Anyone have an editorial links?

[Humourme]

I need a professional editor. I have had work professionally critiqued before and whilst these have been helpful in some ways I am always being steered towards mainstream women's fiction in a typical romantic scenario - which to be honest bores the pants off me! These agencies simple don't understand my objectives which is not writing what sells because that's what publishers want but what satisfies me as a writer. I write comedy too so that is also an issue. ("You can't write comedy that's far too ambitious!") I'm interested in writing a book which is emotionally and creatively satisfying - I'm not worried if it doesn't have mainstream appeal - but that doesn't mean I don't want it to be the very best it can be and therefore I need help with structure and perhaps identifying exactly where I go over the top with my humour. (It's fairly gregarious.)
I am 60,000 words into a second novel (first in drawer) and have had a lot of stuff published on the net. My writing, I'm told, is fine - my problems are with structure etc. I am thinking a male editor with broader horizons might be better suited for me. Does anyone have any connections? Any help or advice would be appreciated:) Thanks:)

[Humourme]

That should read "Anyone have ANY editorial links?".

Obviously, I need proof reading help as well! Gez.

[Punkatheart]

I can do proofreading. I am a prizewinning journalist/short story writer - so I am great with the short form. I also assistant edit and write the arts/books pages for a conservation magazine.

But I am not qualified to edit a novel - which is different beast entirely. I will ask some friends - but please be careful about editorial services...some are really poor and not at all helpful...

[Punkatheart]

Suddenly thought of this lady, who is excellent:

www.debialper.co.uk/

[ImperialBlether]

This was the place recommended to my brother by a well known agent who felt she personally couldn't help him but thought his book was great and needed help with the structure.

For a book that's about 100,000 words, it's about £500 - if an agent recommends you then they knock £100 off, apparently. Or that might have been just that agency; I haven't checked.

[Humourme]

Hi Punkatheart,

Thanks for replying. I will need some proof reading when I am finished so I will definitely bear you in mind:) You are right - editing a novel is a different beast altogether and I would be most grateful if you can come up with any suggestions via your friends. In the meantime, I will check out your link. Thanks:)

I have used two agencies so far - one a small company recommended to me by an author friend which was useful to the extent as I was still very much a novice at the time. However, more recently I have used a much bigger well known agency - for a short story which they liked very much (serious contemporary) and then some of my novel - which they had a lot of reservations about as it's a comedy drama. They were really trying to steer me towards romance/ back to the style of my short story. I do understand why. However, I really want to write cross genre comedy/drama so I'm looking for someone to help me move towards my vision really and who believes in it. I suppose I am bit of an idealist!

[Humourme]

Hi ImperialBlether, thanks for your link:) I am familiar with that agency - they have a good reputation. I have been thinking about the critiques I've had lately and I am coming around to the idea that whoever I engage in the future I must be a lot clearer about objectives. Critiques are fairly expensive so I need to get the most out of them!

[Humourme]

Hi Punkatheart,

Your link looks promising. I particularly liked this statement:

"Some people are hoping to be signed with an agent and achieve a traditional publishing deal, others may intend to self-publish, and some might just love writing and want to make their novel as good as it can be. My feedback is designed to provide each person with what they need to have the best chance of fulfilling their particular ambitions."

I am currently revising the early stages of my novel using some of the more useful advice from my last critique. However, when I am at the stage where I think I'm ready for more input I may get in contact with Debi. I will probably need to send her a sample of my humour to see if she can stomach it:)

[Punkatheart]

Comedy drama is tough. Anything with comedy is tough.

Just discovered that I will be seeing Debi at a friend's London book launch in Feb.....

[Humourme]

Hi Punkaheart, sorry for the late reply: I forgot to check the thread. I probably should have ticked some notification box - I'm not a frequent user so I'm not too savvy with the technicalities.

I am learning the hard way that comedy drama is tough. I don't have a problem as such writing it - I think it's my natural style - it's just everyone else has a problem with it. Well the professionals do anyway! I'm coming round to the idea that self publishing may be my only option - in the meantime I still want to make it the best it can be:)

[TandB]

I know Debi - she's brilliant and seriously nice. Definitely keep her mind.

[Punkatheart]

I saw Debi last night. Such a lovely and savvy lady.

Any developments, Humourme?