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(Too?) limited editorial comments - but insightful

5 replies

Pollaidh · 06/10/2017 17:43

Has anyone used a freelance editor for a submission package? I've just done that and I had some very useful and insightful comments on the dreaded synopsis. The first 30 pages have also been edited but with hardly any comments. A few specific line comments, a couple of rearranged sentences. A couple of 'expand this so we get to know him better', 'slow the pacing here'. Otherwise they've said they wouldn't want to change voice or style, and described it as 'really lovely'.

I was expecting to find it torn apart with comments and track changes everywhere and am now wondering what to make of it. The MS was pretty polished and has been through multiple beta and critique readers, so maybe it's ready?

I wondered what other writers, more experienced than me, would make of this feedback. I'm obviously relieved there are no major changes needed, but slightly unnerved by the limited comments. They warn in their material that they are thorough editors and the process isn't for the faint hearted.

Is it, with fixes, ready to go, or do I need another editor? Sorry, really difficult question without having seen my writing I know, but any insights gratefully received.

The editor in question is a published author who gets pretty good reviews, who has also edited a number of books including those picked up by major publishers.

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ProperTeaPortfolio · 06/10/2017 18:58

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Pollaidh · 06/10/2017 20:21

Thanks Propertea and good luck with your own submissions!

It's already been cut from nearly 200k words Shock to a submittable length! My two early critique partners (published authors, small scale) did in depth very helpful edits, and a 3rd CP who is a professional line editor and also CPs and betas for fun, saw 2 versions, and on the latest she said she thought it was ready to submit. So I think I'll go back to the freelance editor for clarification 'if I fix this, is it publishable quality?', and if so, submit. Yikes!

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Pollaidh · 19/10/2017 12:04

Just an update: They loved it and asked for an R&R (which is a whole other post as this one's a bit dead now).

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whitehorsesdonotlie · 19/10/2017 12:04

Wow, huge congrats, Pollaidh! :) Great news.

Pollaidh · 19/10/2017 12:20

Thanks Whitehorses, I'm so happy. I went back to my freelance editor for clarification on her comments and she was very very positive and felt I should go after big agents. The R&R comes from the only place I've actually submitted (via twitter pitch), and is for a small publishing house. I submitted before my freelance agent had seen my work.

My feeling is that I won't resubmit to the publishing house, but will instead go after my top choice agents.

I've my doubts about the R&R so it's not all plain-sailing, so if you've any advise to offer please check out my new therad.

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