Agnostic.com
5 1

I have used an editor to sharpen up my writing to the point where I can get it published online but it was erotica. I have a more serious piece that I am working on but don't know my editor enough to trust them with a serious writing effort. How do I know that I can trust them or better still, how do I find an editor that I can trust to not steal my material?

Wrytyr 7 June 21
Share
You must be a member of this group before commenting. Join Group

Enjoy being online again!

Welcome to the community of good people who base their values on evidence and appreciate civil discourse - the social network you will enjoy.

Create your free account

5 comments

Feel free to reply to any comment by clicking the "Reply" button.

0

Two things...you can protect your writing by sending a copy to an attorney, etc. Tell them not to open it, but keep it in the envelope you sent it and post it through the US post office. That way you can prove by the date stamped on the envelope it is yours and when you wrote it. I also always put copyright on the pages and also if it is a manuscript of novel, I always make sure it is registered with the WGA, East or West.

@Lavender719 -- It should be pointed out that one needn't do this on paper. Sending a disk copy of the document is fine -- and it's cheaper. Actually, sending it to yourself is just as good, but all it does is prove the origin of the material. Even registering books with WGA or sending them in registered mail to yourself is only good for origin. If you want legal leverage in court, a genuine copyright should be obtained from the US Copyright Office.

Added note: Even with a copyright from the US Copyright Office, international cases are not easy to win.

I would think that in order to send something to a lawyer, you would need to be their client, i.e. they will want a retainer because lawyers don't do anything for free.

0

What a profoundly should-never-be-asked question. First, no one in this business will risk stealing someone's material. Every letter you insert into a ms is copyrighted the instant the type hits the page, whether it be paper or electronic. And that's just the legal aspect. No one in this industry would even think about stealing anyone's work unless it was the most fantastic thing they had ever seen, and the likelihood of that is nil. Even then, the legal aspect would reign supreme.

There are three things you never do to an editor or publisher. The first is to say anything about how your work is copyright protected and don't you dare steal it. The second is to question their integrity regarding the work they do at any level and in any stage. The third is to ignore any small detail involving the format requirements. Not even a little bit. To do any one of these three things is to risk the wrath and exceptionally long term memories of editors and publishers alike. Any one of them is somewhat akin to pissing off your attorney before an important case or your surgeon before a delicate surgery.

Doing any of these things is also admission up front that you have no experience in the business of writing.

So, if you're looking for a compatible editor, that is something else and is legitimate. Most editors are personable folk in the writer's mind until the first edit comes in, then they're rotten SOBs for not recognizing the writer's immense skill at turn of phrase and incisive use of word. So, my question to you is, specifically what is it you are looking for? Otherwise the answer can only be generalized. You know, like search the lists of editors who are members of editor's associations. I've been working freelance for over 40 years and have never joined an association. Does that mean I'm not trustworthy or a bad editor or a fly-by-night operation looking to rip off the lowly writers who hire me? The best way to find that out is to ask those for whom I've done the job. The thing to understand from that is, there are lists of editors who are members of associations who have met their criteria, and there are freelance independents. If you look to an independent, ask him or her for references. Of course, it would be wise to do the same of association members, but at least with them there may be some recourse. Recourse for what, I don't know.

Another thing that I am unsure of is what editors charge for their work? I had planned on self publishing and possibly even an e book because I don't have the resources to do it any other way.

@Wrytyr -- Costs vary widely depending on the type of editing being done and the individual editor doing the work.

For instance, I do what was once called content editing (still is in some circles) but is now more commonly known as substantive editing. Here is a description of the work:

The most intensive editing is Content/Substantive editing. The ms is evaluated as a whole and problems of structure, organization, coherence, and logical consistency are corrected. Inconsistencies in character representations are noted and brought into line. Sentences may be removed or added. Paragraphs may be rewritten, condensed, expanded, or deleted. Blocks of text may be moved from one section to another. Entire chapters might be shuffled around for a more well organized flow of material.

Though the description is generally applicable, different editors approach this work differently and may add or subtract from the general statement. This is the most complete/extensive and costly form of editing.

Then there is:

Copy Editing which covers correcting problems of grammar, style, repetition, content redundancy, word usage, and jargon. This is just one step removed from Content Editing.

Line Editing which addresses creative content, writing style, and language use at the sentence and paragraph level. The purpose of a line edit is not to comb mss for errors -- the line edit focuses on the way you use language to communicate your story to the reader.

Proofreading is the most limited which corrects only minor errors of grammar and style, spelling, etc.

What type of editing would you be looking for and I can give you the more common range of pricing for it.

1

Were the editor's comments revealing?

Krish55 Level 8 June 21, 2018

He didn't offer any comments or a critique. I had submitted them for online publication and they were declined and he edited them and the next time I submitted them, they were published.

@Wrytyr I was making a pun on erotica...

1

I found a great freelance editor with publishing house creds on LinkedIn a couple years ago. Her name is Tiffany Yates Martin and her company is Fox Print Editorial. I sent her a sample of the book I was working on and she reviewed it to be sure she wanted to work with me before she accepted my as a client. The first thing she did was recommend several books which changed the way I wrote. I ended up dropping the project after the third rewrite, but I learned a lot and my storytelling skills have significantly improved.

RRBinkele Level 3 June 21, 2018

To establish trust, consider starting with smaller projects or tasks to gauge their professionalism and reliability. Communication is key; discuss your concerns openly with the editor and see how they respond. A trustworthy editor will understand your apprehensions and work to alleviate them.Furthermore, when seeking a new editor, you can rely on platforms like the best ai content writing tools to find experienced professionals with proven track records. These platforms often provide reviews and references, allowing you to assess an editor's reputation before making a decision.

3

I don't think many true editors would steal your material. That risk, if it happened, would probably come from a stranger offering to help.
I edited magazines for very many years, ans have also helped a couple o9f writers edit their work for publishing. The last thing on my mind would be stealing it! In fact, an author friend who lives about 6 miles away has just given me her third book to pass my editor's eye over. (I helped with her second book to the extent of even giving her the plot and story line.) This third book involved quite a few pleasant evenings, sipping wine and discussing the book as it progressed.
I wish you luck.

Petter Level 9 June 21, 2018
Write Comment

Recent Visitors 34

Photos 390 More

Posted by K9JetLee999Here's the Kindle version of my latest book. If you have Prime, it's free if not 3.99. Geez I'd really like to see what it's like to earn 99 cents. [amazon.com]

Posted by ThomasThurstonA new controversial novel, Becoming Christ is released now! The novel presents Jesus not as the Son of God but as a handsome and ambitious young preacher who gets swept up in his own message, who ...

Posted by K9Kohle789[amazon.

Posted by aisha1998I against domestic voilence

Posted by RiturajRao87 NCRB (national crime record bureau) data shows 95% rape victims in India known to offenders; Madhya Pradesh tops the list. [firstpost.com]

Posted by RiturajRao87National bigotary mission (राष्ट्रीय कट्टरता मिशन)

Posted by JackPedigoYesterday was Margaret Attwoods birthday.

Posted by VadimSounds like a useful skill.

Posted by freelanceamyI'm about to finish my sample and thinking about purchasing. I've been looking at other samples on secular Buddhism and this one seems about right for me right now. Thoughts?

Posted by guntisI'm dreaming of a poetry book with illustrations like this

Posted by Jinx5555555Some people care about titles, clothes, jewelry, cars, nice homes, and such.

Posted by evidentialistNew findings from an asteroid sample. [msn.com]

Posted by evidentialist Announcement: Those of you who have joined and not yet written a bio, be aware that I have begun purging those who have not.

Posted by FrayedBearCan it be sent viral?

Posted by FrayedBearCan it be sent viral?

Posted by FrayedBearCan it be sent viral?

  • Top tags#hello #world #book #god #video #friends #religion #hope #writers #books #religious #reason #money #death #hell #kids #novels #children #earth #fear #church #sex #dogs #mother #cats #movies #Atheist #humans #laws #poetry #sleep #parents #wife #Song #relationship #coffee #Christian #atheism #agnostic #truth #Jesus #animals #Police #DonaldTrump #society #Present #guns #beliefs #dream #existence ...

    Members 1,188Top

    Moderator