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Roman manuscript perfect? Find the ideal editing service for your novel!
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The topic briefly and concisely
A professional editorial service is more than just proofreading; it is an investment in the quality of your novel that pays off in higher sales figures and more satisfied readers.
Self-publishers benefit especially from editing, as it ensures quality and leaves a professional impression, which significantly increases market acceptance.
The choice of the right editor is crucial; pay attention to genre expertise, compatibility, and the possibility of a trial edit to ensure that the collaboration is successful and your novel is optimally enhanced.
Discover how a professional editing service can elevate your novel to the next level. Learn more about the different types of editing and how to find the right editor for your genre.
An editorial assessment of a novel is more than just a correction of spelling and grammar. It is a comprehensive revision aimed at enhancing the quality of your story and language. At Mentoc, we offer professional editing services to elevate your manuscript to the next level. We understand that your novel is a labour of love, and we treat it with the care and respect it deserves.
What an editorial assessment is not: It is not merely a proofreading service focused on eliminating errors in spelling, grammar, and punctuation. Neither is it ghostwriting or a complete rewrite of your novel. Rather, an editorial assessment focuses on improving the story and language, analysing plot, characters, style, and coherence. A good editorial assessment helps you optimise your work and bring out the best in your story. More information on the tasks of an editor can be found in our article What Does an Editor Do?
The different phases of an editorial assessment: A comprehensive editorial assessment involves various phases, including content editing (also known as dramaturgical editing), stylistic editing, and proofreading. Content editing focuses on plot structure, logic, and the narrative arc of your story. It deals with the development and consistency of your characters, as well as perspective and narrative style. On the other hand, stylistic editing scrutinises language, expression, tone, repetition, imagery, and clarity. Finally, proofreading ensures the elimination of errors in spelling, grammar, and punctuation. A professional editorial assessment considers all these aspects to achieve optimal results. Further information about the different phases can be found at Textgefährtin.
Self-publishers benefit: How editing ensures the quality of your novel
A professional editing service is crucial for novel authors for several reasons. Especially for self-publishers, it is essential to ensure the book's quality and leave a professional impression. Negative reviews due to errors can be avoided if editing takes place before publication. Even for authors aiming for traditional publishers, editing is beneficial as it increases the chances of manuscript acceptance. Furthermore, editing can help optimise the synopsis and sample chapters to capture publishers' interest.
The editor’s role as a sparring partner: An editor is more than just a proofreader. They are a sparring partner who provides you with objective feedback and opens up new perspectives on your manuscript. A good editor supports you in developing your story further and helps you unlock your full potential. They identify weaknesses and strengths in your manuscript and offer constructive suggestions for improvement. BoD emphasises that editing assesses the structure of the manuscript and ensures the flow of ideas is logical.
Why quality matters: A professional editing service significantly contributes to the quality assurance of your novel. It ensures your book leaves a professional impression and stands out from the crowd. This is particularly important for self-publishers who must compete in a highly competitive book market. A high-quality book increases reader satisfaction and enhances the success of your book. You can find more about quality on our website.
Optimal time: When you should have your novel manuscript edited
The ideal time for a novel proofreading is after self-editing and receiving initial feedback from beta readers. Before entrusting your manuscript to an editor, you should have already revised it yourself and gathered feedback from friends or beta readers. This allows you to correct basic errors and refine your manuscript. After this groundwork, proofreading is the last chance for optimization before submitting your manuscript to publishers or releasing it as a self-publisher.
Before submission to publishers or release: Proofreading is the final opportunity to thoroughly examine your manuscript and ensure it meets the highest quality standards. It is an investment that pays off, as it increases the chances of successful publication. Proofreading Bauer recommends proofreading after the author has self-edited and gathered feedback.
Why ChatGPT is no substitute: Even though AI-based tools like ChatGPT can assist with spelling and grammar corrections, they are no substitute for professional proofreading. ChatGPT lacks the understanding of the nuances of a story and the ability to consider legal aspects. A human editor can view your manuscript with a trained eye and provide valuable feedback that goes beyond mere error correction. An editor understands the subtleties of storytelling and can help you perfect your manuscript.
Finding the Right Editor: How to Choose the Perfect Expert for Your Novel
Selecting the right editor for your novel is crucial for the success of your book. There are several important criteria you should consider when choosing one. Pay attention to the editor's expertise in the genre, their affinity and communication style, as well as the possibility of a sample edit. The Selfpublisher Bibel advises prioritising compatibility over price and considering the editor's willingness to adapt to new genres.
Genre Expertise: An editor should have experience in the relevant genre, whether it's fantasy, romance, thriller, or another genre. An editor with genre expertise understands the specific demands and expectations of readers and can help you optimise your manuscript accordingly. Kristina Butz Lektorat offers services for various genres, including fantasy, romance, and young adult.
Affinity and Communication Style: An advance phone call is important to clarify expectations and determine if there is chemistry between you and the editor. The editor should be willing to adapt to your writing style and provide you with constructive feedback. A good communication style is essential for a successful collaboration. The Federrauschen Lektorat also offers a free initial consultation to address questions, concerns, and desires.
Sample Edit: Take advantage of a sample edit to assess compatibility between you and the editor. A test edit of 2-5 pages gives you insight into the editor's working style and helps you determine whether they are right for your project. For example, the Lektorat Zeilenherz offers a free sample edit of three standard pages.
VFLL as a Resource: The VFLL (Association of Free Editors) is a valuable resource for finding qualified editors. The VFLL lists editors with different focuses and specialties, providing you with a wide range of options. The Selfpublisher Bibel recommends the VFLL as a good starting point for finding editors.
Keeping Costs in Mind: How to Budget for Your Novel Editing
The costs for a novel editing can vary depending on various factors such as the quality of the text, the number of editing cycles, and the type of editing. Typically, the price is calculated per standard page (1500 characters including spaces). It is important to inform oneself about the different pricing models beforehand and set a budget.
Price per standard page: The usual prices for editing range between 4 and 9.50 euros per standard page. Therefore, the total cost for a novel can amount to approximately 1500 euros, depending on the length of the manuscript. Lektorat Bauer quotes a price of €6.50 gross per standard page.
Factors influencing the price: The text quality, the number of editing cycles, and the type of editing (content, stylistic) influence the price. A manuscript with many errors and stylistic weaknesses requires more time and effort from the editor, which is reflected in the price. The type of editing also plays a role: a simple proofreading is generally cheaper than comprehensive editing, which considers both content and stylistic aspects.
Budget options for self-publishers: For self-publishers with limited budgets, there are various options to reduce editing costs. Smaller packages without plot-level feedback or instalment payments can be a way to spread the costs. However, it is important not to skimp on quality. Federrauschen Lektorat offers, for example, smaller packages for self-publishers with budget constraints.
From the initial contact to the final version: This is how a professional editorial process works
A professional novel proofreading follows a clear process, from the initial contact to the final version of the manuscript. This process typically includes several steps, such as contacting and obtaining a cost estimate, a sample proofreading and contract agreement, editing the manuscript, and author revision.
Contact and Cost Estimate: In the first step, you contact the proofreader and clarify your expectations. You submit a manuscript excerpt, based on which the proofreader creates a cost estimate. A phone call can be helpful to discuss the details of the proofreading and to clarify any open questions. The Selfpublisher Bible recommends having a call in advance to clarify expectations.
Sample Proofreading and Contract Agreement: After the cost estimate, a sample proofreading typically follows, where the proofreader edits a small part of your manuscript. This allows you to get to know the proofreader’s working style and to see if there is good rapport between you. If you are satisfied with the sample proofreading, you enter into a contract that outlines the goals and scope of the proofreading.
Editing the Manuscript: The proofreader edits your manuscript and inserts comments and changes using the "Track Changes" feature in Word. Video calls can take place if needed, to clarify questions and discuss feedback. Heartfelt Books Writing also uses "Track Changes" in Word.
Author's Revision: After the proofreader’s edits, it’s up to you to incorporate the proofreader’s suggestions and revise your manuscript. You can ask further questions and discuss the suggested changes with the proofreader. This process may include several cycles until you are satisfied with the outcome.
More than just editing: Additional services for your book success
In addition to standard novel proofreading, there are a range of additional services available to support authors in publishing their book. These include writing synopses and blurbs, author support and mentoring, as well as translation proofreading.
Writing Synopses and Blurbs: A professional synopsis and an engaging blurb are crucial for the success of your book. They act as a calling card and should capture the interest of publishers and readers. An editor can assist you in creating synopses and blurbs, optimising them for marketing purposes. Herzensbücher schreiben offers blurb writing with keyword optimisation, for instance.
Author Support and Mentoring: Comprehensive author support and mentoring can be invaluable, especially for self-publishers. An experienced editor can assist you with every step of the publication process, from choosing the cover design to typesetting. They can provide valuable tips and advice to help you avoid mistakes.
Translation Proofreading: If you want to have your book translated into another language, translation proofreading is essential. A translation editor checks the translation for linguistic accuracy, stylistic appropriateness, and cultural sensitivity, ensuring your book also leaves a professional impression in the target language.
Identifying Common Weaknesses: How Editing Helps with Frequent Mistakes in Novels
A novel proofreading helps you identify and address typical weaknesses in your manuscript. The most common errors include inconsistencies in plot and characters, lack of tension and a missing narrative thread, stylistic weaknesses and repetitions, as well as lacking genre conformity.
Inconsistencies in Plot and Characters: A proofreader looks out for inconsistencies in the plot and character development. They ensure that the storylines are logical and the characters act credibly and consistently. They identify contradictions and discrepancies and provide you with suggestions for improvement.
Lack of Tension and Missing Narrative Thread: A proofreader examines whether your novel generates sufficient tension and has a clear narrative thread. They focus on the arc of suspense and offer tips on how to heighten tension and captivate the reader. They ensure that the story maintains a clear focus and does not get lost in trivialities. For instance, Lektorat Zeilenherz places particular emphasis on reviewing the "narrative thread."
Stylistic Weaknesses and Repetitions: A proofreader addresses stylistic weaknesses and repetitions in your manuscript. They offer guidance on how to enhance your writing style and avoid repetition. They focus on varied sentence structure and precise word choice.
Lacking Genre Conformity: A proofreader with genre expertise ensures that your novel meets the conventions and expectations of its specific genre. They provide advice on how to adjust your manuscript to the genre and effectively engage the target audience.
Investment in Success: Why Professional Proofreading is Essential
More useful links
The BoD emphasises that editing assesses the structure of the manuscript and ensures that the flow of ideas is logical.
Lektorat Bauer recommends editing after the author has self-edited their manuscript and gathered feedback, and quotes a price of €6.50 gross per standard page.
The Selfpublisher Bibel advises prioritising the right fit over price and considering the editor's willingness to adapt to new genres, recommending the VFLL as a good starting point to find editors. It suggests a preliminary phone call to clarify expectations.
Federrauschen Lektorat offers a free initial consultation to address questions, concerns, and wishes, and provides smaller packages for self-publishers with budget constraints.
Lektorat Zeilenherz, for instance, offers a free sample edit of three standard pages and places importance on checking the "red thread".
Herzensbücher schreiben also uses "track changes" in Word and offers blurb creation with keyword optimisation.
FAQ
What exactly does an editor do during novel editing?
Editing involves more than just proofreading. It includes a comprehensive revision of plot, characters, style, and coherence to enhance the quality and readability of your novel.
Why is editing so important for self-publishers?
For self-publishers, editing is essential to create a professional impression and avoid negative reviews due to errors. It ensures the quality of your book and helps to stand out in the market.
When is the best time to have my novel manuscript edited?
The ideal time is after self-editing and receiving initial feedback from test readers, but before submitting to publishers or publishing. This ensures that your manuscript meets the highest quality standards.
How can I find the right editor for my novel?
Consider the editor's genre expertise, their likeability, and their communication style. Take advantage of a sample edit to assess compatibility. The VFLL (Association of Freelance Editors) is a valuable resource.
How much does it cost to have a novel edited?
Costs vary but typically range between 4 and 9.50 euros per standard page (1500 characters including spaces). The total cost depends on the quality of the text, the number of editing cycles, and the type of editing needed.
What are typical weaknesses an editor finds in a novel?
Common issues include inconsistencies in plot and characters, lack of tension, a missing thread, stylistic weaknesses, repetitions, and lack of genre compliance.
Can ChatGPT replace professional editing?
No, while ChatGPT can assist with spelling and grammar corrections, it lacks the understanding of a story's nuances and the ability to consider legal aspects. A human editor provides valuable feedback beyond mere error correction.
What additional services do editors offer besides editing?
Many editors also offer synopsis and blurb creation, author support and mentoring, and translation editing to fully support authors in publishing their books.
