Editing a book is a strictly behind-the-scenes gig.
No name on the spine.
No stylized script on the front cover.
No "About the Editor" bio and picture on the back cover.
No promotional lead up to publishing on social media.
And definitely no name in lights.
But, honestly, I'm totally o.k. with that. Now, don't get me wrong, seeing my name next to "Edited by" on the copyright page is a pretty amazing feeling, but I didn't decide to edit books for the fame and glory. I'm not sure there's a book editor around that could be considered famous. It's just not what the job is about. And I'm not an editor because I'm good at grammar and stuff, but bad at writing. It's not a "Those who can't write, Edit" situation. Actually, I'm a really good writer. But. I'm not a storyteller. And, to me, that's what makes a writer an author. But more on that in another post.
So, if I'm not all about the (ahem) Fame and Fortune, how do I even know I'm good at what I do? How can I tell if this adventure is successful?
Well, I could judge it by my editing calendar, or the number of clients I have, or the fact that my very first client is constantly referring other authors to me. But all these examples are just numbers. And since my target client base is the Independent/Self-Publish Community, there aren't really any baseline numbers to compare mine to, so they really are just numbers.
As an editor, I believe my job is more than just correcting the grammar and spelling in a manuscript. I believe it's my job, and responsibility, to help my author tell the absolute best story she can, the absolute best way it can be told. The author's job is to tell a story; to mine the gem from the depths of her imagination. It's my job, as the editor, to polish, and hone, and shape that gem until it simply gleams.
So, when I see A Blue Tale by Sarah Dosher - one of my authors - not even 3 full days after the release, rank in the top 50 on two Amazon Best Sellers lists, and the top 100 on a third, I know I did my job. That gem is shine-ing!
When I check out the reviews for my authors' books and read phrases such as:
"I felt every emotion possible while reading it. One minute I was happy, the next I was mad."
or "My heart felt their pain, love, suffering, longing, and confusion."
or"The writer captured her feelings, her sadness especially perfectly.....the author wrote with her heart and soul..."
or"I felt the emotions right from page 1 until the very last word!!"
I know I did my job well.
In short, I'm successful when the readers enjoy the book. When a reader lives the story right along with the characters, I've done my job well. I can set aside my polishing cloth to reach for the next newly mined gem and begin the process all over again.
For me, it's less about the mechanics of grammar and writing, and more about the experience of helping a storyteller share her unique story with the world.
No name on the spine.
No stylized script on the front cover.
No "About the Editor" bio and picture on the back cover.
No promotional lead up to publishing on social media.
And definitely no name in lights.
But, honestly, I'm totally o.k. with that. Now, don't get me wrong, seeing my name next to "Edited by" on the copyright page is a pretty amazing feeling, but I didn't decide to edit books for the fame and glory. I'm not sure there's a book editor around that could be considered famous. It's just not what the job is about. And I'm not an editor because I'm good at grammar and stuff, but bad at writing. It's not a "Those who can't write, Edit" situation. Actually, I'm a really good writer. But. I'm not a storyteller. And, to me, that's what makes a writer an author. But more on that in another post.
So, if I'm not all about the (ahem) Fame and Fortune, how do I even know I'm good at what I do? How can I tell if this adventure is successful?
Well, I could judge it by my editing calendar, or the number of clients I have, or the fact that my very first client is constantly referring other authors to me. But all these examples are just numbers. And since my target client base is the Independent/Self-Publish Community, there aren't really any baseline numbers to compare mine to, so they really are just numbers.
As an editor, I believe my job is more than just correcting the grammar and spelling in a manuscript. I believe it's my job, and responsibility, to help my author tell the absolute best story she can, the absolute best way it can be told. The author's job is to tell a story; to mine the gem from the depths of her imagination. It's my job, as the editor, to polish, and hone, and shape that gem until it simply gleams.
So, when I see A Blue Tale by Sarah Dosher - one of my authors - not even 3 full days after the release, rank in the top 50 on two Amazon Best Sellers lists, and the top 100 on a third, I know I did my job. That gem is shine-ing!
When I check out the reviews for my authors' books and read phrases such as:
"I felt every emotion possible while reading it. One minute I was happy, the next I was mad."
or "My heart felt their pain, love, suffering, longing, and confusion."
or"The writer captured her feelings, her sadness especially perfectly.....the author wrote with her heart and soul..."
or"I felt the emotions right from page 1 until the very last word!!"
I know I did my job well.
In short, I'm successful when the readers enjoy the book. When a reader lives the story right along with the characters, I've done my job well. I can set aside my polishing cloth to reach for the next newly mined gem and begin the process all over again.
For me, it's less about the mechanics of grammar and writing, and more about the experience of helping a storyteller share her unique story with the world.
Quotes taken from Amazon.com Customer Reviews for A Blue Tale by Sarah Dosher and Heartstrings by Heather Gunter, both clients of word·play by 77peaches. Visit the Services page for information on using word·play for your next book.
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