Last week I announced I was once again on the hunt for the elusive editorial partner for my WIP. The following is the results of my experience with Reedsy, a database of freelance professionals with a focus on the publishing industry.
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Using Reedsy’s filters and resulting profiles as a guide, I submitted a brief summary of An Uncertain Confidence to five potential editors. In my brief, I made sure to include a deadline for when I would like responses back as well as my manuscripts first few pages.
I suppose I could have picked any part of my manuscript for sampling, but I figured it made the most sense to send the beginning as those pages will also be the most important for attracting would-be readers in the coming weeks and therefore, need to be as polished as possible.
I received my first response within a day of hitting the send button and nervously hit open.
She wouldn’t be able to meet the schedule as defined in my brief but was willing to provide a quote if I had some flexibility. I did the math in my head. If I said yes, I might as well say no to publishing this year. It was an option, to be sure, but not one I was comfortable with, especially knowing I had four more responses to go.
I declined her offer but left the door open for future collaboration as I appreciated how quick and professional she was in her response.
The next day I received my second response. It was a no-bid with an explanation that the editor was not taking on new projects at this time. It was disappointing but understandable. At this time, Reedsy offered to send my bid out to additional freelancers if I so choose.
Just as I was beginning to feel like an idiot for not lining up my editor in advance, I received the third response, and this time it was a quote. I hit the open button.
I might have been more prepared to expect had I read a recent Reedsy blog post on the costs of self-publishing before I’d sent my brief.
On the positive side, she’d included a sample edit of my early pages, was professional, and supportive. It was easy to envision how much better my writing would become as a result. However, it was the kind of price that forces you to have a serious heart-to-heart with yourself about your book baby and its potential for return on investment.
There’s still a chance, I told myself, staring at my response dashboard like a person playing a game of Russian Roulette. I still have a few more bids to go.
To be continued …
Allie Potts 
I’m following your process and went to read the costs page. I knew it cost in the thousands to self-publish but didn’t realize that genre influenced the price. Nor did I realize that there were different levels of editing services available, although it makes sense. I wonder how soon and at what price your remaining offers will be? I’m sure you do, too.
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Yeah, self-publishing can be fast, but if you do it right, it sure isn’t cheap.
I suspect the difference has something to do with the average words per genre. My science fiction series, for example, is longer than my women’s fiction series as I have to describe the world and its rules versus simply being able to say ‘Charlotte picked up the phone.’
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Gosh. Frustrating. I feel your pain. I sunk 2K on an editor who said she could hook me up with agents afterward. Guess what? Still no agent. Another writer blogger told me about Operation Awesome and https://misssnarksfirstvictim.blogspot.com/p/secret-agent.html, two blogs for writers with contests you can enter and get some feedback. I’ve learned a lot from reading writerly blogs. And have I told you about the book Self-Editing for Fiction Writers? Are you going for traditionally publishing, or do you just want your book ready for self-pub?
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You did mention that one and it was an excellent recommendation!
I wouldn’t mind being a hybrid author one day, but as this book is the sequel to a self-published book, its probably not the one to open that door for me. Then again it could become a breakout hit and prove me wrong.
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very gripping; hope yo find something within your price range…
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As do I! At least no one can say I am not trying my best.
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Thanks for sharing this journey and your experiences, Allie. I’m not surprised that the cost forced you to sit back for a bit and think about next steps. Sigh. It is expensive. I’m curious to learn about what you decide and how it works out in the end. 🙂
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I have found there are a million different ways to lose money in this industry 🙂
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Lol. Yes! But think of all the fun we’re having.
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fun. riiiiiigggghhhhhhtttt 🙂
Always worth it though when you see that book in hand.
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Ha ha ha. Yep. That makes it all worth it.
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Interesting post, Allie. It is important to find the right person to edit your book at the right price. I look forward to reading what happens next.
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It’s becoming an ever evolving story!
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I’m really interested to hear how this all shakes out for you, having never bothered with a professional editing service before. I think it’s a smart move on your part, but yeah…probably cost-prohibitive for me. Good luck though!
And btw, when sending sample chapters of your manuscript they always say to send the first few rather than a random batch in the middle of your book.
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The tiny bit of rebel in me wanted to pick pages at random for giggles, but logic prevailed.
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