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  • Why Freelance Editors Decline Manuscripts

    It’s one thing to receive a rejection from an agent or a publishing house—few writers win the publishing lottery immediately. Your prospective agent may have hit their quota for urban robot romance, or maybe they’re just not buying what you’re selling.[i] But rejection from a freelance editor can feel worse: what does it say about…

  • What’s a “Reasonable” Rate?

    When I quote on a project, I prefer to offer a total package price. It’s easier for me, and it reduces surprise fees for the writer. That’s why a large part of my quote is based on word count. However, I find that it’s easier to explain costs in terms of hourly fees. How come?…

  • Ask an Editor: Should You Use the Same Editor for a Second Read?

    If you make changes to an already edited and proofed piece, is it a good idea to go to a different editor for a final/second round of edits for the fresh eyes, or is it better to stick with someone who knows the work? It depends! How important is continuity to you? Smaller projects—essays, chapbooks,…

  • Ask an Editor: Teaching Engineers, Content Editing, and Typos

    Why is my supervisor asking me to teach the other engineers how to write? It’s a compliment! I’m guessing your supervisor recognizes you’re an effective communicator and that your touch translates to quality. Still curious? There’s no reason you can’t ask your supervisor to explain why your style works. When it comes to teaching, though,…

  • The Importance and Limitations of Beta Readers

    So you’re feeling good about your current draft. It’s shiny, you’ve corrected the most glaring goofs, and you’re ready to move forward. But before you make any big decisions, consider farming out to beta readers. A great beta reader can give you an early preview of how your intended audience might react to and evaluate…

  • Ask An Editor: Kitty, Catty, Cater?

    Kitty-corner/catty-corner. I know it’s regional. But a story I edited a few nights ago had cater-corner. Which is best? First, a disclaimer: I am neither a linguist nor a lexicographer—I’m just an editor who likes to understand where words come from and how best to use them. The short answer about kitty-cornered, cater-cornered, and catty-cornered…

  • Ask an Editor: Punctuation with Parentheses

    Every Friday I plan on answering a writing or editing question I've received via social media—or submission on this site. Today's topic? Those lovely curvy marks known as parentheses.  Can you provide a refresher on how to handle punctuation with parentheses? Sure thing! Parentheses function like a stronger pair of commas—or em dashes—and set off…

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    Happy Holidays!

    Regardless of what you do or do not celebrate, be well. Don't forget that discounted NaNoWriMo packages expire on December 31. 

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    Discounted NaNoWriMo Editing Packages

    I love the idea of National Novel Writing Month. It’s an excuse to chase ideas and leverage oneself into a consistent writing practice. It’s a supportive (and sometimes competitive) community that offers on and offline resources to hobbyists and professionals. NaNoWriMo recognizes that cranking out wordage is crucial for producing a workable first draft, and…

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    8 Ways to Vet Potential Editors

    A self-published writer recently confessed that while he doesn’t mind investing in a good editor, he finds it difficult to determine what constitutes a “good editor” before writing the check. I get it. Why fork over hundreds or thousands of dollars to someone who will only skim your work and correct glaring grammatical errors? Why…