Wow, it's been a while since I blogged about something that isn't Insecure Writer's Support Group. I want to apologize for my absence and ask that you all be patient with me for a little longer. You see aside from being generally lazy, I've spent the last few months doing Camp NaNoWriMo and also working on the final self edits for my first novel.
That's what I'm here to talk to you about today. You see I need your help. I'm fast approaching the end of any edits I can do for myself and soon I'm going to have to hand my WIP to a professional. The question is which professional. There are so many editing, cover making and formatting services out there that it gives me a headache just thinking about it. I've trawled through hundreds of web pages trying to get a handle on services vs pricing but nothing seems comparable. Some editors don't even offer the same kinds of edits.
I'm more than happy to pay for quality but without having used a service before I'm not sure what "quality" actually entails. That's where you guys come in. I know many of you have published before, some of you many times over. Are there any services that you could recommend to me? Bearing in mind that I've written a young adult dystopian novel set in Australia. I'm not even sure at this point whether I would prefer to use an Australian or an international editor so any suggestions you might have would be great. Thanks in advance.
We have a few listed at the IWSG site.
ReplyDeleteCheck with M. Pax, Susan Gourley, and Joy Campbell and see who they use.
Lan, I've suggested a very good editor to you. She lives in Australia, knows quite a lot about both speculative fiction and YA, has been writing and editing for years, even judged the children's section of the Aurealis Awards. She doesn't charge much, is willing to haggle and will give you a cheap sample edit of 2500 words to see how well you work together. If you decide against her, you'd at least have had the first part of your work edited.
ReplyDeleteI quite understand you'll want to shop around, but at least inquire? :-)
Glad to hear you've finally decided to brave the editing scene!
I don't know of anyone from Australia to edit--but that's probably a good idea for your book.
ReplyDeleteMy cover artist is Marie Landry (http://sweetmarie-83.blogspot.com/p/about-me.html--her email is listed here). She does exceptional work. I think she's up to 13 book covers that she's done so far and she's working on making it into an actual business. Most cover services can be quite pricey, so I'd definitely shop around for that.
My editor is Stephanie Parent (http://www.stephanieparent.blogspot.com/p/freelance-editing-services.html). She is from the US, but she still does amazing work, catches a lot of little stuff that gets missed. I also know of Mickey Reed (http://www.mickeyreedediting.com/p/freelance-editor.html), and even though I haven't used her personally, I have seen plenty of NA authors utilizing her services AND coming back again. So, she must be good.
I also have Marie format my book, but that's just because she's got the skills and I always make it worth her while. I also know of Cindy C. Bennett (http://cindybennett.blogspot.com/p/formatting-services.html). She does all sorts of formatting--I used her to format the print copy of If Only We, and that turned out so beautifully. She also does the e-book formatting, and for a reasonable price.
I think I got it all, lol. Hope it helps!! And WOOHOO!!! <3
I must admit, Edwina won't do your book formatting for you, but as she's also a small press(small press, not vanity!) publisher, she knows people who do. As for book covers, Australia is bursting with artist talent - we get plenty of them doing covers for Andromeda Spaceways Inflight Magazine.
ReplyDeleteSue, do you know how I could get in contact with these artist or where to find them?
DeleteI Lready sent you te link, but will do it again. :-)
ReplyDelete