Q & A for the BFF Editing Process :
Q - Why should I choose BFF Editing?
A - Stories are my passion! So I identify with those who want a quality reading or listening experience.
I also appreciate a writer's creativity, and the time and investment you've made to reach your goal of writing a book. I will treat your book baby, as well as your voice and feelings, with respect and care.
Your confidentiality and time are also respected at BFF Editing. I will work conscientiously to meet your deadlines and to help you polish your story till it shines.
I also appreciate a writer's creativity, and the time and investment you've made to reach your goal of writing a book. I will treat your book baby, as well as your voice and feelings, with respect and care.
Your confidentiality and time are also respected at BFF Editing. I will work conscientiously to meet your deadlines and to help you polish your story till it shines.
Q - I'm new to the publishing world. Where do I begin?
A - Editing is not a regulated profession, so we all do it and talk about it differently. In order to avoid confusion and miscommunication, I recommend taking some time to peruse this website for my explanations of editing stages, process, and terminology. And while you are here, check out the listings of website and topical resources like writing craft, hiring an editor, conscious language, etc. Feel free to reach out with inquiries via email or the Contact form.
Communication is the key. I need to have things in writing so I can go back and reference details as well as write out considered answers. But sometimes it is helpful to hear a person's voice. We can schedule a conference call either to assess our suitability as a team before we craft the course and style of what your particular project needs or to talk thing through after we've started the editing process.
Communication is the key. I need to have things in writing so I can go back and reference details as well as write out considered answers. But sometimes it is helpful to hear a person's voice. We can schedule a conference call either to assess our suitability as a team before we craft the course and style of what your particular project needs or to talk thing through after we've started the editing process.
Q - I'm a published author and have worked with editors. How are you different?
A - There are as many kinds of editors and styles of editing as there are writers and stories in this world. As you peruse my website and become familiar with my process and use of terminology, I hope you will find helpful information and get a sense of who I am as a person and a professional.
Contact me to discuss your project. You may know what you are looking for in an editor or have expectations for what an author/editor collaboration looks like. I need to know what your expectations and experiences are.
For instance:
Do you like your edits to come with a significant amount of instruction/explanation?
Do you prefer simple inline corrections or that I leave my suggestions in the comments?
You can let me know before or after I do a sample edit for you. After beginning the edits, I usually send the manuscript back for an early peek to fine-tune our process and calibrate the level and form of my feedback to suit your preferences.
Contact me to discuss your project. You may know what you are looking for in an editor or have expectations for what an author/editor collaboration looks like. I need to know what your expectations and experiences are.
For instance:
Do you like your edits to come with a significant amount of instruction/explanation?
Do you prefer simple inline corrections or that I leave my suggestions in the comments?
You can let me know before or after I do a sample edit for you. After beginning the edits, I usually send the manuscript back for an early peek to fine-tune our process and calibrate the level and form of my feedback to suit your preferences.
Q - Can I get a sample edit?
A - Absolutely. A sample edit helps us decide if we are a good fit. Hopefully we can then formulate a plan to make your wonderful story even better. (See my Sample Edit page for details.)
Q - What if I disagree with editing suggestions?
A - It is your responsibility as the author (especially in indie publishing) to ensure that the story looks and sounds the way you want it to. It is your name on the cover. You will make the ultimate decisions about how the story goes out into the world. I respect and applaud that.
I want to be as helpful as possible to your process and will try to accommodate your vision for how to improve your story. I will, of course, offer feedback, make suggestions, and explain what I think would make the message clearer, the story more engaging. Opinions, observations, and recommendations are based on my own ear, experience, and education, and I offer that feedback for the good of your story (i.e., which is what you've hired me to do - See my Dealing with Critique page).
I want to be as helpful as possible to your process and will try to accommodate your vision for how to improve your story. I will, of course, offer feedback, make suggestions, and explain what I think would make the message clearer, the story more engaging. Opinions, observations, and recommendations are based on my own ear, experience, and education, and I offer that feedback for the good of your story (i.e., which is what you've hired me to do - See my Dealing with Critique page).
Q - Will it be difficult?
A - Honing, polishing, and tweaking your message is definitely work. And having your writing scrutinized can be challenging. When you've put so much of yourself into a project, it's not fun to have someone point out ways it could be improved - no matter how kindly meant, constructive, or tactful the critique.
I find the collaborative process to be satisfying and hope you will too. Though editing is not easy, it can be rewarding and enjoyable with the right attitude and company. :) Authors should be prepared to roll up their sleeves and set their egos aside for the sake of creating a better experience for their audience, which ultimately means greater success as authors.
I find the collaborative process to be satisfying and hope you will too. Though editing is not easy, it can be rewarding and enjoyable with the right attitude and company. :) Authors should be prepared to roll up their sleeves and set their egos aside for the sake of creating a better experience for their audience, which ultimately means greater success as authors.
Q - OK, so what happens after the sample edit?
A - If it's a green light, I may ask you to fill out a New Client Questionnaire to give me more information about your writing, editing style, and experience.
We then hammer out the details of service, scheduling, and payment. If we won't be working together for a while, I'll send an invoice for the $100 nonrefundable deposit to hold your spot on my schedule. (See my Business Policies page for details.)
We then hammer out the details of service, scheduling, and payment. If we won't be working together for a while, I'll send an invoice for the $100 nonrefundable deposit to hold your spot on my schedule. (See my Business Policies page for details.)
Q - And then . . . ?
A - When we are coming up on the agreed-upon, scheduled work, I'll email to get last minute details like word count before sending out a contract for you to look over. You'll sign and send it back. Then I'll invoice you (minus the Hold My Spot fee).
I'll begin as soon as you've paid and sent me your manuscript in the standard format (see this article for help) either in a Word doc or as a pdf, depending on what service you've hired me to do.
How many rounds of edits - sending the manuscript back and forth between us - depends on the service, the book, and the timeline.
I'll begin as soon as you've paid and sent me your manuscript in the standard format (see this article for help) either in a Word doc or as a pdf, depending on what service you've hired me to do.
How many rounds of edits - sending the manuscript back and forth between us - depends on the service, the book, and the timeline.
See my Business Policies page for more details.
See my Dealing with Critique page for a helpful framing and perspective.
See my Services Overview page (with links to specific services) for descriptions of à la carte and package deals.
See my Calculations page for explanation of how fees are calculated.
See my Dealing with Critique page for a helpful framing and perspective.
See my Services Overview page (with links to specific services) for descriptions of à la carte and package deals.
See my Calculations page for explanation of how fees are calculated.
Contact me today if you have questions or think we might make a good team.
"The only people who think writing is easy are people who don't write. Writing's a difficult, courageous act. Bravery is required as well as a great deal of slogging along. A lot of our work is work."
- Gillian Roberts, Author -
- Gillian Roberts, Author -
Proudly powered by Weebly