Editor Interview with Jaclyn Ann Lee

Jaclyn Ann Lee was born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio. In 2007 she graduated from the University of Cincinnati with an Associate's Degree in Liberal Arts with a concentration in Social Sciences and Humanities. Currently she is enrolling in Southern New Hampshire University where she plans to complete her Bachelor's Degree in English and Literature with a concentration in Creative Writing. Jaclyn has been deeply passionate about literature her entire life and recently found the courage to pursue her lifelong dream of becoming an author and an editor. Her name and face are still fresh to the industry but she has been received with high regard by her fellow industry professionals and those who have chosen to work with the new editor. She is working as a freelance editor, with two completed professional jobs and many more booked for the upcoming months. Her developing Indie company, Darling Willow Creative, is currently in the works and will be used as the label under which she publishes her own work, as well as offers her freelancing services.

What type of stories do you most enjoy editing?

I am not biased when it comes to the type of story I edit, provided I do not find the harmful to the public or it does not go against my personal morality. I love all genres of literature, for each have their own charm and appeal characteristic of the style. As I reader, again I do not have a preference, though I do tend to favor fantasy, horror, and classical literature.

Do you work for a company or are you a freelance editor?

I am a freelance editor currently, working from my own rates and guidelines. Someday it may be nice to be a part of a company, but for now I am happy with the position that I am in. I do, however, work for an online literary magazine, The Oddville Press, as a volunteer editor. I love it! 

What book are you most proud of having edited?

As of this interview I have completed two professional novel edits (with more booked), and while I cherish each and every one of the authors I work with equally, I am proud of the first job I obtained. After reaching out to the good people on the public forums of Good Reads, a new author approached me with the opportunity to edit her debut novel. I am incredibly grateful for the chance she took with me, as she only had my passionate self-description and desperate pleading to use as reference. I enjoyed my first experience immensely! She is a fabulous person and author, and if it were not for her kind words I would not be experiencing the overwhelming success I am today.

What does your editing process look like from start to finish?

When I begin editing a manuscript I insist on doing a read through first so I can gain a better understanding of the author and the story he or she has bled from their heart and souls to share with literature enthusiasts. I believe that you have to understand the author, the plot, and the characters (if a fiction piece) to be able to deliver a successfully edited manuscript. I discuss what kind of editing the author would like, whether it's basic proofing or detailed line-by-line editing, the turnaround time they hope to have the edits received, address any concerns or questions, and do what I can to earn their trust and prove that I am qualified to edit their piece. I offer sample edits at the beginning so they may see how I work. It's important that I establish some sort of relationship with my clients, so they do not feel that they are just another job. They are more than a job to me. Once I understand the needs of the author and their story, and once I have delivered a satisfactory sample edit, I use Microsoft Word tracker so they can see a side-by-side comparison of what changes I suggest. I add side notes to many of the edits so they understand why I have suggested the change, and often tell them the phrases I love, my feelings on a particular passage (good or bad), and offer more than just a critical analysis. As a reader I like to point out more than just the mistakes; I like to point out the things that I enjoy. Once I have finished the edits I deliver them to my client and ask that they take the time to read through what I have done and let me know if there is anything there are not happy with. I try to do a final read through to make sure everything is sound for publication.

Are you rates affordable for Indie authors?

Absolutely! At this point in my career I am looking to build a reputation through a list of clients who enjoy working with me. My credibility is more important than breaking anyone's bank. My authors will tell you that I work hard to find a price that works for them. I do have set rates, but I am always willing to negotiate. I will not turn away an author simply for monetary reasons.

How do you decide your pricing? 

I base my pricing off of the type of editing requested, as well as the length of time it takes for me to complete the editing process. I wish to offer the best edits at competitive pricing and therefore will always discuss what the author is able to pay.

What are some of the typical mistakes you see writers make?

Punctuation, run-on sentences, confusion of tense, and passive voice seem to be the most common mistakes. I often find that while authors know what they want to convey in their minds, it doesn't always translate to paper. That's where I come in! Some authors know what they want to say but they aren't sure how to say it. I also find what I call "phantom objects", which are items used in the scene that seem to come out of nowhere.

Do you have any advice for new writers?

Believe in yourself and your ability. If you aren't going to believe in yourself, who else will? Don't take no for an answer and don't allow anyone to make you feel as though you can't be successful in the industry. If writing is what you are truly passionate about, NEVER give up! Passion is the most important ingredient in the recipe for success in the industry. Every book you write may not be a best seller, but that doesn't mean it's not exceptional in it's own way. When you aim I write a novel, write about things that you are interested in. Indifference regarding a subject matter comes across clearly to a reader if an author is writing just for the sake of writing. Write for yourself, and write from the heart.

What do you think makes a good editor?

A good editor will have excellent punctuation, grammar, spelling, obviously. It couldn't hurt if the editor is a writer as well, or perhaps even an avid reader. That makes the editing more enjoyable and more personal than someone that is simply looking to make a quick buck and who happens to be skilled with grammar. Above all things an editor should listen to their author and consider their feelings above all other things. Listen to your client, address any concerns or desires they may have. Get to know the author as a person and offer yourself for open communication whenever they may need to contact you about anything. Never try to change an author's writing style and when you suggest changes do so because it is what is best for the author and the book--not for you. Always keep your client and their feelings in mind. Don't think of the author as simply someone to make money off of. They trust you with the manuscript that they have poured their heart and soul into and often their writing feels like their children. They wouldn't trust their children with just anyone, and so it's your job to take good care of their precious words.

When you're not editing what do you like to do?

When I am not editing I am usually writing or reading. My desire to be a part of this industry stems from my love of literature, and therefore I immerse myself within the world as much as possible. I also love music and movies (especially Old Hollywood classics). I'm a pretty big nerd so I love video games, science fiction, and astronomy. I am currently learning about table-top gaming, which I find incredibly interesting! I enjoy cooking and baking, being active outdoors, and visiting museums and local hotspots. I love football and baseball (go Cincinnati!!!).

You can find the two novels I have edited on Amazon for download, and I highly recommend them to anyone! I endorse these books not just because I worked on them, but because I believe in them and the author.
 

Look for the debut novel, "Root Song", part of the Natural Wonders Saga by Anna Edwards.
and "Speak Tenderly to her" by Ruth E. Griffin.
 

Also stayed tuned for the publication of "Death of Winter", written by talented new author Lori-Anne Sparks, set to be released in August. 

 

Email- jaclynalee@outlook.com
Facebook- https://m.facebook.com/JaclynAnnL24

Twitter- @jaclynalee

Personal website- Currently developing 

Editor Interview with Teresa Kennedy

Teresa Kennedy is an author, editor and publisher with more than 25 years experience in the publishing industry. An author or co-author of more than 30 published books, including fiction and non-fiction, she has also run an independent newspaper and published a variety of short stories and articles in publications around the world. She has served as a senior editor, acquisitions editor and consulting editor for a variety of publishers, agents, and book packagers both here and abroad.


What type of stories do you most enjoy editing? 

I have to say my first love is literary fiction, but I’ve also written over 30 books under various pseudonyms, all of them genre based, so I’m pretty well-acquainted with a whole range of styles and genres. I would have to say what I most enjoy are books that bump their genre up a notch and offer a different or unusual take on the formula.

What other books have you edited?

Literally hundreds. I come out of traditional publishing as a senior editor and acquisitions editor, so over the course of the past 25 years have worked with some great (and not so great) writers.

Do you work for a company or are you a freelance editor?

 I have my own company, Village Green Press which offers a whole range of services for independent authors. I also publish a select number of titles but have to stress we are NOT a so-called vanity press! If something’s not right for us, I’ll do my best to help the author self-publish or otherwise find a home for their work.

What does your editing process look like from start to finish?

 First, I do a read-through because it’s very difficult to just jump in and start editing “cold” without being familiar with the story. I make notes along the way or problems or discrepancies or simply places where the pacing lags or the narrative might be stronger. Then, depending on the level of editing the author has asked for I get down to the nuts and bolts; and finally offer a half hour consultation if there are any questions or problems.

Are your rates affordable for indie authors?

 I certainly hope so. I don’t charge what an amateur editor would charge because I’m not an amateur, but at the same time, I try to be sensitive to an author’s needs and budget and give them the best bang I can for their buck!

How do you decide your pricing?

 I use the Editorial Freelancer’s Association guide.

What are some of the typical mistakes you see writers make?

 I did a funny blog post on that awhile back, but truly I don’t think there’s such a thing as a “typical” mistake. Every book is different and every writer is different. I have certain editorial pet peeves, of course. One is to include a scene or passage of dialogue that doesn’t do anything to move a story forward. Another is what I call the “disembodied body parts,”  It is an unwritten rule of editorial thumb that unless you’ve authored some sort of zombie apocalypse, body parts should not react independently of the characters they’re attached to. “Her head swiveled at Alfonse’s entrance, as her chest heaved” might mean anything from torrid attraction to something out of “The Exorcist,” but unless we know the parts are indeed attached to the character in question, we have no way of discerning just what Milady’s reaction to Alfonse might consist of. 

What should a writer expect (or not expect) out of an editor?

Because we live in a point-and-click world, many writers seem to feel that you can edit 100,000 words in 24 hours. I suppose it can be done, but that doesn’t mean it can be done well. Good editing is like good writing. It takes time, thought, and care.

What do you think makes a good editor?

Someone who really understands fiction craft and good writing. Someone who cares about the quality of your work as much as you do. Above all somebody who understands that it is not an editor’s job to change your story; it’s the editor’s job to help you tell it more effectively. 

When you’re not editing what do you like to do?

Write, cook, read and garden.

http://villagegreenpressLLC.com

https://www.facebook.com/teresa.kennedy.5249

https://twitter.com/editorialgirl53

Indie Books Read: May

Here at Phantom Owl we support indie authors. We've asked book bloggers to share their indie book reviews with us, and at the beginning of every month, we're going to share with all of you the wonderful books they've suggested. We hope to not only bring attention to indie books, but also to promote the bloggers that are taking the time to read and review them.

The list includes books of all genres.

Books are arranged by rating.

Ravensdale by Lucinda Elliot
April Books Rating - 5 Stars
Goodreads Rating - 4.62 Stars


"Overall this was a fun read, and I’d recommend it to anyone who enjoys historical romance, or who are looking for a break from the YA genre" - April Books









Six Moon Summer by SM Reine
Bookwryming Thoughts Review - 3.5 Stars
Goodreads Rating - 3.83 Stars

"Six Moon Summer was an interesting story, yet a not so interesting story. The story mainly focuses on Rylie's transformation from a human to a werewolf at a summer camp, with the prologue giving a flash forward." - Bookwryming Thoughts

22 Leadership Fundamentals: the Door to Success Says Push! by Alison Vidotto
The Good, the Bad, and the Bizarre Rating - Good
Goodreads Rating - 4.83 Stars

"We found this to be a very good introduction into the world of self-help and leadership books." - The Good, the Bad, and the Bizarre

A Letter From Hell by William Presley
The Good, the Bad, and the Bizarre Rating - Bizarre
Goodreads Rating - 4 Stars

"All in all, this is a good way to spend an afternoon when, like us, you occasionally hunger for a thrill and a scary page-turner. Horror fans will not be disappointed." - The Good, the Bad, and the Bizarre

Beyond the Rails by Jack Tyler
The Good, the Bad, and the Bizarre Rating - Good
Goodreads Rating - 3.88 Stars

"This book single-handedly convinced us to reconsider our dislike of Steampunk." - The Good, the Bad, and the Bizarre

The Pericles Conspiracy by Michael Kingswood
The Good, the Bad, and the Bizarre Rating - Good
Goodreads Rating - 3.71 Stars

"There’s enough in here that you could read it a couple times over and discover new things every time. Like all books it has its flaws, but it does a great job of presenting its strengths first." - The Good, the Bad, and the Bizarre





See what books were suggested by bloggers in April.

If you are a blogger who would like to contribute to the "Indie Books Read: June" post, you can do so HERE. Reviews submitted must be for books read in June of 2014, must be self-published or  published by an independent or small press (like Phantom Owl), and must be added by the reviewer not the author. You can add a review for a book that we've already featured, but cannot submit the same review twice.


How can we improve this post? Let us know, leave a comment. 

Editor Interview with Victoria Shockley

Victoria Shockley is a writer and editor, an avid reader of fiction, and a senior at North Carolina State University in Raleigh. She’s majoring in English with a concentration in language and writing and will be graduating in May of 2014, a year ahead of her class. She's proud to have a GPA that falls within the top 7% of the senior class at NCSU, and she's made the Dean's List every semester of her college career. In January of 2013, she was named Student of the Month for the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. Currently she works virtually as a self-employed freelance editor. She launched her business in the summer of 2012; since then she's edited manuscripts of all genres for dozens of clients, both international and domestic. In addition, she also works as a Public Relations and Communications Assistant for Stephanie Wolf PR, based in New York City. During her senior year of high school, Victoria wrote The Elevator, her first novella, published by Wandering in the Words Press. Aside from work and school, she enjoys dance, yoga, and modeling.

Do you work for a company or are you a freelance editor?

I'm a self-employed freelancer.

What book are you most proud of having edited?

Honestly, I don't have a sole favorite that I've edited. I put my best work into each manuscript I receive, and I'm proud of all of them. I'm also glad to help authors take one step closer to their goals of being published. However, I am proud that even though I'm still in school, I can provide the level of quality editing that allows me to work with distinguished writers such as New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Colleen Gleason, who's published roughly twenty novels.

What type of stories do you most enjoy editing?

I'm happy to edit all genres of fiction and nonfiction, but I personally enjoy reading romance and sci-fi.  

Are your rates affordable for indie authors?

Definitely! I've worked with many indie and first-time authors, and they've found my rates to be very affordable for their budgets. In fact, the last author I worked with, Kingsley Osuala, wrote me a testimonial saying, "The quality edits I received would have cost me 5-10 times more had I used a local book editing service.  She is truly a treasure and has made my dream of publishing a novel closer than ever.  Absolutely amazing!"

How do you decide your pricing?

Because every manuscript is different, I base my rates on each specific project. When I receive an editing inquiry, I ask the writer to send me a five-page sample so I can determine how much editing it will need. Using that plus the word count, I determine a competitive, affordable price for each project.  

What other books have you edited?

A lot! You can check out a list here, which includes links to books I've edited that have been published: http://victoriashockleywrites.wordpress.com/work-samples/.

What are some things you think writers should look for/be wary of when hiring an editor?

Writers should always ask for a sample edit before hiring an editor so they can see exactly what style and level of editing will be performed on their manuscript. I would be wary of an editor who isn't willing to edit a short sample, but I haven't yet met an editor who doesn't offer that service, so I wouldn't expect writers to run into that problem often. Also, writers should read the testimonials page if the editor has one of his/her website to get an idea of what past clients have thought of the editor's finished work.

Do you have any advice for new writers?

I would advise that new writers work hard to grow their networks on social media platforms like Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook. Creating an online presence and forging relationships with people this way helped tremendously when I was just starting out, and even now I get emails and leads from people who found me on LinkedIn and Twitter. For authors, it's also helpful to be active on other sites like Smashwords and Goodreads.

How do you feel about serial commas, and why?

I support using them, and I will add them into a manuscript unless an author requests that I leave them out. I know it's become a controversial grammar subject, but I grew up using them and feel that sentences make more sense when the serial comma is in place.

When you’re not editing what do you like to do?

I love dance, yoga, and modeling. I'm a bit of a fitness junkie, and most weeks I work out five of the seven days!

https://twitter.com/Victoria_Writes
www.linkedin.com/in/victoriashockley/
http://victoriashockleywrites.wordpress.com/

Editor Interview with Melissa Andriana McKay

I’m Melissa Andriana McKay, owner of Andriana Editing. I’ve always been a reader, rarely without a book nearby, but had never considered editing until a friend suggested it and suddenly I found a career to be passionate about. I’m a major grammar nerd and delight in finding typos on signs around town (most recently at Wal-Mart: “If you park your vehicle and the leave the propert at any time, you will be ticketed and/or towed away at owners risk and expense”).

What type of stories do you most enjoy editing?

I enjoy editing sci-fi / adventure books because it is one of my favourite genres to read so, when editing in this genre, it often takes the “work” out of working.

What other books have you edited?

I’ve also edited YA and romance books, including Young Annabelle, Always Wanted, The Last, and Ghost God. On top of novels, I edit academic papers (including Master’s and PhD theses), business plans, website content, and any other type of text that needs to be polished.

Do you work for a company or are you a freelance editor?

I’ve been a freelance editor since 2008.

Are your rates affordable for indie authors?

I charge $3/pg for full-service editing with rush services available at an additional cost. To some this may seem high, but to others it seems like a bargain; it all depends on how much you plan to invest in making your manuscript into a masterpiece. Some editors out there charge mere pennies per page and promise super-quick turnaround times, but I want to put as much love and care into the editing as you put into the writing.

How did you decide your pricing?

I spent a long time skulking about on other editors’ websites to see what they charged and what they offered. As I edged into the industry, I threw out some tentacles to determine what rate felt right to both myself and my clients.

What things should a writer have done before contacting an editor?

Please, please, please read your work at least once (if not several times) before going to an editor. This will save you money and the editor time.

How do you feel about serial commas, and why?

I am a definite advocate of serial commas because it makes writing so much clearer. For example, “I went to the store with my two friends, a teacher and a doctor.” Did you go to the store with four people? Or are you explaining that one of your friends is a teacher and the other is a doctor?

When you’re not editing what do you like to do?

I love to travel, and I’m an avid knitter. Anyone need a scarf?

Melissa McKay | Andriana Editing
        www.AndrianaEditing.ca

Editor interview with Eileen Proksch

 I'm 23 years old, I love reading, writing and everything books. I've studied English and History for about three years and I work as as freelance editor since 2013. If I'm not editing, reading or writing I'm probably watching a TV show. Not only do I buy too many books but also too many DVDs and CDs. I'm still waiting for the day when Amazon's one-click option ruins my life.


What type of stories do you most enjoy editing?
I'm a romance, NA, YA and chick lit reader, so that's what I enjoy most when editing.

Do you work for a company or are you a freelance editor?
I'm a freelance editor.

What book are you most proud of having edited?
I think I'm most proud of Changing His Game by Justine Elvira. It's such a great book. I enjoyed editing as much as reading it.

What does your editing process look like from start to finish?
I offer sample edits for authors so that would be the first step. I send the edited sample back to the author with an exact price. As soon as I start editing it takes about 6-10 days, always depending on how much editing needs to be done, the word count, how much I have to do. I edit the book, including comments when there are issues with the time frame, characters, plot, etc. When I send the edited MS back to the author I include a longer comment with advice here and there. When the author went through the whole MS once again they send it back to be for the final proofread. I'm always open for discussions with authors, brainstorming, and trying to make the book as best as it can be.

Are your rates affordable for indie authors?
Yes, totally. I'm always open for discussion when an indie author needs my help and they have a tight budget. My prices aren't set in stone.

What things should a writer have done before contacting an editor?
For me it's important to know how far they are with their writing process and if they set a rough word count. Most authors expect a price when contacting me but I can't give that if I don't know how much words there will be approximately. It doesn't matter whether there are 5,000 words more or less in the end, I can match the price to that. But to give them a rough price I need to know how much editing needs to be done and the word count. I offer free sample edits for that.

What should a writer expect (or not expect) out of an editor?
They should expect that their book is ready to be published after the final edit or proofread. And advice! I don't wanna change an author's work, I wanna help them make it better. So I give them advice but what they do with it that's totally up to the author. And I make that clear from the beginning. I'm an honest person and I think it's really important to not sugar coat things. The book will hopefully be read by a lot of people and it should be as good as it can be.

Do you have any advice for new writers?
Don't think an editor wants to harm your book or your writing. We try to help you, make it better, we see things you might have not realized in that way. Try to accept an editor's opinion and think about it before throwing it overboard. I like to discuss things and talk them through, and I try to be always there for the authors I work with and they know that they can always contact me. A lot of indie writers think it's not important to let someone edit their book, but it is. There are always readers to whom a well edited book is as important as the story itself.

What do you think makes a good editor?
I think a good editor should be passionate about their work. Just like an author, but on a more impartial level. They should know the genre they're editing, they should know books from that genre. Personally, I like to read reviews about books before reading them, because that makes me also see what the reader thinks, what the reader wants, and what they dislike. It helped me with my work so far.

When you’re not editing what do you like to do?
Reading and writing are probably the things I enjoy the most. But I do have other things to do, I just don't enjoy them as much. I might be a tad bit addicted to TV shows.

http://eileenbookedits.blogspot.de/

https://twitter.com/EileenBookEdits

Editor Interview with Gerald William Shaw

Gerald William Shaw has worked as a writer and editor for books, newspapers, magazines and online sites. His latest edited books include TheBlood Feud, The Blood Tie and the soon-to-be-released The Blood Trail by Shelley Young, and Vibrations: A Psychic Journey by Tammie Whalen Buckler. He is also an author and ghostwriter. 

What type of stories do you most enjoy editing? 

Right now, I like thrillers, including erotic thrillers. I’ve recently edited the novels of Shelley Young, who is getting quite a following with her Dardian Dreshaj series – The Blood Feud and The Blood Tie.

What other books have you edited? 

I’ve edited science fiction and adventure novels. The DreamChaser, a romance-adventure by Anne Higgins Petz, has been getting great reviews. I’m editing a science fiction in the young adult genre for a new writer. I just completed editing a wonderful memoir by a woman with psychic abilities, Vibrations: A Psychic Journey by Tammie Whalen Buckler. I’ve also edited a science textbook, The Young Amateur’s Guide to Radio Physics. So, I pretty much cover a wide range.

Do you work for a company or are you a freelance editor? 

I am a freelance editor. My past experience includes a position as executive editor for a small book publishing company.

What book are you most proud of having edited? 

I’d have to say The Young Amateur’s Guide to Radio Physics because I wasn’t sure I could do it, but I did to the author's delight. It’s very technical. It’s aimed at young ham radio operators who want to consider the future of using radio communication with space exploration.

What is the best book you’ve read/edited this year? 

That would be The Blood Feud by Shelley Young. She’s an amazing writer who knows how to detail thrilling action, peppered with just enough sensuality. She has completed two novels in this series and is nearly done with the third, which I will also be editing. Her fans keep waiting for the next Dardian Dreshaj novel. 

Are your rates affordable for indie authors? 

I would say my rates are very affordable for indie authors. There are a lot of good writers out there and it can be privilege to help them publish their books within their means.

How do you decide your pricing? 

I generally have set fees, but let authors know I will negotiate with people who just can’t afford the prices of some professional editors. I work out fees with new and experienced writers.

Do you have any advice for new writers? 

Write, write and keep writing. Let your imagination go. Let friends or colleagues review your work, and take their criticism. It always helps. Then write again.

When you’re not editing what do you like to do? 

I like to write myself and have authored books, including TheComplete Guide to Trust and Estate Management, a popular how-to on property management from Atlantic Publishing. I have also ghostwritten books on health, skin care and home improvement.

www.geraldwilliamshaw.com

www.facebook.com/GeraldWilliamShaw

Twitter: @Jerosaur