Thanks, Hannah. I really appreciate that. There's so much amazing advice and guidance available these days, yet sometimes you just need an answer to your specific problem. Thanks for being here.
- Looking for advice on choosing an editor if I plan on self-publishing. How do you build trust before starting the editing, that this person will actually move your book closer to where you want it to be, and not further?
- Target audience and editor: If my target audience is primarily men age 30-50, should my editor have that profile too so s.he "gets it" ? Or as long as I mention clearly who my target audience is, the editor is supposed to be able to look at it with those eyes?
- Levels of completion and types of editing: Does my book need to be 90% or 99% done to send it to an editor? I felt several times at 50%.. and 75%.. that it would be so helpful to have an editor read it and give first feedback on structure, what's working, what to drop. Is this good practice, and does it require a different kind of editor (structural editor?)?
Great questions! You got it - I’ll answer the majority of those in the audio recording. For the different types of editing, Section 5 of the self-editing guide you now have access to goes over that in detail. But I’ll weave that into my answer about “book completion” and different stages. Thanks for submitting these!
Love this! I'm so glad I found your Substack. These are all great pieces of wisdom, and I like being able to hear the audio explanation of your answers.
I'm so glad this format and style is valuable. Sometimes it helps to hear the process - and it definitely helps when you can get answers to your specific pain point! Let me know if you have a Q for February's edition.
Amazing! That makes me so happy to hear. I'm glad it was what you needed. Happy writing and keep me posted on your progress! I'm working on a world-building post right now - more to come! :)
@Stephen Scheidell - thanks again for the question submission. Audio answers are live.
I love that you are doing this! It is special to include others in your work and your space here.
Thanks, Hannah. I really appreciate that. There's so much amazing advice and guidance available these days, yet sometimes you just need an answer to your specific problem. Thanks for being here.
My questions for Feb:
- Looking for advice on choosing an editor if I plan on self-publishing. How do you build trust before starting the editing, that this person will actually move your book closer to where you want it to be, and not further?
- Target audience and editor: If my target audience is primarily men age 30-50, should my editor have that profile too so s.he "gets it" ? Or as long as I mention clearly who my target audience is, the editor is supposed to be able to look at it with those eyes?
- Levels of completion and types of editing: Does my book need to be 90% or 99% done to send it to an editor? I felt several times at 50%.. and 75%.. that it would be so helpful to have an editor read it and give first feedback on structure, what's working, what to drop. Is this good practice, and does it require a different kind of editor (structural editor?)?
Thanks fo much Allison
Great questions! You got it - I’ll answer the majority of those in the audio recording. For the different types of editing, Section 5 of the self-editing guide you now have access to goes over that in detail. But I’ll weave that into my answer about “book completion” and different stages. Thanks for submitting these!
Love this! I'm so glad I found your Substack. These are all great pieces of wisdom, and I like being able to hear the audio explanation of your answers.
I'm so glad this format and style is valuable. Sometimes it helps to hear the process - and it definitely helps when you can get answers to your specific pain point! Let me know if you have a Q for February's edition.
I’m sure I will! Love the format. Super digestible.
I really appreciate hearing an editor think out loud like this. The one-take format makes the decision-making feel much more human and less mystical.
This means so much. Thank you. That’s exactly what I was hoping for.
Working on a fantasy draft right now! This is SO helpful
Amazing! That makes me so happy to hear. I'm glad it was what you needed. Happy writing and keep me posted on your progress! I'm working on a world-building post right now - more to come! :)