Howdy,
A few months ago, I decided to take the plunge and hire an editor to take a look at my YA WIP. I did this for several reasons. This being before Solarflame was picked up for publication, I was feeling a little desperate. Despite the hard work I put into the novel I was hawking, all I had to show for it were heaps of rejections. Something I was doing was either dead wrong, or I was missing something vital in my writing. So, I figured an editor might give me some insight that could be the difference between acceptance or rejection one day. That was the driving force behind my decision.
The second reason was I never tried it before. Several people in my writing group had hired editors at one time or another, and I don't think any of them had any significant complaints. The general consensus was, having an editor look at your work will only improve it in the end. So, I decided what the hell, why not give it a try. Of course, being frugal, I wasn't thrilled by the cost.
The final piece of the puzzle was a promotional deal from Pacific Northwest Writers and freelance editor Alicia Dean. The price was right, so I took the leap.
Honestly, I didn't know what to expect. Not when it came to having someone edit my novel. Still, I waited eagerly for the edits to come back. Then the coronavirus seized the country. Like everything else, the editorial work on my novel was impacted.
Anyway, I just got my edits back. I have to say I'm delighted with the results. Without a doubt, having Alicia look at the novel improved it. I'm still working through the manuscript, implementing her advice. Going through this experience, I’d definitely say if you're on the fence about hiring an editor, doing so is a good idea. Yes, it's an investment of money, but having someone who edits work in your genre read through the entire manuscript is worthwhile. With a little bit of research, finding an experienced editor who will provide reliable advice to improve your writing is not difficult.
As always, good luck with your writing endeavors, and during this time of contagion, remain six feet apart while in public.
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