so I'll send you a message instead. How do you find having your friends as editors? Does it cause any stickiness? I have only worked on one MS for a friend (she lives in my village), and I found it really difficult to give her a proper critique...I had to fib and say I was too busy when she asked me again.
Hello again,
Hope you are well. Sounds like very good advice to me. I think if you go overboard and venture too far away from what people will be able to relate to you lose the reader a little. How do your get work. I have a manuscript which is being editing by several english teachers and a couple of editor friends of friends I have at the minute. Would you be interested in looking at any of my work and, if so, how do you charge / make a living from it? Cheers
At 2:51pm on 18th September 2007, penfriendsuk said…
Hey ho all.
I've been a freelance editor for almost two years, prior to that I worked in corporate media (boooooring). I work with all kinds of writers from all over the world; some are very talented and some are barely educated, which makes for interesting challenges.
My tip for successful sci-fi would be: the more original and dynamic your world; the more simple and linear your plot. Readers can only cope with so much information at once, there must be some way in which your reader connects to your story; if it is not through your world and characters, it must be through your plot.
I'd think of some more tips, but the siren call of uncorrected proofs is shrinking my ears...Best, Carlie.
Welcome to Creative Writing - we look forward to hearing your opinions on the info posted and, of course, anything you can add which may assist other budding authors.
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I'm at risk here of shameless promotion (as the Lulu-ers would say), so I'll send you a message instead. How do you find having your friends as editors? Does it cause any stickiness? I have only worked on one MS for a friend (she lives in my village), and I found it really difficult to give her a proper critique...I had to fib and say I was too busy when she asked me again.
Hope you are well. Sounds like very good advice to me. I think if you go overboard and venture too far away from what people will be able to relate to you lose the reader a little. How do your get work. I have a manuscript which is being editing by several english teachers and a couple of editor friends of friends I have at the minute. Would you be interested in looking at any of my work and, if so, how do you charge / make a living from it? Cheers
I've been a freelance editor for almost two years, prior to that I worked in corporate media (boooooring). I work with all kinds of writers from all over the world; some are very talented and some are barely educated, which makes for interesting challenges.
My tip for successful sci-fi would be: the more original and dynamic your world; the more simple and linear your plot. Readers can only cope with so much information at once, there must be some way in which your reader connects to your story; if it is not through your world and characters, it must be through your plot.
I'd think of some more tips, but the siren call of uncorrected proofs is shrinking my ears...Best, Carlie.