After submitting my novel, The Alberta Connection, a Ryce Dalton novel, to Amazon and CreateSpce without any positive results, I recently pulled the novel and submitted it to what might be considered a hybrid publisher. Unlike my first publisher, who did absolutely nothing to help me become a better author, this publisher designed my cover and submitted the novel to an editor.
A couple days ago, I got the edited copy. I must admit that I opened the file with great trepidation. Had all the time I spent searching the Internet for answers to my writing questions been worth it? Had I learned anything in those months? I knew the first four books I had written were not worth the paper they were printed on, but had I overcome some of the mistakes writers make? And, I had an author friend assist me in the initial editing of the novel (the friend was the one who recommended most of the changes I made to how I wrote).
When I submitted the novel to the publishing company, I was asked if I was comfortable with the editing that had been done, or would I allow my novel to be professionally edited. I thought it was a good novel, but I was also interested in seeing how a pro would evaluate it.
When I finally started looking at the editing, I was amazed, perhaps even flabbergasted. The vast majority of mistakes were simply adding a comma where one was not needed. There were five instances where the editor did not understand what I was saying, and requested it be rewritten for clarification.
I have reported on my research within these pages. And now, I can report that it appears all of the research has actually assisted me in becoming a better author. I don’t know if I am a good author, yet, but I am a better author than I was a year ago. If The Alberta Connection, a Ryce Dalton novel becomes a success, perhaps I can some day report I am a good author.
R. Clint Peters. I agree with your blog. My publisher sent my novel to a very nice woman for editing. She re-paragraphed somr of the book which I appreciated, but she edited it into UK English when I had specifically stated that my main market was to be the US. Sometimes it would be better if publishers learned how to read.
that is a good point for any of the rest of us who decide to have an editor or publisher help us. IN reviewing books by UK authors, I have to overlook certain words and phrases and often don’t know what they mean, so just leave them.
Very interesting post. I hadn`t thought of doing a pull and restart. It sounds like you did the right thing. No doubt all of these experiences will finally add up for you. `Not worth the paper they were written on` sounds a bit harsh but just goes to show how with time and experience we do improve!
Good for you. What publisher and editor did you finally submit it to and have you republished it on Amazon then? Or how did it work?