In my years of teaching editing to aspiring editors, I’ve noticed that taking the step between training and actually asking for pay is the hardest one for many people. In fact, a lot of people put it off for years, thinking there are just a few more things they need to do to get ready….
If you’re an author hoping to have your work traditionally published, it helps to know how publishers acquire novels so you can navigate the process successfully. Do be aware that while some publishers accept direct submissions from authors, many (especially bigger publishers) don’t, and you’ll need to find an agent first. Information on querying agents…
“Waiting for a hare to appear” is an old Taoist story. Taoism is a philosophy of the middle way, of not forcing effort, of observing nature and trying to stay in tune with it. Sometimes people take the wrong message away from Taoist teachers, and the hare story is an example. The story goes like…
Eliminating or reducing flashbacks in your story can help with the narrative flow and keep readers interested in what’s ahead – and you want your readers to keep turning the pages! Tips for Eliminating or Reducing Flashbacks in Stories Authors like to use flashbacks to show backstory. Unfortunately, flashbacks can stop the narrative flow in…
I was recently a guest on Fabio Cerpelloni’s podcast, Open Draft, and we talked about writing and editing. He distilled our conversation down to 5 key tips for writers (and editors): 1. You won’t win every fight. And you won’t please every reader. 2. There’s no formula to being a successful writer, but mindset matters…
If you’re a writer seeking traditional publication, you probably know that the best way to get that longed-for publishing deal is to find an agent to represent you. This post is intended to help you understand what agents do, why you might need one, and how to find one to represent you. What is an…
As one who teaches editors, recently I’ve been encountering revision letters (sometimes called editorial or edit letters) that run twenty, thirty, and even forty single-spaced pages. I can’t imagine how an author would react to an opus like this landing in their inbox. Actually, I can imagine. Panic, tears, anxiety, overwhelm, and probably shutdown. Please…
I’m sharing success stories from newer editors. The following is from Zainab Mirza. – Jennifer Lawler A few weeks ago, you asked folks to share their success stories. I have a couple of wins I’d like to share. Story #1:When I first moved back to Kuwait after college in 2012, I built relationships with a…
One of the perennial challenges freelance editors face is the need to fill their schedules with client work. No client work? No bills are getting paid – and that’s a road to financial disaster. But you don’t need me to tell you that. How to Get More Editing Business The best way to keep your…
Sometimes it can be difficult to focus on work. The world is on fire or your brother just died; you’re struggling with your health or your spouse just lost their job. Here are some simple things you can do to help make it through tough times: It’s difficult to focus when the news is bad…