Dear Lou,
My writing group has suggested I hire a professional developmental editor to look at my children’s chapter book, but I’m wary of letting someone else loose on my manuscript. What if they want to change everything and I don’t agree?
Thanks,
Austin
Hi Austin,
To start off with, please let me reassure you that you are not the first person who has asked me this question, or some variation of it. As a writer, I understand how you feel and, as an editor, I can promise you that a professional editor will not force you to change your story. If you meet one who does try, then thank them for their time, pay the bill and look for another editor who won’t.
Your story is valuable, and the fact that you have put pen to paper and poured out your soul is a very real element of writing a novel. Editors get that!
We understand that you may have had your hopes crushed by an agent or publisher. Or perhaps you’ve had a writing critique partner who is a little harsh and has made you doubt your skills?
That’s not what editors do.
A developmental editor is a trained professional whose job is to to help you hone your skill and fine-tune your message. We are trained to ask insightful questions, flag inconsistencies and help you write what you want to say in the best possible way. We make sure that all the bits add up and point you in the right direction if you’ve strayed from the path you initially took.
If you’ve never worked with an editor before, stay open-minded about the process and remember that you will never know what a positive experience it can be until you try.
Let me leave you with this quote from one of my client’s testimonials:
I always thought that editors were scary folk who made authors cry. Lou is not. She’s firm, but kind. Professional, but friendly.
You can find the full testimonial here. I was very proud of that testimonial because I really don’t want to be seen as a slasher-type editor who makes writers weep. And, although the testimonial is about me, I just want to say that, as a group, we’re all just really nice, normal people who love books. Nothing scary here.
Millions of writers have trusted us with their manuscripts over the years. Go on, give us a try!
Lou
