Meagan’s Comments (group member since Jul 28, 2014)

Meagan’s comments from the Free book editing/beta reading group.

Hello, it sounds like you have an interesting novel there. I don't claim to be an expert on biblical/spiritual-based stories, but I have worked on a couple and should know enough to go on. At very least I can certainly help with all the other aspects of editing and could recommend someone else more "expert" on biblical themes should the need arise.

I'm just working on another manuscript at the moment but can get started in the next week or so. (Let me know if you are working on a specific time frame.) You can send your book to me at typochondriac@mail.com. If you like working with track changes then please send a Word/.doc file. And feel free to ask any questions you may have about the editing process :)

Thanks!

Hi Angela. Congratulations on finishing your first book! I'd be happy to help with editing the manuscript.

The editing process may sound a bit daunting, but it's really not. It's essentially a lot of back-and-forth until both the author and editor feel it's the best it can be.

Most book editors, including myself, offer substantial, line and copy editing/proofreading. Substantial editing looks at the book as a whole for areas plot, character development, structure, dialogue, setting, and others elements that could be improved. A good line edit determines whether a stronger word or phrase could be used, strengthens for active voice, removes wordiness, etc. And you know what a proofread is.

So when you hire an editor you can tell them exactly what kind of editing you want done. Or many writers will hand over the manuscript and ask for a complete edit--that's what I recommend doing. Beta reading is essentially the same thing, just a little more informal.

This is just a quick overview so I can certainly answer any other questions or concerns you have. Or if you'd like to move forward with an edit, send along your manuscript to typochondriac@mail.com. Thanks!