How to be a Novel Editor
Are you seeking direction on how to be a novel editor?
For those who love words, the question of how to become a novel editor can be an exciting start or an overwhelming obstacle. Here I share some tips on how to make it happen!
I quit smoking more than twenty years ago. This doesn’t make me an expert on dealing with addiction.
I broke my ankle last July and have recovered full function since then. This doesn’t make me an expert in physical therapy.
But I am an expert in storytelling and in editing works of fiction. Yes, I wrote some novels that were published by traditional publishers.
But I also have Ph.D in English literature, for which I studied how stories work; I have countless hours of professional development as a writer and editor (including classes, workshops, conferences, and more); I have been taught by mentors on the job for many years; I have watched and experienced how other editors work; I have networked with hundreds of colleagues to understand how they work and to identify best practices; I read and critique dozens of stories/novels a year to identify how they work (or how they don’t); I listen carefully to the feedback of students and clients; and, most important of all, I am willing to adjust what I know when I encounter new information.
That’s how you develop expertise in a subject matter.
Personal experience is always a great place to start (for example, you’ve written a novel or you had a manuscript edited) but it’s not the end. It’s the first step.
If you want to move beyond your own personal experience to understand how to edit for others, the self-paced package of classes, DE 1 – 6, is a great place to start.
Other Helpful Content
Letting go of mistakes
Once upon a time, I trained in the martial arts. When I was a brown belt, I hit someone pretty hard and broke his rib. We were supposed to demonstrate excellent physical control, and accidentally breaking someone’s rib does not equal excellent physical control. I felt terrible for causing him pain and for not having…
Doing quick manuscript evaluations
I once had a manuscript land on my desk was written in such an abstract way (“glorious silver moon moments brandish sparkles”) (not a direct quote) that I couldn’t figure out how to begin to edit it. This was for a publisher client who would send projects my way without giving me a chance to…
Understanding Reader Expectations & Genres
One key to identifying DE problems is understanding reader expectations, and reader expectations are closely tied to genre. Understanding Reader Expectations When I read a romance, I expect it to end happily ever after. I don’t care if you have a great idea for a heart-breaking ending. I don’t want a heartbreaking ending. I want…
