Writing Tip Wednesday--Edits

Welcome to Writing Tip Wednesday! I’ll be discussing career topics for the next several months. For writing craft topics, see the Labels list in the left sidebar as you scroll down the page or check out my handbook in e-book or print.

Edits… Some authors love them. Some authors hate them. Either way, we all have to do edits—even those who self-publish.

Edits are usually grouped into three types, based on which aspects of the manuscript are being reviewed.
1) Content or Developmental Edits – checks plot and character development
2) Line Edits – checks the pacing, story continuity, and content
3) Copy Edits – checks for grammar, spelling, and punctuation; also verifies legal and usage questions and checks or questions facts

How many rounds of edits should you expect from a publisher? The number can vary, depending on that publisher’s procedure. Sometimes a combination of content/developmental and line edits makes up the first round of edits, with copy edits being performed in the second round. Every manuscript should go through at least two separate rounds of edits. Like writers, editors often have strengths in one area or another, so having one round will likely mean missed errors or issues.

The timetable varies greatly from publisher to publisher. Traditional print edits tend to be spaced over a longer period of time than e-pub edits because the turnaround time from submission to publication is longer. Some e-publishers have first-round edits to the author within a few weeks of acceptance, setting a week or two later as the deadline for return. Final edits may be sent as late as a week to ten days before release, with a five- to seven-day deadline. Be aware that missing a deadline can push back the release date for the book or may even nullify the contract.

The turnaround time for a freelance editor depends on her client load and speed. Be sure to ask when researching content and copy editors for self-publishing. The waiting line may be months long for an experienced, in-demand editor. Costs can vary greatly too.

The big question…
Do I have to make all the changes my editor suggests?

The publisher wants to make your book the best possible product it can be so it sells well. The editor’s job is to facilitate that process by correcting errors and suggesting ways to improve the story. However, the story belongs to the author, meaning she should have a say in changes. If a rewrite or expanded scene is requested, the editor should provide a reason for it. The editor should not rewrite or add to the book without notifying the author and receiving permission to do so. Always do a final read-through of the edited manuscript prior to publication. Unfortunately, editors have, on occasion, taken the liberty of making major changes without informing the author. While this may be grounds for breach of contract, the author is responsible for making sure her book isn’t reworked by an editor without her knowledge as well as addressing that line-crossing with the publisher. Be proactive.

Simple mistakes, like missing punctuation or a misspelled word, are usually corrected with track changes turned on. The author goes through the manuscript, track changes bubble by track changes bubble, either accepting or rejecting the changes. Yes, the author can reject changes if she believes the editor’s “correction” is, in fact, incorrect. Editors aren’t perfect. An inexperienced one may not be thoroughly versed in the publisher’s choice of house style and may make the occasional mistake. By improving her writing craft skills, the author is better prepared for edits and doesn’t have to rely only on her editors for a well-written book.

Other issues have comment bubbles to show the author where clarification, expansion, or correction is needed. If the plot has a logic lapse, the editor should comment on the specific problem. She might make a suggestion on how to fix it or simply point out the issue. The author uses this guidance to clarify, expand, or correct the point within the manuscript. Track changes makes those additions and corrections visible to the editor upon return for verification.

Just as critiques should provide polite and encouraging feedback, edits should be helpful and positive. Snarky or unconstructive comments should be brought to the attention of the publisher. Be diplomatic rather than defensive. By the same token, edits are meant to improve the story and the author needs to learn to accept critical feedback. Taking edits as a personal attack shows the author isn’t ready for honest opinions of her work. Unprofessional behavior on the part of editor or author can create an unhealthy relationship between the author, the editor, and the publisher.

The author ultimately has to decide which changes to make. If the publisher disagrees, be prepared to make some concessions or the contract may be terminated. Be open to suggestions, but remember that the story is yours.

Mellanie Szereto
Romance...With A Kick!

Speed Demon :D

So, I opened my e-mail last night about 8:00 to find final edits for Beyond Bewitching. By 8:10, I was done! During a final read-through, I found a couple more minor tweaks to make, but this was definitely the fastest round of edits yet! I should be getting the cover soon :) Release date is Oct. 29th!!!

Now, back to the foodie!

Mellanie Szereto
Romance...With A Kick!

Cover and Edits!

I got first round edits for Beyond Bewitching today!

AND...I got the cover for Bound by Voodoo!!! Release day is October 15!

Mellanie Szereto
Romance...With A Kick!

Edits Done! Submission Soon!

I submitted Bound by Voodoo, completed the cover art questionnaire, signed the contract, and finished first round and final edits edits all within 3 1/2 weeks! I'm looking forward to seeing the cover :) The hard part will be waiting until October 15th for it to go sale...

Beyond Bewitching: Sequel to Bewitching Desires should be ready to submit tomorrow, and I'm plugging away the foodie contemporary!

Back to the writing cave :)

Mellanie Szereto
Romance...With A Kick!

Edits!

No reading or writing tonight. I got first edits for Two Roped and Ready (Bewitching Desires 6) this afternoon! Release date is May 28 :)

Mellanie Szereto
Romance...With A Kick!

Edits, Cover Art, and Writing

I got final edits for Two Times the Trouble (Bewitching Desires 5) last night. Done and sent this morning!

I got the cover art questionnaire for Two from the Triangle (Bewitching Desires 7) this afternoon. Done and sent!

Almost 2K written on the new foodie novel and still writing!

Kicking butt today :)

Mellanie Szereto
Romance...With A Kick!

New Cover!

YAY!!! I got the cover for The Sextet Presents...Playing in the Raine: A Toy Story today!! Final edits came too. They're done and ready to send as soon as I do a read-through :) Stock up on the ice cubes--this one's HOT! It should be available for preorders in a few days, with release day on April 2nd!


Mellanie Szereto
Romance...With A Kick!

Caught Up!

Last week, a last minute trip out of town with my husband and son to Pennsylvania, with a stop to visit our daughter in Ohio on the way home, threw a wrench in writing and the edits I got on Tuesday for Two Times the Trouble. BUT--edits are done and sent!!! And I critiqued a couple chapters for Sandy James. Now, I can get back to Two from the Triangle!

Mellanie Szereto
Romance...With A Kick!

Busy Week!

First, a qualifier--I AM NOT COMPLAINING!!! What a crazy busy week so far! I submitted Two Roped and Ready (Bewitching Desires 6) on Sunday, got first edits for The Sextet Presents...Playing in the Raine: A Toy Story on Monday, got final edits for Two Pirates to Treasure (Bewitching Desires 4) on Tuesday, and got the offer to publish Two Roped and Ready today. Both sets of edits are done and sent, and Two Pirates to Treasure will be available for pre-orders very soon! Now to get back to writing Two from the Triangle :)

Mellanie Szereto
Romance...With A Kick!

A Hot One!

I got first edits from Siren yesterday afternoon for The Sextet Presents...Playing in the Raine: A Toy Story. My editor's comments include "This is an all-around excellent manuscript, with strong characters and a well-developed plot. In addition to a well-written story, this manuscript is very clean...The sex scenes in this story are all incredibly hot." Watch out--this one is rated Sextreme! Edits are done and sent, with a super hot excerpt :) Release date is April 2!

Mellanie Szereto
Romance...With A Kick!

Updates

First edits for Two Pirates to Treasure are done and sent. I can't wait to see Jinger Heaston's cover art!

I'm also about a quarter of the way done with Two Roped and Ready (Bewitching Desires 6). I'm shooting for Feb. 1st to submit, and then on to number 7--Two from the Triangle.

Back to writing!

Mellanie Szereto
Romance...With A Kick!

Edits!

I got edits for Two Pirates to Treasure!!! Release date is Feb. 27! Time to get to work :)

Mellanie Szereto
Romance...With A Kick!

New Cover!!!

Here's the cover for The Sextet Anthology Volume 5: Mistletoe & Menage!!! I also got final edits today for A Little Elfin Magic from M&M. Done and sent! Release date is December 19th :)


Mellanie Szereto
Romance...With A Kick!

Updates

I sent back the final edits for Two Fated for One last night and found the contract for Mistletoe & Menage in my inbox today. I also got the tentative cover for Entanglements yesterday. The Sextet would like a tweak or two before we give it the final okay. I'll post it when it's ready!

Release date reminders:
Two Fated for One (Bewitching Desires 3) ~ Monday, November 14th
Entanglements (The Sextet Anthologies Volume 4) ~ Monday, November 21st
Mistletoe & Menage (The Sextet Anthologies Volume 5) ~ Monday, December 19th

Mellanie Szereto
Romance...With A Kick!

Final Edits

I got the final edits for Two Fated for One this morning. Done. Now for a final read-through! It should be up for pre-orders in a few days :)

Mellanie Szereto
Romance...With A Kick!

Edits!

I got edits for A Little Elfin Magic from The Sextet's Mistletoe & Menage anthology today! Release date is Dec. 19th :)

How about a Few Extra Hours in a Day?

Time for a deep breath... Ahhh. Much better. I'm making progress on Two Pirates to Treasure, but a STOP sign popped up in front of me on Tuesday afternoon. EDITS!!! I got first edits for Two Fated for One and had to tackle those first. Mostly simple fixes. A read-through. All done :) Now back to writing!

Mellanie Szereto
Romance...With A Kick!

Done with Final Edits!

I received the final edits for Two Knights of Passion last night. They're done and sent! Release date is September 16, and it should be available for pre-orders later this week!!

Mellanie Szereto
Romance...With A Kick!

Writing, Writing, Writing

I'm off to a good start with Two Pirates to Treasure (Bewitching Desires 4) and my yet-untitled Christmas novella for the fifth Sextet anthology, Mistletoe and Menage. I submitted BD3-Two Fated for One and am working on the cover art questionnaire. Final edits for Two Knights of Passion should be coming any day, and the cover for it should be ready some time this week. Off to write some more!

Mellanie Szereto
Romance...With A Kick!

Almost Caught Up!

What a crazy summer! I've been out of town several times--RWA National Conference, family reunion/vacation, moving daughter to grad school, and now hubby's conference in Boulder/vacation in Estes Park. I've had numerous writing deadlines and releases. And I'm writing new stories. In the last couple weeks, I've done final edits, first edits, edits for a submission, continued working on book 3 of the Bewitching Desires series, and starting a new novella for volume 5 of The Sextet Anthologies. I have a self-imposed submission deadline of this Wednesday for Two Fated for One (BD-3), with only the last couple chapters to write. Then I need to crank out the Christmas anthology story and get started on Two Pirates to Treasure. Did I really say I'm almost caught up???

Mellanie Szereto
Romance...With A Kick!