Don't just browse. Read.
You do want to get published...right?
I’m kidding. Is it all worth it? To be honest, it’s a tricky question to answer.
This is at least a good place to start...
If you want to be picked up by a mainstream publisher, this will normally mean going via an agent and an editor and writer coach can really help with your query letter.
Once you have caught the attention of an editor you will want to have a really good pitch. Your manuscript (or the first few chapters) is the meat and potatoes of your pitch. In this instance, I would suggest that yes, an editor is definitely a good way to go.
There are of course cheap and free options. There are writer groups for instance where authors swap work and edit each chapters for each other. There are also marketplaces such as Fiverr and Upwork where editors can be found relatively cheaply. I would suggest preparing a test piece with some grammatical and logical errors strategically placed and submitting it with them before committing to a larger scope of work.
A writer coach can typically provide support throughout the writing process; up to and including, submitting your first few chapters to an established or freelance editor for a deep dive edit and story consultation. Your pitch needs to be punchy and well put together. It needs to grab their attention and the language and formatting needs to be right. These people see a lot of pitches and an editor can really help you to craft yours.
With the advent of services like Kindle subscriptions, the broader Amazon marketplace and print on demand services, self-publishing has become a real option not only to get your work out into the world, but in some instances, to make a solid income from it.
It is not without its challenges (marketing, keyword research and such) BUT, there is also a very low barrier to entry.
Something that has been found [ref] to have a negative impact on book reception is poor editing (grammar, spelling and formatting). Some people are very good at catching their own mistakes, but in my opinion, there is no substitute for a second pair of eyes.
As with every endeavour, you want to give yourself the best chance at success. An editor can help with the classic language and formatting, but they can also really help to develop the story and catch missteps, improving the reader’s experience and getting you those all-important five star reviews.
If you are just writing it for you, or as a gift for example, maybe you don’t need an editor.
You certainly don’t NEED one, and particularly if you are managing your time well and you are making good progress, you can probably go without. But if you’re not, a writer coach can be really helpful.
And you never know, Winnie the Pooh and the Lord of Rings started out as “I’m just writing this for my kids”.
That depends on your drivers!
Let’s say you have completed a 100,000 word manuscript and decide to get me to perform a deep dive edit. At our ad hoc rate of 1.8p per word, that would cost £1,800. Will you make that back again? Honestly? Probably not. There are a LOT of authors, producing a LOT of material. It is difficult to stand out. It will however help you achieve your best work, and give your manuscript it’s best chance.
Let’s say you have a great idea and have written 10,000 words but it has taken you two years to get that far. Working with a writer coach will definitely improve your chances of completing the book, and at a much better pace. Is it worth the investment? In terms of making your money back, I refer you to the previous paragraph. In terms of completing a book. Your book. Is that worth the investment? Only you can answer that.
Until next time.
Rick
rick@bookonedone.com